My mother looked at card, then at me. "How could you be getting a 'D' in Earth Science?"

Some students have a natural ability for academics. They receive excellent marks, yet rarely crack open their textbooks. Others have to study night and day to get same marks. It’s not that some students are smart, and others are dumb. It is a matter of tapping into what study methods work for each student.

Here are seven ways you can study more effectively and improve your grades:

Track Assignments

The first step is to keep track of assignments. Some loose-leaf binders come with school-year or all-year calendars. If you don’t find one you like, consider buying a teachers' planning calendar from an office supply store. It can be inserted into front of your binders and used to record assignments. Your teachers may provide you with assignment sheets. These sheets can be slipped in front of calendar. The day assignments and tests are announced, work out a study schedule.

Commit To A Regular Time And Place For Homework

You should study every day to continue to make progress. Homework time doesn't have to be a hassle if you are flexible with your schedule. Some students like to start their homework right after school. With their homework finished, they are free to go out or watch television. Other students prefer to relax first, then do their homework with a fresh perspective. Once you have committed to a homework time, stick to it.

Where you study is as important as setting a regular study time. You may enjoy studying at your bedroom desk or lying on floor in living room. No matter where you study, environment should be noise-free and well-lighted. You should be able to spread out your books and papers. Also make sure you have all supplies you need within your reach.

Be Conscientious

Every night make sure your homework is done, is correct and is orderly. Neat homework and projects earn higher grades. In business world, if you make a sloppy presentation, you will lose client's account. Also turn your homework in on time.

After test and assignments are handed back, sit down with them and see where you made mistakes. Why were errors made and how could you prevent similar errors in future? Write notes on assignments and tests. Make a file for test and notes, for cumulative tests later.

Use Memorization Techniques

Matthew 12:36 says “But I tell you that men will have to give account on day judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” I don't know about you, but I think it's time to get our mouths in order.

According to Proverbs 18:21, death and life are in power of tongue. Deuteronomy 30:19 makes it even clearer by saying “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”

When God created world, Genesis 1:3 says “And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.” He gave you that same power to speak things into existence. You might be thinking "how is that possible?"

Mark 11:23 states "I tell you truth, if anyone says to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.” According to this verse, you can have what you say--negative or positive. Throughout Bible, especially in Proverbs, God speaks about our mouths.

James 3:3-10 shows us that our tongues are like a bit in a horse's mouth. With that bit in place, you can control animal, turn it any way you want it to go. Or like a ship that can be steered by a small rudder. Our tongues are little, but they can contaminate our whole bodies and lives of others around us.

We are only creatures created by God that can choose what we say. Although a parrot can talk, he can't choose words that come out of his mouth. He only repeats what he hears. Verse 9 notes “With tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.” and Verse 10--”Out of same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.”

In church or around godly friends, we praise God and talk about what Bible says. When we arrive home, when we are in a jam--lost our car keys, , had an argument or our teenage daughter announces she's pregnant, we complain, gossip and, believe it or not, we even curse people and ourselves with our words. Have you ever called a person "stupid," said you wished they were dead or that you were never born? Those are all word curses.