How to Succeed in the Media Arts 

1) Come to class

Seriously. This may be the biggest factor in your success in high school, but it will definitely be the biggest factor in your success once you go to college and “skipping” class isn’t an issue—other than your own grades and education.

Get in the habit of attending every class and you will never regret it when the grades, recommendations and subsequent job offers come flooding your way.

2) Check the Class Blog.

In those situations where you must miss class, make sure you are checking the Class Blog.

In most cases, everything you need to know about what is going on in class and what you are expected to do is posted there.  Being out of class for a day or two is not an excuse for not knowing what the expectations are.

3) Do your work

Virtually every student who has failed a class in the Media Arts has done so because they didn’t do the assignments.  Understand that missing just one or two assignments can quickly take your grade from an A to a C, miss a few more and you have failed the class.

These classes tend reward students who have already developed or want to develop the independent work skills needed to succeed in college and subsequent careers.

There is sufficient time allowed for every project to be done in class (minimal homework), the students who complete their work stay focused and use their time productively.

4) Read and follow directions.

Simple omissions or ignored parameters can result in an unnecessarily reduced grade.  Everything you need for every assignment should be available on the class Blog.

Check there first. If it’s not, ask whatever questions you need answered in order to complete the project.

It’s your learning—take control of it.

5) Appreciate what you have. 

Even with the technology issues we've been dealing with, you still have the opportunity to work with professional tools in a relatively comfortable, relaxed environment, with a decent amount of independence, on interesting and hopefully challenging projects.

Take advantage of what you've got.