Improve Your Grades

Even the smartest people eventually "hit the wall," the point at which they're not going to do well unless they have good work habits.

• Attend all your classes.
• Pay attention. Take notes to keep focused. Ignore distractions (e.g. text messages).
• Participate in class discussions.
• Question. If you feel you have too many questions, write them down to ask later.
• Know your instructor. Visit their office at least once.
• Organize. Keep materials, notes, due dates organized and current.
• Prepare for class. Read assigned materials.
• Prepare for tests. Preparation is ongoing. In class, highlight points the instructors seems to stress. Use Post-It notes in texts. Make summaries to facilitate studying for tests and exams.
• Do More. Do recommended as well assigned readings. If the reading list is extensive, form a study group, split up the content. Write and share summaries. Never submit another person's work as your own, but you can share and read other students' notes, summaries or assignments for study purposes.
• Save/File and Back-up completed notes, assignments and tests and work in progress.
• Learn from mistakes. If you don't understand the instructors comments or your results, ask for clarification. What else do you need to know and what else do you need to do, to get better results? Take responsibility for filling in gaps in your knowledge. Be grateful for any feedback you get that can help you improve.
• Schedule your time on a chart by month to balance assignment due dates, part-time work schedules, athletic commitments, etc.
• Order course materials online in advance or buy them as soon as possible. Avoid being the person on the wait-list for sold-out course materials. If you switch courses, try to return course materials promptly.
• Schedule steps for assignment completion.  Pick your topic early, schedule time for preliminary research, meet with your instructor to discuss your topic, get recommendations for resource materials, access research materials, contact an expert in the field, organize notes and refine your thesis and arguments, write the paper, review and edit, have the assignment ready to submit the day before the due date.
• Stay healthy. Get enough sleep, eat well, get help for any physical, mental or emotional issues.
• Work with a partner or study group. Exchange notes, swap ideas for projects, help each other with difficult material, review material before tests. Study groups can bring a social aspect to learning that can keep you interested and achieving, as long as all the members are motivated to do well.
• Get help now. See the instructor, talk to an academic advisor, get a peer tutor, see your doctor, talk to a counselor.  Don't wait till you're so behind/sick/stressed that you feel you're bound to fail. 
• Build a resume. Keep report cards, transcripts, contact information for instructors and coaches. List extra-curricular clubs, sports teams, community groups you've been involved with, competitions you've excelled in (Science Fairs, math tests and writing contests), collect  references for volunteer and paid work you've done.Write a resume and update it periodically.
• Be your own cheerleader.