Photo credit to studentsover30.com
I talked about this a little bit before in a previous post, but I thought I would go into a little more detail. Getting good grades in high school may have been hard enough, but in college it gets worse. It isn't the material that gets that much harder, it is just that you get way more homework. Despite the transition and avalanche of work, I was able to get straight A's last semester (my first semester of college). You can do it to! Here's how:
1. BUY A PLANER!
For some people this may seem obvious, but writing down all your assignments is a great way to remember them. A big part of getting good grades is turning your homework in on time. A planner helps remind you so you don't forget homework. Also, I use my planner to write in schedule changes so that I can plan my homework time around them. It is extremely helpful.
2. Get started on your homework the day it is assigned
Okay, most people in high school have the same class every day at the same time. In college, you class schedule alternates each day; you may have one class Monday, Wednesday, Friday and another Tuesday, Thursday. With a day in between classes, it can be really tempting to put off homework until the night before. DON'T DO THAT! You are going to have homework in other classes that day and it can be really stressful to have two days worth of homework to do in such a short time. Just get started early.
3. Do homework early in the day
I personally prefer to get as much homework done as possible during my lunch hour. I would definitely suggest it. I usually eat my lunch in my room, which takes less than 15 minutes, then I plow through the homework from my morning classes. Let's be honest, your lunch hour is mostly dead space anyways, and you will be happier if you have more time in the afternoon to hang out with friends. Most days I'm done with all my homework before 5. Then I have a ton of time to watch Netflix!
4. Figure out how your brain works
When I study, I use notecards. I have already talked about this in a previous point. A huge thing about getting good grades is figuring out the fastest way that you can learn. Because I found what works for me, I can get away with studying for a test the day before (except with German...). If you don't know how your brain works, start out with notecards. A lot of people find them helpful.
5. Don't pull all nighters
Get your homework done during the day. If you don't sleep you are going to have a much harder time the next day. It just spirals downward from there. Even staying up until midnight doing homework is not good for you. Plus, who wants to do that anyways?
6. Don't freak out during tests
Anxiety makes you mess up. Just relax, take a deep breath, and think. You'll do fine.
7. Utilize tutoring and office hours
No matter how smart you are, one subject or another is bound to trip you up a little. Understand this: there is no shame in going to tutoring. It doesn't mean that you are stupid, it means that you are smart enough to go find someone to practice material with. I try to go to music theory tutoring as often as I can. It helps to have someone to plunk out melodies on the piano so that I can practice dictations. Tutoring and office hours help your understand the material better, and creates better relationships with your teachers.
8. Last but not least: GET ON YOUR TEACHER'S GOOD SIDE!
This is so important. You cannot slack off in class, be rude to the teacher, or neglect your homework. You have to create a good impression. The best way to do it is to try looking genuinely interested in the topic and be actively involved in class. Ask questions about the material and make the teacher feel like they are contributing to your own personal interests. Talk to them! Most teachers are pretty nice!
That's all for now! What are some of your methods of getting good grades? Tell me by commenting below!
1. BUY A PLANER!
For some people this may seem obvious, but writing down all your assignments is a great way to remember them. A big part of getting good grades is turning your homework in on time. A planner helps remind you so you don't forget homework. Also, I use my planner to write in schedule changes so that I can plan my homework time around them. It is extremely helpful.
2. Get started on your homework the day it is assigned
Okay, most people in high school have the same class every day at the same time. In college, you class schedule alternates each day; you may have one class Monday, Wednesday, Friday and another Tuesday, Thursday. With a day in between classes, it can be really tempting to put off homework until the night before. DON'T DO THAT! You are going to have homework in other classes that day and it can be really stressful to have two days worth of homework to do in such a short time. Just get started early.
3. Do homework early in the day
I personally prefer to get as much homework done as possible during my lunch hour. I would definitely suggest it. I usually eat my lunch in my room, which takes less than 15 minutes, then I plow through the homework from my morning classes. Let's be honest, your lunch hour is mostly dead space anyways, and you will be happier if you have more time in the afternoon to hang out with friends. Most days I'm done with all my homework before 5. Then I have a ton of time to watch Netflix!
4. Figure out how your brain works
When I study, I use notecards. I have already talked about this in a previous point. A huge thing about getting good grades is figuring out the fastest way that you can learn. Because I found what works for me, I can get away with studying for a test the day before (except with German...). If you don't know how your brain works, start out with notecards. A lot of people find them helpful.
5. Don't pull all nighters
Get your homework done during the day. If you don't sleep you are going to have a much harder time the next day. It just spirals downward from there. Even staying up until midnight doing homework is not good for you. Plus, who wants to do that anyways?
6. Don't freak out during tests
Anxiety makes you mess up. Just relax, take a deep breath, and think. You'll do fine.
7. Utilize tutoring and office hours
No matter how smart you are, one subject or another is bound to trip you up a little. Understand this: there is no shame in going to tutoring. It doesn't mean that you are stupid, it means that you are smart enough to go find someone to practice material with. I try to go to music theory tutoring as often as I can. It helps to have someone to plunk out melodies on the piano so that I can practice dictations. Tutoring and office hours help your understand the material better, and creates better relationships with your teachers.
8. Last but not least: GET ON YOUR TEACHER'S GOOD SIDE!
This is so important. You cannot slack off in class, be rude to the teacher, or neglect your homework. You have to create a good impression. The best way to do it is to try looking genuinely interested in the topic and be actively involved in class. Ask questions about the material and make the teacher feel like they are contributing to your own personal interests. Talk to them! Most teachers are pretty nice!
That's all for now! What are some of your methods of getting good grades? Tell me by commenting below!