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You can Get Better Grades! Here’s how:

July 8, 2009

Although my grades are quite satisfactory, I am one of the many students who are still struggling to do well in school. And everyday, I meet fellow students who ask me some tips on how to get better grades. Here are some that I’ve learned from the internet, from my friends and from my own experiences in my 13 years of education.  

1. Don’t just aim to pass. Aiming to pass is like just trying to keep afloat in a swimming race. It’s pointless and lame. Pointless because there are hundreds and even thousands of people who will graduate by the same time you do and you will be competing for the same jobs. Who do you think will the employers hire the passer or the topnotcher? And remember: “If you reach for the roof and fall, you land on the ground. But if you reach for the sky and fall, you land on the roof.”

2. Challenge yourself. Just like what Julie (one of my classmates) said, compete with yourself. Be more intelligent today than you were yesterday. Push yourself to the limit. You never really know just how far or how high you can go unless you try.

3. Read in advance. If you already know the lesson even before the instructor discusses it, you’ll have a big advantage over your classmates who will be hearing the lesson for the first time.

4. Review early. Review a lot! Why wait for the day before the quiz to review if you can review now? This is what I always say: when we review, we have a lot to gain and nothing to lose. Ignore those people who claim that they can pass even without reviewing. That is rarely true. Sure, you can guess better if you’re smart. But if you’re diligent enough to have read everything, you won’t need to guess. Effort beats intelligence. Trust me.

5. Don’t procrastinate. This is always my problem. I tend to relax a lot and rush when the deadline is near. It’s not a good habit. Try to make the requirements as soon as possible. In that way, you will be able to recheck and recheck your project and will be able to make more revisions if necessary. In that way, you’ll have a higher chance of getting a high score.

6. Don’t get distracted easily. If you have problems or some personal issues bugging you, set a definite time for them and then set a specific time for your studies. Focus. Don’t mix things. You will not be able to learn much while reading if you’re thinking about your ex’s new partner. It’s not how long you study; it’s what you do during that span of time studying. One hour of deep, serious studying is better than an entire day of reading while watching TV, while talking to friends, while daydreaming, while thinking of problems. Well, you get the point.

7. Master your instructors and their styles. Observe where they get exam questions (e.g. their reference material). Check if they repeat questions from previous exams so you’ll know what to review.

8. Be a good test-taker. Just about all college classes have exams, and sometimes the exams are the major portion of your final grade, so it’s important to become a good test-taker. Here are some hints:

  • Know what to expect on exams. Every professor has a style of test development, so obtain old copies or ask the professor directly. Know the types of questions that will be asked — as well as the content that will be covered.
  • Read questions carefully and plan answers. Take your time at the beginning of the test to read through all the instructions and make a plan of attack.
  • Pace yourself so you have plenty of time to complete all parts. And know the point v alues of questions, so you can be sure to complete the most important ones first in case time does run out.
  • Ask questions. If you don’t understand something, or need clarification of the question, ask the professor. Don’t wait to get the exam back and find you answered a question the wrong way.

This is all for now. I’ll try to add more tips later.

 

Posted by kablogg at 10:11 am | permalink

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