The ability to get good grades actually starts before the first day of class with your course selections. While each course of study has its own set of prerequisites, you should make sure that you choose classes that you are capable of mastering. Avoid settling for courses because that’s what’s available and select those courses that you have a better degree of success in.
For example, most colleges have required prerequisites in the core subjects; they are usually English, math, science, and language. But the college you choose will have a variety of subjects in each of those areas. To cover your math requirements, you may have a choice between basic math, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, etc. By choosing the course that you are most familiar with you lay the groundwork to build on in future classes. If a course in statistics is necessary in your course of study, make sure that you lay the groundwork first in easier classes to ensure that you have better grades in the future.
Study With Commitment
It is expected that you study at least an hour or two for each class that you have but remember, it’s not the quantity of time you commit to the study but the quality. If your study habits require you to filter the information through phone calls, TV shows, and constant chatter and interruptions, it’s going to show up in your grades. You need to find the right “study environment” and avoid distractions as much as possible.
Prepare for Exams
Every student understands the importance of studying for exams ahead of time but do more than just read over the material you’ve already covered. Whenever possible, take practice exams to measure your understanding of the material being covered. Utilize your class handouts, old test papers, and study guides, to build your own practice test if none are available. Don’t let the class exam be the first time you learn how well you’re doing.
Use Reliable Resources
When preparing essays and other written papers, make sure that the resources you choose are reliable. Avoid going to the Internet and hitting the first source you find online, which is usually a Wikipedia or a discussion forum. Instead, dig a little deeper and seek out scholarly materials and reference papers that can clearly deliver what your professor is looking for. If at all possible, ask for help from your professor, study your assignment sheet, and ask questions that can guide you in the direction of the proper resources you need to produce a quality paper.
Finally, it is important to recognize that good grades go beyond the scores you receive on assignments and exams you take throughout the year. By having a good attitude and actually be “present” in class, even the most difficult of courses can be mastered. Your test scores will reflect what you have been learning in your studies, so don’t let negative talk from family and friends sabotage your efforts to excel. Improving your grades does not have to be a challenge when you have the right approach in every subject you take.