First things first — your grades are not an indication of your intelligence. That said, if you’re not getting the grades you want, there are some simple ways to get there. Earning high marks is about working smarter, not harder. Do that, and you’ll find that getting better grades is easier than you thought.
Study Your Own History
Take the time to review what you already know about your academic performance. Compile your previous grades in each class and examine why you earned those grades. Did you lose points for late or missing homework assignments? Were you underprepared for a test or class presentation? Were you too liberal with grammar rules in your essays? If you’re stumped about some grades, don’t be afraid to talk to your teachers — they can provide valuable feedback on your work and offer tips for how you can get ahead.
Make a Plan
Once you’ve identified the reasons for your grades, look for the best way to turn things around. Keep in mind that you may have more than one issue to tackle. Start by plotting your course of action. Changing your study habits may involve setting aside extra time each night to work on math or getting up early to review for a test. To make your new approach feel more real, write it down. Putting your new routine on paper will also help you visualize how you’re using your time, ensure you still fit in extracurricular activities, and most importantly increase your chance of following through. A written plan gives you an outline of how you’ll spend your time, but it doesn’t end there. Get — and stay — organized to ensure you can stay on track. Think about color-coding your notes, working on the hardest assignments first, or setting a specific amount of time to work on each assignment. Figure out a process that works for you and stick to it.
Ask for Help
Whether it’s from a teacher, parent, study buddy, or tutor, getting help can be the difference between a decent grade and a great one. Take advantage of after-school help, online study sessions, and office hours. This time provides you more direct access to your teachers and shows them how hard you are working. Many teachers take this into account when it comes to final grades. A tutor can also provide you with one-on-one instruction that can help you master the material at your own pace or perhaps in a different way than it’s taught in class. Working with a tutor also allows you the opportunity to ask as many questions as needed to fully understand a topic.
Put in the Work
Let’s face it, top grades don’t just happen — they are the results of hard work. Be sure you go to class and show up for tutoring appointments or office hours. Being present in the classroom is the best way to access the information you need to do well. That’s why many teachers make attendance and participation part of your final grade. Showing up is an easy way to get points, and those points could be just what you need to get the grade you want.
In addition to tweaking your study plan, a key to academic success is believing in yourself. If you don’t believe you can succeed, you won’t. Have the confidence to know that you are taking the necessary steps to improve, and that while your grades may not rise dramatically overnight, they will trend upward.
ON TOPIC
It’s not uncommon for students who easily achieved good grades in elementary and middle school to find their study habits don’t quite cut it in high school and beyond. When suddenly faced with academic challenges, students can lose confidence. But don’t give up. By being more aware of your time management and replacing bad habits with good ones, you’ll soon be on the path to less stress and more classroom success.
Don’t Overcommit
While it’s important to get involved at school, be careful not to say yes to everything. To be sure you can handle both schoolwork and outside commitments, it’s important to find a time management method that works for you. For example, you could use a spreadsheet to break out your day into blocks of hours with study time clearly delineated. Update the plan to budget more study time when exams or projects are scheduled. Approach your plan in a way that provides balance, like time with friends and family. Once you have a method in place, you must hold yourself to that schedule. If you skip an hour of studying one day, find a way to make it up another time. Prioritize your education and be disciplined.
Chat with Teachers
Initiate conversations with your teachers about the subject matter, even if you’re not having difficulty. Many professors are actively engaged with the material they’re teaching and excited to share more of their knowledge than classroom time allows. Showing initiative and taking time to talk with your teachers will allow you to more thoroughly grasp the key points. This is especially true for graduate students who are expected to be scholars in their fields.
Keep Trying
Make room to learn every day. Habit is the root of all behavior, so do your best to hone those that strengthen your performance and remove habits that make you weaker. No one excels at everything all the time. If you fail, don’t give up. Instead, learn from what went wrong and adjust the plan. You’ve got this!
