Getting good grades gives you more opportunities. If you’re in high school, good grades gain admittance to better colleges and to study more challenging majors. If you’re in college, good grades open more doors to graduate programs or to a higher salary.

Grades matter! It’s super important to take these skills seriously NOW!

Study smarter and earn better grades with the following tips:

1. Study daily. 

Learning anything is much easier if done with great frequency. A few minutes each day is more effective than one long study session. Create a schedule for each day and plan your study times with creates small manageable bites of information instead of huge impossible chunks.

2. Pay attention to what the instructor says. 

The instructor will teach what they consider to be most important. While it would be nice to know every fact in the textbook, what the teacher chooses to share is usually what’s on the test.

3. Avoid cramming. 

Most college students skip sleep to spend all night studying or writing papers. Big mistake! You can’t learn, retain, and recall it all at once. You’ll also be exhausted when it’s time to take the test. Besides, your brain needs time to rest and recuperate. Studies show that learning is solidified during rest times. Plan NOT to cram; study daily.

4. Study where you will be tested. 

If you study in the same room where you’ll take the test, you’ll remember more at test time. When possible, try to match the conditions of your studying and test-taking.

5. Attend class like your grades depend on it. 

They do! It’s hard to make good grades if you’re skipping class. Period. You’re also more likely to catch a break if the instructor knows you’ve been attending class regularly. So, in addition to attending class, create rapport with the instructor.

6. Share notes with a buddy.

Maybe your notes are perfect, but then again, maybe they’re not. Swap notes with a buddy or two and see if you captured all the relevant information. Update your notes as needed.

Getting good grades isn’t much more challenging than getting poor grades and it’s certainly less stressful!

_________________

Juniors: 

Your study habits are so important this year due to balancing your college process with extracurriculars and a social life. Mastering these skills will help you master all three.

Seniors:

If you have not mastered these skills by now, DO IT! You will thank yourself later.

It will benefit you to make the most of your schooling, whether it’s required or by choice. Maximize the value of the time you spend in school by getting good grades. It has a big impact on your future.