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At the University of St. Thomas, we provide many services to support your success in college and beyond, including academic advising and tutoring. Here, I discuss with a student how to get good grades and achieve his academic goals.<\/p><\/div>\n
1. Understand the Difference Between a High School “A” and a College “A”<\/h3>\n
A college “A” is much harder to achieve than a high school “A”. As director of Academic Advising, I frequently hear: \u201cI didn\u2019t expect college to be so hard!\u201d This shock is largely because college grades are not configured using bonus points. Your chances of getting a 70 that yields 80 points or a “B” that rounds up to an “A” are slim. One of the most essential study habits for college students I can give you is to overstudy and then peel back if necessary.<\/p>\n
College is about mastering the material. UST in an elite university, and our curriculum is demanding. You\u2019re going to be required to read and write here more extensively than at other universities, priming you to become a critical thinker and have a successful career. Get in the mindset now that you are working and focusing on doing your best every day.<\/p>\n
2. Get Familiar with the Syllabus<\/h3>\n
A syllabus is not a throwaway document. At the college level, a syllabus is basically a contract between you and your professor, so it deserves a close look. Along with test dates, reading material and deadlines for major assignments, a syllabus also often explains your professor\u2019s individual grading system, helping you understand how to get good grades throughout the semester.<\/p>\n
3. Provide an “A”-Level Frame of Reference<\/h3>\n
Get your professor to associate you with “A”-level performance. When the professor thinks of you, they should associate you with the type of student who cares and takes their class seriously. If you miss class or show up late, you\u2019re telling the professor you don\u2019t care about the course, your grade or your future.<\/p>\n
Always be on time and arrive with all your supplies ready to go. Plan ahead, even when life threatens to get in the way, and show your professors you prioritize your education.<\/p>\n
4. Manage Your Time Wisely<\/h3>\n
Perhaps one of the most important study habits for college students, effective time management will help you maintain that “A”, instead of just leaving it on the table. You may be confident you\u2019ll do well in a subject in which you\u2019ve always excelled, but that\u2019s where you might get sloppy and start scoring “B\u2019s”, “C\u2019s” or even lower.<\/p>\n
I can summarize my best advice to you in three steps:<\/p>\n
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- Strike a healthy balance between social time and study time.<\/strong> You don\u2019t want to cut out all socializing or you\u2019ll burn out, but you also need to prioritize studying and grades.<\/li>\n
- Be in the moment.<\/strong> When you\u2019re at school, focus on learning. When you\u2019re home and finished with studying, enjoy your free time.<\/li>\n
- Budget your time.<\/strong> Scientific evidence shows that procrastinating and working under pressure isn\u2019t an effective technique \u2013 it\u2019s just a bad habit. Be smart with your schedule and you\u2019ll produce much higher-quality work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
5. Repetition Is Key<\/h3>\n
When you learned the \u201cAlphabet Song\u201d as a kid, you retained the alphabet in your memory because repetition works. In college, the necessity of repetition is unchanged but requires added diligence because your professor will not backtrack.<\/p>\n
After taking notes in class, sit down and rewrite your notes out again at home. Don\u2019t just review! Make sure your notes are complete and compare them with the content of your textbook to make sure you comprehend the material before you take an exam or write an essay.<\/p>\n
6. Access Supplementary Resources<\/h3>\n
If you look to supplementary resources, it doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re struggling. Reaching out just means you\u2019re adding to your study skills toolbox. At UST, you have a few options:<\/p>\n
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- Visit Your Professor<\/strong> \u2013 Visiting your professor during their office hours is a great way for them to meet you and see that you are dedicated to learning. Plus, you can ask them questions that may help clarify concepts in class.<\/li>\n
- Check Out Tutoring<\/strong> \u2013 Use tutoring services to get an edge on a subject. For example, help with grammar may go a long way towards impressing professors who are sticklers about comma splices and dangling participles.<\/li>\n
- Sample Study Groups<\/strong> \u2013 Although you shouldn\u2019t rely on study groups, I do encourage you to join one. Different students take notes using different methods, possibly covering more information than you absorbed on your own.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
7. Be Savvy About Grade Curving and Bonus Points<\/h3>\n
We don\u2019t have an official policy on grade curving at UST, but some professors use this method. It\u2019s not always outlined in the syllabus, so be aware of this practice and aim for the “A+”.<\/p>\n
Also, although college grades aren\u2019t calculated using a bonus point system, extra points may sometimes be available to you. Some profs might offer bonuses for attending a play or doing extra work. Don\u2019t wait on these perks to save a failing grade, but do take advantage of easy points if a professor offers them.<\/p>\n
8. Stay Realistic<\/h3>\n
A strong GPA is not only your golden ticket to grad programs or internships, but it\u2019s also usually required to maintain your scholarship. Can you realistically achieve the grades required in all classes to maintain your GPA? Are you able to do all the work required? If it looks like you\u2019re going to make mostly “C\u2019s” or low “B\u2019s”, come see me so we can work together and figure out a plan. This may involve changing some classes or going to tutoring to improve your grades. We can work it out so you can make progress in the right direction.<\/p>\n
Arm Yourself with Stellar Study Habits to Get Great Grades<\/h3>\n
Getting straight “A\u2019s” is truly a rewarding honor that comes only with excellence and diligence. By practicing these tips on how to study and knowing how to get good grades, you\u2019ll have a better chance of maintaining a high GPA and advancing academically.<\/p>\n
If you have any questions about how to get good grades or need advice on achieving your scholastic goals, come see me in the UST Academic Advising office<\/a>. Together, we can help you achieve greatness!<\/p>\n
- Check Out Tutoring<\/strong> \u2013 Use tutoring services to get an edge on a subject. For example, help with grammar may go a long way towards impressing professors who are sticklers about comma splices and dangling participles.<\/li>\n
- Be in the moment.<\/strong> When you\u2019re at school, focus on learning. When you\u2019re home and finished with studying, enjoy your free time.<\/li>\n