Even the brightest students can sometimes struggle with improving their grades; it is difficult to predict what teachers expect, and it seems that the bar is continually being raised with respect to how we as students are asked to perform in class, on tests, and on standardized reports.
If you are not sure how to improve your GPA and your academic status, here are some simple and effective tips on how you can improve your stats and reach for those academic stars. Follow these tips for studying success:
Adopt a Positive Mental Attitude
Looking at lower than average scores can be very disappointing, and it can be hard to bounce back from those feelings of inadequacy and frustration.
Shaking off the blues and choosing instead to adopt a positive mental attitude toward learning and studying will do wonders for your resolve and your grades. Believe in yourself, practice positive self-talk, and push through even when it’s tougher than you expected. You’ll grow as a student and as a person, and you’ll see an improvement in your performance.
Improve Your Note-Taking Habits
One thing that students citing poor performance struggle with is their organizational skills. With the vast array of tools, tips, and tricks for getting organized, it is now easier than ever to take good notes, keep track of assignments, meet due dates, and get your academic life in order.
Using the notes template is a great way for students to organize class notes for later reference. There are a number of great online tools and apps that help make organizing your homework a snap too.
We know that you have a smartphone and most likely a tablet as well. It’s time to start putting these tools to good use and organize your study life so that you can improve your performance.
Talk to Trusted Advisors
Whether your academic advisor takes the form of a parent or a teacher, you need to speak up and admit that you are struggling. Most teachers maintain flexibility with their grading process and what they are willing to offer their students in order to see them succeed; that is their ultimate goal for you. Work with both your parents and teachers to come up with a plan for success that is workable for all.
Pay Attention and Ask Questions!
If you are prone to spontaneous bouts of daydreaming during class, it’s time to snap out of it. Paying attention, asking questions, and taking detailed notes are all ways to be present and assimilate as much information as you can for the purposes of learning content.
Practice makes perfect; the more you become aware of bad habits that you have allowed to take over your academic life, the more you can work to replace them with healthy study habits and a mindset that keeps you open to learning in the classroom.
Discover Your Best Learning Style
Some people learn best by reading, others by hearing lectures and seminars, and some learn best by doing and performing. Which type of learner are you?
Knowing this is powerful, for it can help you to advocate for yourself if you need something different than what your teachers are currently providing. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need; your teacher should be more than willing to accommodate your learning style and make sure you are primed for success.
Quit Procrastinating!
Quite often, the most common problem for students who struggle in school is that they are prone to procrastination. They put off studying, reading, and completing assignments, only to find themselves frustrated and overwhelmed at the end of each semester when everything comes due.
Set aside time each day to do a little studying, a little writing, a little homework completion, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how smooth the end of your semester can actually go.
Don’t Give Up!
Bad grades are not an excuse to give up. You have limitless potential and can accomplish whatever you set your mind to. Keep your nose in those books, refuse to quit, and invest valuable time in yourself as you realize that you are creating your future through your academic work. The sky’s the limit!
Identity Magazine is all about guiding women to discover their powers of Self-Acceptance, Appreciation, and Personal Achievement.
We ask that every contributor and expert answer the Identity “Get All A’s” questions in keeping with our theme. Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the current article they have written. In that way, and as a team, we hope to encourage and motivate each other, thus inspiring you to Get All A’s.
1. What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? Additionally, what are you still working on accepting? Now, we’re talking about resignation, rather stepping into, embraced, and owned.
That not all will enjoy my writing.
2. What have you learned to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? On the other hand OR in contrast, are there elements of who you are that you’re still working on appreciating?
I appreciate my ability to be creative.
3. What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? Tell us not only what makes YOU most proud but also share the goals and dreams that you still have.
Proud to have a career in writing
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
