Q&A for How to Get Good Grades at University

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  • Question
    How can I get a higher GPA in university?
    Christopher Taylor, PhD
    English Professor
    Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.
    English Professor
    Expert Answer
    Develop a study schedule early on and stick to it. Make sure that you review class material and notes after each class rather than trying to study everything the day before a test.
  • Question
    How can I get higher grades?
    Christopher Taylor, PhD
    English Professor
    Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.
    English Professor
    Expert Answer
    Look at these four methods (understanding course material, utilizing class time wisely, maintaining responsibility, and staying healthy) and identify which areas you can improve.
  • Question
    How do I improve my grades?
    Christopher Taylor, PhD
    English Professor
    Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.
    English Professor
    Expert Answer
    Work on each of the four aspects listed in this article: understanding material, using class time effectively, staying organized and proactive, and keeping up your health.
  • Question
    How do you get straight As all year?
    Christopher Taylor, PhD
    English Professor
    Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.
    English Professor
    Expert Answer
    Earning straight As can be difficult, but you can achieve this if you manage your time well, stay organized, utilize in-class time and office hours, work to understand course material at each step of the way, and maintain a healthy lifestyle that allows you the time and energy to do your schoolwork.
  • Question
    What should I do if I am inconsistent about sticking to one thing for very long and have trouble studying because of it?
    Community Answer
    Break up the studying you need to do into blocks of 30 minutes and alternate different tasks. For example, study biology for 30 minutes, then switch to math for 30 minutes, then switch back to biology or onto another subject, and so on. Take a 5-10 break every hour or so to stretch your legs or grab a healthy snack. Keep reminding yourself how important your grades are so you'll keep your eyes on the prize.
  • Question
    How do I get good grades in the first semester of college?
    Community Answer
    You should study hard and give more time to studying and less to other things like partying. Focus on your classes, that's why you're in college.
  • Question
    How do I manage my time better?
    Community Answer
    Prioritize your assignments based on when they are due. Keep a planner where you record all your due dates, exams, etc., and check it every day. If you have big assignments (long papers, etc.) schedule some time to work on these for a little while each day instead of waiting until the last minute. Don't do any socializing until you've gotten your work done.
  • Question
    How do I balance my studies with extra-curricular activities?
    Community Answer
    Make a detailed timetable of your whole week, devoting a few hours each evening for studying. If you find you cannot keep to this schedule, or your grades are suffering, cut back on the extra-curriculars. Always prioritize your studies.
  • Question
    How many hours can one read per day in order to get best grades?
    Community Answer
    Read as much as you can! Make it a priority.
  • Question
    How can I be organized in college?
    Community Answer
    1. Keep a folder for each class. 2. Always remember to keep papers related to a particular subject in its labelled folder 3. Manage your time by setting specific goals. for instance, when u wake up, take 5 mins to see which classes u have that day. make a list of what u want to achieve that particular day. For example, review lecture 1 economics and redo examples for probability and statistics. At the end of the day, write done if you have completed the tasks. Otherwise it gets carried on to the next day.
  • Question
    How can I improve my grammar?
    Community Answer
    You can read more, as you'll pick up on grammatical rules through reading. You can also talk to a private tutor or a teacher about your concerns. If there is a writing center at your university, try going there to get help with basic grammar.
  • Question
    I just completed my first mechanical engineering term and did no do well, even though I studied a lot. What can I do to deal with the and depression because of this?
    Community Answer
    The first thing you should do is to take care of your mind. Change the way you think. Change your study method and find a better one. Attend all classes and tutorials, and consult if you need help. Also, find yourself a mentor who will take you through the journey.
  • Question
    I have tried studying much harder in my previous semester, but my grades are still low. What should I do to improve my grades?
    Community Answer
    Everyone has unique study styles. Some people learn best when they hear the material read out loud. Others find making pictures, charts, or graphs of the material helps them learn it. Flash cards are helpful to some and burdensome to others. It is great that you are working hard to get good grades. Try to figure out if you are an auditory learner (you learn best by hearing), visual learner (you learn best by seeing), or social learner (you learn best in a group) Remember, nobody is purely one style. Revise your study habits to be most effective for your learning style. Tutoring is also very effective, as is looking hard at whether or not you're doing a course that is right for you––if the passion lacks, sometimes the marks can reflect this. Or, you may just need to really grasp the way of thinking of your chosen degree, that can be helped with tutoring and broader reading.
  • Question
    Is it good to study for at least 3-5 hours a day?
    Hannah Madden
    Community Answer
    Your study time depends on how hard the class is and your workload. If you're taking a super tough class, 3-5 hours might be necessary. However, for most university classes, 30 minutes to 1 hour per day should be enough.
  • Question
    How do I stay motivated?
    Hannah Madden
    Community Answer
    Remind yourself of the bigger picture. You're working toward a goal of graduating university; after that, it's finding a job. Even though an assignment might feel like it's too difficult or too boring to do, it's a small stepping stone toward your future.
  • Question
    How do you get a 4.0 GPA?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    The truth is, if you want to get straight As and a perfect GPA, you can do it! It's not a secret. Stick to the basics and the fundamentals. Go to every class, take notes, and participate. If you're unsure about something, ask questions so you have a more complete understanding. Do all the homework and complete the assigned reading. If your teacher recommends any additional work or supplemental reading, do it! You can set yourself up for success simply by doing everything your teacher assigns and asking for help if you're struggling with something.
  • Question
    How can I get good grades easily?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    You may already know that studying is an important part of doing well in class, but try changing the way you study. Instead of putting it off until you have a test coming up (or worse, trying to cram the night before), try studying a little bit every day. Take some time to review your notes and study the concepts you went over in class at the end of each day. It doesn't have to be for hours. Just a solid 10-15 minutes to look over everything and help reinforce it in your mind. In the long term, you'll be much more knowledgeable about the course material. So when it comes time for tests and exams, you'll be able to review the more difficult or complicated areas and you'll be well prepared.
  • Question
    How can I study less and get better grades?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    While you really can't get around studying to get better grades, there are other things you can do in addition to studying to give your grades a boost. For starters, you can go to every class to learn the material and ask your teacher questions about things you aren't sure of. You can also take quality notes and keep all of your materials well organized so when you do need to review something, it's easy to find. It's also important to take care of your mind so you can absorb the information you learn in class. Make sure you're eating well, getting some exercise, and sleeping for at least 8 hours every night. Not getting enough sleep can affect your ability to concentrate and retain new information.
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