The grades you earn in both high school and college have enormous implications, as they can greatly influence what will be the next stage in your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For high school students, the grades on your transcript will play a big role in where you\u2019ll attend college. And for those already pursuing undergraduate degrees, your grades can determine everything from the scholarships you\u2019re eligible for to the jobs you may earn after graduation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But achieving grades that you\u2019re confident will set you up for success is no simple task. It takes motivation, accountability, and, most importantly, effective strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With that in mind, we at The University Network (TUN) have put together a list of tips that will help you effectively strategize and, in turn, earn grades you’re proud of and confident in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start off the term by asking yourself, \u201cwhat do I want out of this?\u201d Answering this question will help you set specific, realistic goals and give you some motivation to work your hardest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re a high school student with aspirations to go to the prestigious Duke University, for example, look up Duke\u2019s admissions requirements. If you\u2019re early on in your high school career, this will give you an idea of the types of courses you should take and the grades you need to make. If you\u2019re already an upperclassmen, knowing the admissions requirements will help you honestly and accurately assess whether attending Duke is still a realistic option. If it\u2019s not, you can move onto the next school you\u2019re interested in and set your goals based on its requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if you\u2019re an undergraduate student, are you doing everything you can to learn the skills that will set you up for success in your career? Do you have aspirations to continue your education after earning your undergraduate degree? If so, are you earning the grades that will qualify you to be admitted to the school you want to go to? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are all the questions you should ask yourself at the beginning, and throughout the duration of, each academic term. Once you establish overarching goals, you can begin to develop a more detailed plan on how to achieve them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first step to academic success is creating a schedule, developing a routine, and sticking to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAny student\u2019s academic success is built on a foundation of time management. It\u2019s nearly impossible to do well in classes without a routine, a way to balance priorities, and a system for planning ahead,\u201d UNC Chapel Hill\u2019s Learning Center explains in a tip sheet<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As soon as you get your syllabi, write down all of the important dates in a calendar, planner, or notebook. But don\u2019t stop there. Also make sure to jot down all of your outside engagements to make sure there isn\u2019t a conflict. For example, if you have a baseball game on the same day that your mid-term paper is due, you\u2019ll recognize that early on and make a note to finish the paper a day or two early. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A big part of time management is also knowing how to use your time most effectively. For example, if you have the most brain power early on in the day, that is when you should schedule your most difficult and demanding assignments. Later in the day, when you\u2019re worn out, is when you can do tasks you are more comfortable with and confident that you\u2019ll be able to complete without exerting too much energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no universal approach to studying, as what works best for you depends on your unique strengths and weaknesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Visual learners, for example, may benefit from making flashcards, while auditory learners may retain information best by listening to recordings of lectures, lessons, or classroom discussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And those who feel particularly anxious or weighed down by the thought of studying may benefit from using the Pomodoro study method. The method uses a timer to break down studying into intervals of 25 minutes with short breaks in between. During the breaks you can get on your phone, take a walk around the block, or make a quick bite to eat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But, no matter your preferred method of studying, you should always make an effort to actively engage your brain, rather than just going through the motions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re creating a study guide, for example, UNC Chapel Hill\u2019s Learning Center suggests writing down as much as you can from memory before using your notes to fill in the gaps. This will help you better understand what you do and don\u2019t know so that you can focus your studies effectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And after a little while, when you think you have a decent grasp on the information, try to \u201cbecome a teacher\u201d by explaining the material to a friend or even back to yourself, UNC suggests. Metacognition, which is reflectively thinking about what you do and don\u2019t know, is key to making your study efforts effective, UNC adds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more study tips, check here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For tips on how to study without the stress and anxiety, check here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n High school and college are really busy times, full of distractions. Occasionally, things will pop up that may intrigue you to put your studies aside for a moment. Maybe, during the time you allot yourself to study, you get a text from your friend asking if you want to go to the beach. Other times, you may completely lack motivation and can\u2019t make yourself get up from the couch to move to your desk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Putting your commitments aside every now and then to go with your friends to the beach or watch one more episode on the couch, for example, can be freeing and rewarding. But, you shouldn\u2019t make a habit of it, as your grades may start to suffer as a result. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTraining yourself to do work even if you don\u2019t necessarily feel super inspired in the moment is a skill that takes a lot of time to develop. It\u2019s kind of like working out a muscle. So it really comes down a lot to practicing method,\u201d Jasmine, a study influencer on Instagram, told TUN<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Good note-taking is key to achieving your academic goals in both high school and college. No matter how well you pay attention in class, if you don\u2019t have a photographic memory, chances are you\u2019ll need your notes to refresh your mind before that exam, quiz, or writing assignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve yet to establish a good note-taking system, it may benefit you to try out either the Cornell note-taking method or bullet journaling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cornell note-taking involves separating a sheet of paper into three separate sections. Draw one line vertically about 2.5 inches from the left side of the notebook paper, and draw a horizontal line about 2 inches from bottom of the sheet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest space (the top right section) is where you should take your in-class notes. The space on the left side is called the \u201ccue column.\u201d The cue column is where you jot down important vocabulary words, main concepts, and other important materials that might show up on the test or exam. It\u2019s best to do this when the class is fresh in your mind, so you should aim to fill the cue column right after class. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The bottom section is the \u201csummary section.\u201d This is where you write a brief summary highlighting the main points. This section is supposed to be primarily organizational and help you determine what is on each sheet of paper when reviewing for the test later on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another note-taking method that has become popular recently is known as bullet journaling. It\u2019s a customizable DIY technique that includes using a blank-page notebook to artistically organize your notes and daily tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe main purpose of bullet journaling is that it is a completely customizable system that you design yourself,\u201d Jasmine told TUN<\/a>. \u201cSo you decide how many pages you want to take up in your notes or what type of time frame you want your planner to be based around. It\u2019s all up to you. And that\u2019s the main benefit of this system. You get to decide it yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whichever note-taking method works for you, be sure to be an active note-taker. That means, devote all of your attention to your teacher or professor and try not to break your focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more note-taking tips, check here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being able to read effectively is also a huge part of achieving academic success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Oftentimes, class reading material is dense and can be overwhelming. To minimize the stress and anxiety attached to reading and to help you better retain information, it\u2019s important to engage in \u201cactive reading.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cResearch shows that you retain more when you actively engage and interact with texts, as opposed to simply reading and re-reading without a clear purpose,\u201d UNC Chapel Hill\u2019s Learning Center explains in a separate tip sheet<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMany students can relate to the type of reading that involves copying down pages of notes word-for-word from the text or simply scanning over pages without really reading them or interacting at all,\u201d it adds. \u201cWhile these two approaches are on opposite ends of the spectrum, neither of them engages your brain in a way that elicits deep understanding and retention. Active reading engages your brain in effective strategies that force your brain to interact with the text before, during, and after reading and that help you better gauge what you are (and aren\u2019t) learning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step to active reading is taking time, before you jump into the text, to consider the purpose of the reading assignment, UNC explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What, exactly, does your teacher or professor want you to take away from the reading? What should you understand or be able to do after reading the material?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you start reading, UNC adds, you should keep your brain active and engaged and routinely self-monitor to make sure you\u2019re digesting the material. If it’s material that you\u2019ll be tested on or are required to understand on a deep level, it may benefit you to summarize small sections of the text on a separate sheet of paper and jot down some hard-hitting questions — the ones your professor or teacher may ask in a quiz or test. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After reading, take time to reflect on what you learned and quiz yourself. If something remains unclear, jot down a note to ask your instructor or a classmate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At the beginning of an academic term, it can be tempting to slack off a bit. It\u2019s easy to sit back with the mindset that you have all quarter or semester to get your grades up. But a poor test score, some missed homework assignments, or a couple of failed pop quizzes early on in a term may hurt you more than you think. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You don\u2019t want to spend the second half of the term racing the clock to boost your overall grade before the quarter or semester is over. So, start off strong. Don\u2019t give yourself leeway to make mistakes early on, or you\u2019ll be kicking yourself for it later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Routinely, throughout the term, you should take time to check in on yourself and evaluate if you\u2019re on track to achieve your academic goals. Make sure that you\u2019re honest with yourself and hold yourself accountable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re slipping behind, find ways to make adjustments. Look back and determine where mistakes were made. Maybe you aren\u2019t taking effective notes, are struggling to digest the material you\u2019re reading, or have missed too many homework assignments, for example. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your academics have taken a turn for the worse and you are struggling to bring them back up on your own, don\u2019t be afraid to reach out for help. If you\u2019re a college student, go see your professor(s) during office hours and explain what you\u2019re struggling with. They\u2019ll be able to help or, at the very least, point you in the right direction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On many college campuses and in many high schools, there are learning centers full of tutors or counselors who can help you improve in specific areas, such as writing, reading, and math. These people are there to help. So, you should never feel ashamed to reach out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Focusing all of your time and effort on studying can occasionally be counterproductive. You need to allot time to care for your body and mind so that your studying is efficient. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve found that there are three important parts of life,\u201d Joshua Spodek, a passionate exerciser who holds a Ph.D. in astrophysics and an MBA from Columbia University, told TUN<\/a>. \u201cAnd if these aren\u2019t together, then everything else is secondary. It\u2019s a healthy diet, vigorous exercise and the right amount of sleep every night. If those aren\u2019t there, I just find that nothing else works. You get sick more easily and you don\u2019t concentrate as much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although, all-nighters, poor diets, and minimal exercise are all too common among college and high school students, you should do what you can to prioritize your health. Sleep, exercise, and nutrition are all crucial to your brain function, productivity, and ability to control stress and anxiety. <\/p>\n\n\n\nUse study strategies that work for you<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Be disciplined<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Take good notes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Read effectively<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Start off strong<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Check in on your progress <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Set aside time for sleep, nutrition, and exercise<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n