Before saying anything, I\u2019d like to emphasize that grades are not a wholesome reflection of your character or your capacity to move the world. Sure, to some extent, grades show comprehension of material. However, being an A student rather than a B student doesn\u2019t necessarily make you a better person, or even a smarter one. At their core, grades are arbitrary numbers that manage to drive students crazy each day. To ease some of that tension, here are my tips for getting better grades going forward.<\/p>\n
This is such an effortless tip that many students seem to skip. When working on projects or essays, <\/span>have the syllabus on hand.<\/span><\/i> It will tell you all the requirements and expectations of your assignment, so you can make sure you\u2019re hitting all the points while you work. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Your 3AM brain doesn\u2019t function nearly as well as your 3PM brain. If you want to produce quality work, don\u2019t wait last minute to complete assignments. Otherwise you\u2019ll be up all night trying to figure out if your sentences are fully coherent. Always remember it doesn\u2019t take any more effort to finish your work now rather than later. <\/span><\/p>\n Sometimes, even after reading the syllabus, the expectations of an assignment can be unclear. To make sure you know what your professor is looking for, ask to see an example. Professors oftentimes save exceptional projects and essays from previous students, so ask to see one and let that serve as a guide. You can model your work after the example to be sure you\u2019re giving the professor what she\u2019s looking for (without plagiarizing, of course).<\/span><\/p>\n Revision is key in college. No matter the project or paper, you can improve the grade you receive simply by rereading what you wrote. In other words, a quick 5 minute read could boost your GPA. I recommend leaving a gap in between the time you finish the assignment and the time you choose to proofread, so your mind has a chance to reset. Looking over assignments allows you to see what phrasing you\u2019d like to change, revise any grammatical errors, and make sure the piece is direct as a whole.<\/span><\/p>\n What makes sense to you might not make sense to someone else. A fresh set of eyes can pinpoint mistakes you missed or even lend a different perspective. <\/span><\/p>\n No one wants to believe it, but professors are biased. That doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re bad people; it means they\u2019re human. If you\u2019re ever on the cusp of a grade, a professor who favors you will probably give you that little boost. Bear in mind that being friendly doesn\u2019t mean becoming a \u201cteacher\u2019s pet.\u201d Just be respectful, participate in class, and greet your professor around campus. <\/span><\/p>\n2. Give Yourself Enough Time<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
3. Ask To See Examples of Previous Assignments<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
4. Look It Over More Than Once<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
5. Have A Friend Read It <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
6. Make Friends With Your Professors<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
7. Office Hours <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n