60 ways to improve
your GPA
by peer tutors in CNED 298A, fall 2003: Lynn Huang, Chris Malec, Bob Manganelli, Angela Miller, and Rachel Smith
Classes
1. Don’t miss class unless you really have to—save missed classes for emergencies. Schedule dentist appointments and routine things for when you don’t have classes.
2. Schedule classes that will interest you.
3. Make sure you catch up if you do miss a class. See your professor or borrow a classmate’s notes.
4. Always be prepared for class.
5. Be sure to ask questions in class.
6. Get to know your classmates. Classes will be more fun, and you’ll have a contact person.
7. Don’t assume your professor will cancel class if there’s bad weather. They usually show up.
8. Show your professor rough drafts of your papers. You’ll get feedback and learn a lot.
9. Always keep track of your grades. You should know exactly what you need to get on the final to get the grade you want.
10. Save old exams and quizzes. Use them to study for the final.
11. See if
there are old tests in the library. These can help you practice.
Studying
12. Read for 45
minutes or 1 hour, and then take a break.
13. Don’t leave your flash cards in grade school. Use them to learn vocabulary, equations, graphs, etc. Don’t wait till the last minute to study for an exam.
14. Organize a study group.
15. Study for tests one week (at least) in advance.
16. Don’t be afraid to get a tutor. This is the smart thing to do.
17. Do your homework on the same day as the lecture.
18. Read the chapter before the lecture that will cover it. That gives you an overview.
19. Review your notes after class.
20. Do your homework.
21. Do extra problems for practice.
22. Create your own study guide.
23. Make up practice exam—predict test questions.
24. Make sure you are studying the right stuff. Pay attention in class. The professor may tell you what will be covered on the test.
25. The last two classes before an exam are very important.
26. Create study games such as Jeopardy or terminology bingo.
27. Don’t rely on your calculator when doing homework if you can’t use it during tests.
28. Save a page at the front of your notebook for formulas. This will save you time because you won’t have to hunt for them in your notes.
Health/Stress
29. Relax. Buy a relaxation tape to help you reduce stress.
30. Exercise to reduce stress and stay healthy. If you get sick, you’ll miss class. Read textbooks on the treadmill.
31. Get enough
sleep.
32. Think positively. It’s okay to be a little cocky.
33. Get yourself motivated. Think in terms of a goal.
34. Talk to your professors.
35. Set realistic goals for yourself.
36. If stress
is a problem, talk to a counselor at the
Notes
37. Take meaningful notes.
38. If you don’t know how to take good notes, see a study skills consultant for help.
39. Compare notes with a classmate.
Schedules
40. Don’t take too many back-to-back classes.
41. Don’t take too many credits in a semester. You’ll kill yourself and your GPA.
42. Take sequential courses in sequence without gaps. For example, don’t take Math 140 in the fall and wait until the next fall to take Math 141.
43. Before you schedule, ask your friends who the good professors are.
44. Look at your degree audit and take courses that will count.
45. Talk to your advisor. E-Lion is a handy tool, but it doesn’t replace an advisor.
Time management
46. Your parents bought you that planner for a reason. Use it.
47. Limit your time online IMing and surfing the Web.
48. Make sure you know your due dates for projects, papers, etc.
49. Study between classes, then you’ll have time for socializing at night.
50. Get food to go, and study while you eat.
51. Do homework while you do your laundry.
52. Set aside time to spend with your friends. You really do need a break to relax.
53. Don’t put things off till the last minute.
Distractions
54. Bring earplugs to school if you live in the dorms.
55. Get a set of eye shades, so you can sleep if your roommate has the lights on.
56. Don’t mix socializing and studying.
57. Turn off the music or TV while you study.
58. Sit in the front of the classroom.
Exams
59. Read the whole exam before you start. Mark the easy ones, so you can do them first.
60. Don’t spend too much time on one problem. Save time for the hardest ones.
Updated 8/24/06