I did a lot of thinking myself and I’ve managed to round up a list of tips* which can ideally boost you GPA and help you with your college life. *some of which I have already been practicing for the past years but some I still plan on doing starting today. DISCLAIMER: I do not have perfect grades but I do strive for improvement.
1. Exhibit poise. All work and no play is definitely a NO in college. College life offers not just a terrible number of exams and requirements but also a multi fold number of chances to socialize. A certain balance should be kept between academics and social life. Mingle and relax if given the chance. Study wisely and unwind after stressful tests.
2. Know yourself. A person simply cannot achieve his or her goals if not mentally and physically fit to attain them. Have some alone time to reflect on current standing or location. Know more about strengths, weaknesses and capabilities and choose goals wisely with a brave heart. Seek yourself and know what you really want.
3. Stay healthy. Health is one of the many things that get compromised by a strict and busy schedule. 7AM classes cause a tendency for students to skip breakfast and late night classes and a tired body suggests going home and sleeping without proper supper. Go to sleep early and wake up early. Never skip meals and eat healthy. Jog every morning or go to the gym if you can.
4. Get involved on campus. Respective colleges and societies offer activities to students. Join, meet new people, interact and have fun. Do not spend most of the time worrying about exams. Be serious and worry when you are studying and be happy and silly if not. Do not jeopardize your social life by talking and ranting about your professors and academics. Be active in societies and learn to manage time well.
5. Do not procrastinate. Procrastination may be the most common problem college students have because it’s what they learned in high school. High school lets us have kind teachers who would gladly extend the deadline if so majority of the students suggest it. In college, it’s a bit different: huge class and a professor who seemed to have not smiled in a very long time. Professors of universities do not tend to make their students their friends and if a deadline is set, it remains as is. The will to succeed is the ultimate challenger of procrastination. Have inspiration, stay inspired and learn to use it as a sword. Procrastination will scurry away by itself.
6. Be Organized. College is an army of tests and you have to beat them in order to graduate. Organization plays a significant key to surviving. Professors give mountains of homework and long exams, some due on the same day as others. It is wise to have a planner to write on deadlines and exam dates as to not get confused with which homework to pass or exam to take on which day. Organization also helps in figuring out when to have fun and when it is wise to start studying. Lecture notes should also be organized. Use specific ink color to write terms, definitions, dates, names of people, places and etc. It also works for highlighters. It makes looking for words and remembering them far easier than just one color used.
7. Study smart. Don’t fool yourself. Time may be spent reading pages of textbooks but too often, the words we read are not fully understood or retained. This could be caused by undesirable surroundings. Study in a place of preference and productivity. Whether in bed or in the living room, at home or in a café, study in places where you can be truly productive. Study smart. Minimize distractions. Turn off your phone if you must.
8. Strive for good grades. We've all had at least one "terror" prof in our college life. Some of you may have cursed at them behind their backs but in my opinion, it's the attitude we have when faced with problems makes a difference. Do not backbite a professor because he has high standards. Rise up to the challenge because you can. A wise teacher once said: There are no difficult exams, only unprepared students. This actually helped me see exams and "terror" professors in a whole new perspective.
9. Be responsible. It's better to fail with dignity than to be praised unworthy. No matter what your excuse is for not being able to study well, take responsibility for it. Do NOT cheat no matter how tempting it gets. No matter how okay it seems with your classmates. Cheaters never really amount to anything. They cheat because they want to run away from failure. They can't handle it but to be honest, every one has to fail at something and it's a student's pride to be able to ace the exam without the help of others. Be responsible with your college life. Party or enjoy only at your leisure time.
10. Develop and grow. The whole point of the tips aforementioned above is that you should always develop and grow into a better version of yourself. Make new connections with other people. Try out new things. Discover your potential hobbies and talents.
Live and enjoy your college life without risking your grades.
Live and enjoy your college life without risking your grades.
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