Grades are very important for all students, whether they are in college, high school, junior high, or elementary school. Your grades in middle school determine whether you are ready to continue your education as a high school student. High school grades are very influential when you choose college. College grades are a determining factor for earning a bachelor's degree and getting hired. However, not all students are able to get an A and this is a natural thing. This article explains how to improve your grades so you can get through the long journey to success.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Fixing Values in No Time
Step 1. Evaluate your learning performance since the beginning of the semester and record any unfinished assignments
Is the grade that needs to be corrected only for 1 or more subjects? Are there any unfinished assignments or do you just need to study for the final exam? Write down all the subjects for this semester, the assignments to be completed for each subject, the deadlines for submitting assignments, and the date of the exam.
To get an overall picture, use the calendar to keep track of dues for submissions and exam schedules
Step 2. Get to know your current study method
Set aside time to evaluate the learning methods that you have applied so far. Determine what works and find out why. Write down the things you want to avoid (for example: procrastinating) and then try to break those habits. Find out what motivates you to learn and then use it to form positive habits.
Learn how to do a “S. W. O. T.” analysis (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats). “SWOT” analysis is a method designed to make business decisions by recognizing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and constraints facing the company. This method can be used by students to analyze learning performance
Step 3. Consult the teacher
Ask the teacher what you need to do to improve your grades and overcome deficiencies. Remember that teachers can respond in a variety of ways. For example: if a student who likes to be lazy goes to the teacher for advice because he wants to improve his grades, maybe the teacher will give advice so that he is diligent in studying. Show that you really need help and then do what he says. Teachers will feel underestimated if students ask for advice, but it is not implemented.
- Ask if the teacher is willing to give assignments as a way of adding value.
- Ask if you can turn in the overdue assignments or re-do the ones that got bad grades.
- Ask for help as soon as possible if you run into trouble. Don't wait until the last minute to ask for help or ask how to get extra points so you don't be late.
Step 4. Tell your parents about your problem
Your parents will help you if you are having trouble at school and tell them about it. Don't hesitate to ask your parents for help, even if they're just monitoring to make sure you're always studying hard.
Parents usually want to provide more support if you take the initiative to ask them for help. For example: after finding out that you are having trouble doing math problems, your parents will immediately look for a math tutor so you can study intensively
Step 5. Make a study schedule and make it a habit to keep it neat
Make a detailed schedule referring to the activities that you have recorded on the calendar. Set a target that you want to achieve each day and allocate how much time in the day you will use to study. Don't focus on studying one subject a day, unless absolutely necessary. As much as possible, divide study time to study various subjects.
- Remember that the habit of studying the material little by little each day is more beneficial than studying all at once in 1-2 days.
- If you are already in college, form a study habit of 2-3 hours/week to study every credit of the course you take. For example: for 3 credits of history course, you have to schedule 6-9 hours of study/week. While it may sound quite heavy, this is what it takes to get good grades.
- Don't forget to reward yourself if you reach your target. To stay motivated to study every day, give small rewards by doing things you enjoy, for example: watching your favorite TV show or playing a video game. Save the big prizes until the end of the semester!
Step 6. Make the most of the time to study to completion
If necessary, study late into the night, even if this advice is not the best. Memorize as much material as possible in the remaining time. Drink lots of caffeinated drinks and get a good night's sleep. Do this to help yourself and try to do your best.
Free yourself from distractions when you study late at night. Turn off the phone and TV. Listen to songs without lyrics. Make the most of the very limited study time
Step 7. Make a plan for the next semester or school year
This step can only be done by students who have not completed the last semester. Make the most of the time you have by preparing yourself as best you can to start a new semester or school year.
- Purchase a calendar or agenda to record school activities.
- Read the syllabus before take a new course or course.
- As much as possible, prepare the material for each subject or course at the beginning of the semester.
- Keep the study area tidy.
- Find out different ways to get academic support on campus (eg through job fairs, writing training, tutoring, etc.).
Step 8. Take a short semester
Many students do not like studying on holidays, but this method can be the best option for improving grades. Maybe you need to repeat courses with low grades or take additional classes to be ready to take advanced courses whose material tends to be more difficult to understand.
At certain universities, you are allowed to take 1 or more courses during semester breaks to shorten the study period. There are also universities that offer study programs to study abroad or at other universities as an opportunity to travel and gain experience. If there are new courses that can be followed after meeting certain requirements, take advantage of the holidays by taking short semesters for that purpose
Method 2 of 3: Preparing for the New School Year
Step 1. Conduct a study evaluation after the semester ends
Ask yourself a few questions to evaluate what is going well and what is not.
- What changed after you decided you wanted to improve your grades? What are the benefits? How much improvement did you get? What steps give the best and worst results? Are there things you would like to change?
- Think about the learning methods that you have applied and are useful so that you can continue.
- Think of a useless move and find out why. For example: maybe you have a hard time studying at home because you are often distracted or for some other reason and try to overcome it.
Step 2. Try to keep things tidy
Purchase a calendar, agenda, and/or whiteboard to hang on the wall. Tidy the study room, throw away unnecessary things (books, magazines, comics, etc.), arrange study equipment (stationery, ruler, compass, etc.) neatly. Make sure you study in a quiet place without distracting things. Store course materials neatly so that they are easy to find if needed.
- Prepare notebooks or folders for each subject and label them clearly.
- Use pens and markers of various colors to distinguish information in notebooks or textbooks. For example: blue for example, yellow for definition.
- Turn off cell phones or other devices while studying. If you're not using a computer, turn off your internet connection first so you don't get distracted by checking your email or incoming messages!
Step 3. Consult the teacher as early as possible
The teacher will help students who really want to improve grades. Ask him to tell you the important things you should prioritize and the best way to learn the material he explains in class. Ask if he's willing to help if you have any questions before handing in the assignment.
- Find out the contact information and teaching hours of teachers. Do a weekly evaluation to find out the learning performance you have achieved so far. If necessary, make an appointment to consult with the teacher when he or she is not teaching and has free time.
- When consulting with a teacher, don't ask for advice by asking: "What should I focus on when following your lessons?" or “What do I have to do to get an A?” because this question shows that you have no interest in the lesson. Instead, ask the question: “What kinds of things do you usually ask in exams? I ask that I can improve the way I take notes when I take lessons” or “What advice do you give to students who want to improve their learning performance?”
Step 4. Study with friends
Invite friends or classmates to form study groups so you can discuss and do assignments together. Take this opportunity to take turns answering quiz questions, working on test questions together, "explaining" the material being studied.
- Study groups will be more useful if they are managed well, for example: there is a schedule and meeting place, there is a learning target to be achieved, and there is a group leader or moderator.
- Study groups do not have to consist of old friends, even better if the members are new friends. Gathering with friends to study is usually an opportunity to chat so it is less useful.
Step 5. Take care of your physical health
Get in the habit of getting an adequate night's sleep, adopt a healthy diet every day, and exercise regularly. Maintaining physical health is one way to build mental abilities.
Taking care of yourself can be done by taking a break while studying, for example by taking a short walk every 1 hour and giving yourself a reward if you reach your target
Step 6. Study with the help of a tutor
You can study a specific subject by taking courses or taking advantage of on-campus assistance programs. Many educational institutions have mentoring facilities for students by recruiting tutors (managed by alumni), opening writing training (holding seminars and providing feedback on writing papers), and job fairs (providing professional guidance and input). Some of the guidance is free, but there is also a paid one.
If you want to take a course, ask for a teacher's recommendation as he knows alumni who excel and may be willing to help
Method 3 of 3: Maintaining Value
Step 1. Read the material before and after it is explained
Prepare before taking the lesson by recording questions about the material that will be discussed by the teacher and making sure all questions are answered during the lesson. Read again the material that was just explained shortly after the class ended so that you understand the concept. Immediately ask if there are things you do not understand.
Read the newly explained subject matter aloud to make it easier to remember. Imagine your pet cat is amazed to hear you read molecular biology material
Step 2. Follow each subject
Although it seems difficult, this method is very useful! There are teachers who give value for attendance. So, ditching means losing value. Pay close attention when the teacher teaches.
- Show the teacher that you really want to learn by following the lesson. If you need help, the teacher will help students who seem interested while they teach.
- To show interest, sit in the front seat. Besides being seen by the teacher, your friends will be behind so you can focus your attention on the material being discussed.
Step 3. Record all the material described
Record all the material in the way that works best for you. Read the notes again once class ends and then write them down again so you can memorize the concepts more easily. Don't forget to mark important information or instructions that the teacher gives to do assignments or answer exam questions.
- Focus on important things in textbooks or notes, such as dates or deadlines, names of people and why they are important, theories, equations, definitions, pros and cons of topics debated in class, pictures/tables/diagrams, sample questions.
- Use shorthand, abbreviations, and symbols when taking notes, instead of writing out each word in full. For example: use the symbol “&” for the word “and” or use “+/_” for the word “more or less”. Make your own abbreviations if necessary.
- When taking notes, don't think about spelling and grammar because notes can be corrected if there are mistakes, except when taking language lessons where word spelling and grammar are being discussed!
- Choose the most appropriate way of recording the material. Use Cornell's method to note if the material being explained is more theoretically focused. The material discussed by discussion will be more easily recorded in the form of sentences such as being free to compose.
Step 4. Participate in class
This is very useful if the teacher provides additional value for students who want to participate in the lesson. When assessing, the teacher will consider the quality aspect, rather than how often you participate. Use this opportunity to show the teacher that you understand the material being discussed. In addition, the teacher can get feedback whether the student has not understood the material he has explained and needs to be explained again.
Discussions can turn into debates. This can be an indication that students have an interest in the material being taught. You may express opinions that differ from those of your classmates, but be respectful of them. Don't let the debate turn into a fight
Step 5. Finish the homework as soon as possible
Don't wait until the last day so you have to stay up late to do your homework. Complete homework on the same day or schedule it if you already know when the teacher will give assignments. Do your homework thoroughly before the deadline so you can still have time to be thoroughly checked and corrected if there are errors.
Try to finish writing assignments as quickly as possible because students often make mistakes in spelling, grammar, writing format, etc. If the assignment has been completed early, you can find a teacher, tutor, or someone who is willing to check and correct your work
Step 6. Submit assignments that are past due
Each assignment will be graded. The teacher will give different grades for late assignments. You still get grades, even if assignments are submitted after the deadline. If you really want to improve your grades, each submitted task will be very useful!
- Before doing the assignment, make sure first by asking the teacher or reading the syllabus. If you are very busy and the teacher doesn't allow you to submit assignments by the deadline, your work will not be graded.
- If the teacher refuses, but you still have time to do the assignment, use this opportunity as an exercise to face the exam and complete the assignment as well as possible. The teacher usually provides an answer key that can be used to find out how well you are doing.
Step 7. Consult with the teacher about how to get extra grades
Do not hesitate to ask the teacher because the worst possibility is to face rejection. If the teacher gives you some assignments so you can improve your grades, do your best and submit them on time.
- Don't wait until the semester is almost over to ask for extra grades! You will be impressed as a lazy student and want to improve your grades in an easy way. If you face a problem, ask the teacher ahead of time.
- "Additional value" is still a matter of debate among academics because some argue that this method is not useful. Each teacher has their own considerations and has the right to determine attitudes (eg based on experience). You can ask for extra grades, but don't insist if the teacher refuses.
Step 8. Study and understand the material as best you can
Instead of just memorizing the material in the textbook, it will be much more useful if you really understand the topic being discussed.
- Before studying another topic, make sure you have mastered the topic being studied, especially if the two are related. In general, textbooks and syllabus are structured in such a way that the next chapter/topic is discussed based on the previous chapter/topic. Students usually have difficulty understanding the material being taught if they have not studied the previous chapter/topic.
- Use personal experiences or everyday events to make it easier for you to understand the material being studied. Textbooks (and many teachers) often provide less-than-interesting examples. For example: when studying Newton's First Law of Motion which states that "any object will have a constant velocity unless there is a nonzero resultant force acting on the object", look for an example that is easy to visualize. Imagine a scene in the movie ''The Fast and the Furious'' where the car keeps going until someone stops it (this example isn't the best, but it's quite useful!).
Step 9. Before working on the exam questions, read the instructions to completion and then carry them out
For various reasons, many students incorrectly answer exam questions because they didn't read the instructions carefully and didn't do what was asked!
- For example: examinees may choose 4 of 6 topics to write an essay, but there are students who write essays with 6 topics. This happens because he doesn't read the instructions so he does something useless and loses time to do other exam questions.
- Another example: exam questions do not need to be done sequentially, unless the questions can be answered after working on the previous questions. First read all the questions to completion then answer starting from the easiest questions to the most difficult ones. This will make you more confident during the exam.
- Instructions should be carried out as well as possible not just while taking the exam. If you are asked to write an essay with 2 spaces, Times New Roman 12 font, and 2.5 cm margin, do it according to the teacher's instructions. Don't type with 1 space, Arial 10 font, and 4 cm margins!
Tips
- Many schools conduct trainings, seminars, and courses on topics such as how to take notes, break the habit of procrastinating, speak in front of an audience, give presentations, learn grammar, time management, deal with stress, etc. Find out and take advantage of the programs available at the school.
- There are many free applications that can be used to schedule study and do assignments. To find the most appropriate application, do a trial and then use one application for at least 1 semester.
- Do your homework and schoolwork as best you can.
