If the end of the semester is approaching and your grades are still dropping, don't panic! You can still increase your grades before the semester ends. Do your best to get high marks on exams and finals, submit all assignments (including late submissions), and complete as many additional assignments as possible if any.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Getting Good Grades at the End of the Semester
Step 1. Pay attention to your old assignments
If you are going to face final exams or assignments soon, re-read the assignments you have done to find out your weaknesses. Once you know your weaknesses, you can work on overcoming them.
- If you've reread old test results and still can't find where the error is, reread the required book, or ask your teacher/lecturer for help to find it.
- Consider asking the teacher/lecturer for advice on improving grades. He may be able to give you more advice than what he wrote down for your assignment.
Step 2. Improve your study habits
If you really want to improve your test scores, make sure you study hard. Set aside enough time to reread the exam material, and don't be lazy.
- Start studying well before the test, so you don't have to apply the "overnight race system" and can get enough rest. By learning in installments, stress levels will decrease, and you will be able to understand the material being tested. When studying, don't forget to take a break every 30 minutes.
- Know what type of lesson is right for you. Some people prefer to read or write (also known as the "visual type"), while others prefer to hear material (also known as the "auditory type"). In addition, some people like group learning activities, while others like to study alone. If you know the right types of learning activities, your study efforts will be more successful.
- Having a dedicated study room that is neat and free of distractions will also really help you study. If you don't have a place to study at home, consider studying after school or studying in the library.
- If your school has a special lobby for studying, use it for studying and completing assignments, rather than chatting. Setting aside more time to study after school will really help with grades.
Step 3. Understand the grading system used in your school/campus
To get good grades, you need to understand the grading system at your school/college, and what percentage of your assignments will contribute to your final grade. If you do not understand the grading system, please contact the teacher/lecturer immediately.
- As you work on an assignment, make sure you know the criteria and grading weights used to rate the assignment. The grading criteria will help you find out what points the teacher scores for your perfect score. If the teacher/lecturer does not provide an explanation of the assessment criteria, ask detailed questions about the assessment of the assignment.
- Also know other ways to score. For example, some teachers/lecturers rate active participation in class, so you might be able to earn some extra points by speaking more in class.
Step 4. Start working on a big task, such as a scientific paper, from the beginning
Don't procrastinate on doing assignments. Large assignments will generally have a big impact on the final score so you should set aside enough time to do the work to the fullest.
- If the teacher/lecturer has not broken down a large task into several steps, consider asking him/her for suggestions on how to solve the task so that the task will feel easier to do. For example, you can break your research work assignment into smaller activities, such as choosing a topic, finding other sources, summarizing your work, writing an initial draft, and writing a final draft.
- Consider asking the teacher/lecturer for help when doing assignments. Even if you are not asked to submit a preliminary draft, ask your teacher/lecturer to read the initial draft of your major assignment, and seek advice from him.
- If you're having trouble managing time, set yourself a deadline. Set aside 30-60 minutes for large tasks each day, depending on how many tasks you have to work on.
Step 5. Ask for help when needed, instead of waiting until the end of the semester
Solving academic difficulties early will help you understand the material on the exam.
- If you have questions about the material discussed in class, make sure you directly ask the teacher/lecturer. If you can't ask questions in class, try asking at the end of the class, arriving early to ask questions, or visiting the teacher's room in your spare time.
- If you need more help, find a tutor. Most schools/colleges provide tutoring services for students, so make sure you are aware of the available help options. If your school does not provide tutoring services, or if the tutors are not very helpful, you can choose to take tutoring or private lessons.
Method 2 of 3: Completing Tasks
Step 1. Set aside more time for tasks
If your assignment received a bad grade, now is the time to correct that grade. Even if the grades aren't that great, they can help you at the end of the semester.
- Make sure you understand the assignment before leaving class. If you don't know how to complete an assignment, ask the teacher/lecturer for clarification.
- Read or listen to the assignment, then follow it perfectly. Don't feel lazy and write less, or neglect assignments.
Step 2. Submit assignments on time
Write down the deadline for each task, then submit it before the deadline. Getting a deductible for being late for an assignment sucks, doesn't it?
- Record all tasks on the agenda or electronic calendar if you find it helpful.
- Try to set aside time that doesn't clash with other obligations to complete tasks. For example, if you're going to basketball on Thursday and have a hard time finding time to work on assignments, complete tasks that can be completed on Wednesdays, and don't procrastinate.
Step 3. Ask the teacher/lecturer for a late assignment replacement if you miss an assignment
Even though this substitute assignment can only get you half the mark, it will still be better than zero.
In addition to asking for substitute assignments, ask for replacements for missed class activities. For example, you can volunteer to come to class during lunch time to complete the class activity
Step 4. Ask the teacher for permission to rework old assignments, retake tests, or rework projects with low marks
You may be able to ask the teacher to average grades, or take the highest marks from old and new assignments. If you seem committed, the teacher/lecturer will probably let you do it.
Try to focus on big tasks that will impact your grades more than small tasks like homework
Step 5. Make a priority list
While you're willing to do anything to improve your grades, you have to do it smartly. Do not let your efforts to increase the value of certain subjects / courses make the value of other subjects decrease.
- Focus on doing the tasks that contribute the most value. For example, if your final project is 50% and your homework is 1-%, focus on the final project instead of the homework. However, that doesn't mean you have to completely ignore PR. You just need to set aside less time to work on it.
- Never forgo a current assignment to work on an old one, unless the old task can add more value.
- Do not ignore other subjects / lectures. Don't let your grades in other subjects drop just because you want to improve your grades in one subject. Bad grades will affect your GPA.
Method 3 of 3: Doing Additional Tasks
Step 1. Feel free to ask for additional assignments
The teacher/lecturer may not tell you about the opportunity to do additional assignments, but that doesn't mean you don't have the opportunity at all. If you feel you can improve your grades through additional assignments, ask your teacher for the opportunity.
- If a certain incident affects your grades, make sure your teacher is aware of the incident. By knowing the reasons for your declining performance, the teacher/lecturer may be more willing to help you.
- Make sure you explain that you really want to improve the grades. Teachers won't change grades right away unless you make an effort.
- Know how extra work contributes to the final grade before asking for it. The contribution of additional assignments to final grades will vary, depending on the subject / course, so don't expect your grades to change drastically by doing additional assignments in one subject because it can increase grades in other subjects.
Step 2. View additional tasks as rewards
Some teachers/lecturers offer a lot of extra assignments, and some don't even give them a chance at all. If the teacher / lecturer gives you additional assignments, thank you.
- Don't complain about how much work you have to do, or how little the extra work contributes to the final grade. After all, this additional task is not mandatory.
- Do as many additional tasks as you can, as long as they don't interfere with other tasks. Complete other required tasks before working on additional tasks.
Step 3. Commit to doing additional tasks
If you have been given additional assignments, now is the time to take this opportunity to show the teacher that you really want to improve your grades.
- As with any normal task, make sure you understand the additional tasks. Don't hesitate to ask the teacher/lecturer if you don't understand the assignment.
- If the teacher / lecturer gives you the opportunity to do additional assignments, work on projects that interest you. For example, if you are required to write a free scientific paper, choose a topic that interests you. This way, it will be easier for you to complete the task. If you like the topic of the assignment, you will learn better too.
- Complete additional tasks on time. Don't disappoint the teacher/lecturer with your late submission of assignments.
Tips
- At university, additional assignments may not be given. If you're a student, focus on getting good grades on UAS or finals.
- Keep focus. If you feel stressed, meditate.
- Respect teachers / lecturers, and be grateful for the second chance they give.
- Prioritize yourself to improve value.
