10 Ways To Get Good Grades

Having the tools to be able to learn and get good grades at your disposal can make the difference between success or failure in school. You might already have good grades and you just want to maintain them. Or you may be failing and need to get those marks up ASAP. Maybe you are anywhere in the middle between these two. Just know that no matter where you stand academically, it’s still possible to develop study strategies to get or keep good grades in school.

How to get good grades

Here are some great tips that can help raise your GPA:

1. Review materials constantly

Cramming before a test is disapproved of because (while it may work sometimes) it often results in failure. The brain learns better when given a chance to process information. Equally as important is repetition, which entails repeatedly learning something in order to form stronger memories of it. Try to pay attention in class to learn and then review again at home. Even if you just attentively skim materials several times you could still see the benefits of repetition. Just remember you should eventually study with focus/without skimming. Make sure if you skim initially you are paying attention because sometimes people have a habit of skimming without actually retaining.

2. Manage your study time

If you never study then how do you expect to do well. Yes, I guess photographic memory exists but we aren’t all blessed with that so most of us need to dedicate time to study. You should make sure you schedule sufficient amounts of time to studying and plan your time in such a way that you are able to review and do your homework. Versatility in how you manage your studying time also leads to success. Maybe you’re swamped one day with two tests but you also have homework that’s not as pressing. You may want to change up your schedule that day to focus mostly on what’s most important.

In line with this is also sticking to your timeframes. I.e. if you plan on studying history for 45 minutes, then you should be focused on that. Make changes to your schedule only if necessary and don’t allow yourself to become distracted by your phone, TV, etc.

It’s better to schedule your timeframes for manageable durations. Don’t try to study for too long and don’t expect yourself to do so either. Give yourself breaks so your mind can relax. Try to do something fun and incorporate moderate movement to get blood flowing. My general suggestion is study for 45 minutes and break for 15 minutes. But try to work out timeframes that work for you.

3. Seek additional help

If there’s something you’re unclear on then there is no good excuse to not ask for help. Consider asking a teacher or professor during class if you feel confused by any points of discussion. Check with your instructor if they offer additional help for free and if not consider getting a tutor. Make the best of technology, as well. Try to search Google or YouTube to see if someone else has explained the same topic. The internet is loaded with free lessons and you can help solidify your understanding with these resources.

4. Start a study group

Gather some people from the same class or others who are taking the same subject and get together for a study session. Make sure these people compliment your studying by helping you focus and contributing to your knowledge. Study sessions shouldn’t turn into parties and if you feel there’s too many distractions by being part of the group then consider leaving.

5. Use effective note taking methods

Notes are a key review tool. They are a great chance for you to capture what was discussed for later review. Try to use a note-taking format that is most readable for you and makes for a comfortable study experience. Make sure you utilize margin notes, subtitles, underlines and highlights if those help you. Try not to look at a bunch of text just laid out in front of you. By producing comprehensive notes, grouping related content together, and by making additions as you learn you increase the chance that you will be able to organize your thoughts as they relate to materials.

6. Make sure you focus on the important info

Focusing on what matters applies to both note-taking and studying in general. If an instructor emphasizes something or explicitly states it will be on a test then distinguishing it in your notes and dedicating more time to learning it is a good idea. Study smarter not harder. Ultimately if you are unsure about something you should still make an effort to learn it but focusing on what is likely to be assessed is a more efficient strategy.

7. Memorize and understand

It is important to emphasize the word “and” here. Having the ability to recall information on a test or exam can prove useful but so too does understanding. When studying, it’s important to be able to restate what has been learned but also know what the larger meaning is. Sometimes assessments don’t only ask for a summary of materials, they ask for knowledge to be applied. Be ready for these scenarios if you come across them by saving information and deeply comprehending your academic materials.

8. Keep calm

The effects of stress on memory and focus are pretty well known. A little stress is good when it comes to school because it may actually be beneficial in giving us energy and motivation. When stress is excessive, though, it can become counter-productive and distracting. It may also increase the chances of blanking on a test or exam. Keep calm while studying, while completing assignments or during tests. This can improve material retention and/or overall performance.

Try breathing exercises, closing your eyes and envisioning a happy place or listening to some calming music during study breaks. Sometimes even walking off extra energy works great and helps establish calmness. Do whatever you feel will ease any nerves you may have.

9. Sleep and eat well

Sleep is a major player in memory and focus. Those who are sleep deprived are less likely to retain and understand information and more likely to struggle with recalling memories. Lack of sleep also causes physical and mental fatigue. Energy is crucial for having the motivation and stamina to study and if that starts to suffer then so too could performance. Ultimately, it is important to aim for at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Equally important is eating right for brain nourishment. The brain uses food for energy and a way to nurture itself. Make sure you eat brain-conscious foods. Avoid saturated and trans fats and instead maintain a diet rich in unsaturated fat (nuts, fish, olive oil, avocado, etc.). Limit refined carbohydrates, sugar or syrup consumption. Drink enough water to stay hydrated. Moreover, make sure you eat enough vegetables and some fruits for snacks.

10. Study comfortably

How we study can also make a difference in academic performance. As odd as it may seem, the location where you study, the position you sit in, and the amount of distractions in your environment can all potentially affect your performance. General tips here will vary depending on how you’re comfortable and how you study. Some basic best practices that are good to follow:

-try to sit up while studying rather than lying down
-don’t sit or stand for too long –ideally you’d have a standing desk that you can also convert back to a regular one
-make sure you maintain a proper posture while studying –don’t lower your head too much to study, keep your shoulders back and make sure you aren’t slouched
-if you get uncomfortable, get up and move to stretch
-eliminate distractions (put your phone away, turn off the TV, etc.)
-minimize noise and make sure your study environment is perfectly lit to a brightness ideal for you

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