From the Ask Isa inbox:
Dear Isa,
I'm having a rough time getting good grades; how do you do it? What are the easy classes you took so far? Thank you.
Sincerely,
Struggling Student
Dear Struggling Student,
Getting good grades is hard. Really hard. But I'm glad you're asking about this because it is possible.
People tend to think getting good grades is about being 'naturally' smart. It's not.
I've known very smart people who get mediocre grades, and people who may not be as naturally academically inclined but who work for their A's and become the top stars on their campuses.
The first thing I want to address is the question of what "easy classes" I took.
I think a lot of my classes were easy but not in the way you might expect. I consider them "easy" not because they weren't very hard work, but because they were in subjects I liked so much that I enjoyed the learning process. It was challenging, but it was fun.
When possible I did avoid classes that seemed uninteresting and unrelated to my primary goals.
In your first two years you have less choice, but if you think back to high school it's usually pretty easy to decide whether you prefer biology or chemistry (I chose chemistry).
Choosing a class because it's supposedly "easy" is not a good strategy. Choose classes that interest you and that you think you have some natural strengths in.
Then, the simplest way to get good grades in the classes you choose?
Schedule daily time to study.
Duh, right? But seriously. Students underestimate this, especially busy ones.
They feel good enough that they are able to fit class into their schedule that they can't imagine making much more time to study (aside from late nights after work when they're exhausted).
I have tremendous respect for students who have to balance work and other responsibilities with college, which today is the majority.
However, it's a huge obstacle. And the only way to overcome it personally is to make studying a priority. Not just the week of exams, but every single day.
I spent at least two hours in the library every weekday without fail. It was scheduled into my calendar and I treated the time like any other class.
I showed up every day. And on the days I didn't have any homework I'd get ahead on a class project or essay. The result?
A stress-free 4.0 and weekends to work and relax. (I also worked weeknights as a nanny and was able to study when the kids went to sleep - while in college do everything you can to find a job that works with your college goals and not against them).
(Note: to make the most of that time it's vital to be organized, have a planner with due dates, and seek out constant tutoring and feedback from professors when you're struggling).
Having the commitment required to get good grades requires an understanding of how your sacrifices now will pay off in the long run.
Making college a priority will require sacrifices. But if you're dedicated to your college education, those sacrifices will pay off big time.
Note: My favorite book on getting good grades is How to Become a Straight-A Student by Cal Newport.
There are no shortcuts to getting good grades; there are no short cuts to become successful in anything.
The effort you put in today and consistently every day is what makes all the difference.
One of my most popular YouTube videos is the one that shares what to do after you fail a test. I love the questions I receive in the comments section of the video because most come from students who are so eager to do well in college.
I've met enough students who had GPA's of 1.0 their first try in college and who came back later - when they were motivated - and got 4.0's to know that grades are more about strategy and focus than any kind of inherent intelligence.
Sometimes students struggle in classes simply because they don't have the right strategies.
And unless you're already easily getting a 4.0, there's probably more you can do to get better grades and limit stress (e.g. I never pulled an all-nighter).
So below are the top 5 strategies I used in college that helped me and so many others get straight-A's:
1) Schedule daily library time
When I built my schedule each semester I purposefully left time in between classes to force myself to work in the library. As a commuter, it's hard to resist the temptation to just go to class and go home. Spacing classes out is a great way to make the most of your campus experience.
Create a block of time each day you're on campus to spend in the library. I was usually in the library for a few hours Monday-Thursday and it worked great.
I never had to do homework at home, at night, or on the weekends. I never had to turn down friends to hang out because I had to study. I was always ahead, and it felt great.
Even if the library isn't your favorite place, dedicate yourself to spend time on campus in a place that motivates you to do your homework. Schedule it in and go without fail.
2) Use your professors' office hours
In addition to meeting with every professor as a potential mentor, I always talked to professors about big assignments and exams.
For example, when assigned an essay I'd do my initial research and then come to the professor with any questions that came up and to run my thesis by him or her for feedback.
I also brought my exams back. For example, when you get math or science exams back, check over the answers you got wrong; if you can't figure out why you got any one wrong, bring the exam to your professor and ask for help.
When you're diligent with this, professors are more than happy to help because they'll see your motivation.
3) Choose classes (and a major) you really like
I'm sure it would have been possible, but I'm not as confident I would have gotten straight-A's if I'd taken calculus or organic chemistry.
I chose a major I loved (communications), and when it came to science and math-based general education requirements, I chose only what I needed for my major (which I knew by checking the catalog of the transfer university I planned on attending).
When it came to requirements like history, I chose courses that truly fascinated me.
Don't choose classes based on convenience. Choose them based on what you find interesting, and do your research. When you like a class it's so much easier to do well.
4) Put syllabus reminders in a calendar
Stay on top of due dates and develop an organizational system that makes staying on top of assignments in multiple classes easy. My life saver was my palm pilot (lol I know, I know - I went to college before the iPhone, okay?) and Google calendar reminders sent to my phone (see #2 in this blog post for how to set this up).
5) Go to class
I know this seems obvious, but I cannot tell you how many people boasted to me that college was so great because professors don't take attendance so you really don't have to go to class. (Note: all of those people took 5-6 years to get their bachelors degrees and failed a few classes).
Show up every day unless you're really sick. Sit in the front row. Make it a point to contribute at least once every class.
Getting good grades is less about natural intelligence and much more about being fully engaged. You can do this.
What other strategies have worked well for you in getting good grades? Please share on the Facebook page!
