Throughout your high school career, you were always told the importance of getting good grades, and you probably worked your hardest to score those A’s. Afterall, that along with your extracurricular activities and volunteer work is what helped you get into the college of your dreams! Now that you’re here in school, chances are you may be feeling a little overwhelmed with your classes—they’re definitely more difficult than high school! But that doesn’t mean you still can’t get A’s in college. 

So whether you’re a first semester freshman, or a second semester senior, it’s never too late to ace those classes. We’ve put together our top tips to getting those A’s in college that you’ve always wanted to know, so keep reading to learn:

• Why it’s important to strive for good grades
• Habits to pick up in order to get A’s in college
• Must-have items to help you ace your classes
  

Why Strive for Good Grades in College?

Why it’s important to keep your grades up in college

When you’re at school and away from home, it’s easy to get caught up in the exciting atmosphere of academic and collegiate life. You’re on your own, making decisions, and doing your own thing. But don’t forget, you (and your family) are paying for these college credits, so you should definitely be putting forth your best effort to get those good grades. Since there’s a good chance you took out loans to help pay for your college courses, it’s a good idea to make the most out of it and try to get those A’s. In addition to this, it’s important to strive for the best grades possible in your classes:

• You will challenge yourself to be your best. When you set the goal of getting A’s (or good grades in general) you’re putting your determination and self-discipline to the test. It’s a very rewarding experience to achieve high marks in a class, and is definitely a confidence boost! Knowing that you knocked it out of the park on a test or project shows that you’re highly proficient in what you’re studying—so go on and pat yourself on the back!
  

• Remember your career goals. Although graduation day might be years away (or maybe it’s closer!) it’s never too early to start to think about what your career goals are. Finding your major and excelling in that area can really help you narrow down what you want to do after school. Employers do look at your academic track record, and having a good GPA can really make you stand out from the crowd.
  

Planning to pursue an advanced degree? Graduate schools, medical schools, and law schools all consider what your undergraduate GPA was, so make sure you’re keeping those grades up!

• Scholarships. In addition to loans, you may have also received scholarships as a part of your student aid package. Some of these scholarships require a minimum GPA in order to keep receiving those funds. 
  

Tips to Scoring A’s in College

Try these easy ways to keep getting those good grades!

Now that you know why it’s in your best interest to get those A’s, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you, and offer our favorite ways to ensure you get good grades all semester long!  

Review grading requirements

For each class you take, you’re sure to get a syllabus, a textbook list, and a calendar of how the professor intends for the class to proceed. Many times they will also include how they will grade each of your assignments—whether that’s with exams, quizzes, essays, or midterm/final papers. Many students either gloss over this material, or don’t stop to pay it much attention. Don’t fall into this trap. If your professor sets up grading requirements for how they will judge your assignments, take heed! This is a great (and easy) way to ensure you’re including everything they’re looking for when you turn in a paper or other graded project. 

As you write your paper (or other assignment) make sure you go back and double check that you’re checking all the boxes when it comes to how to format it, what information should be included, and how many points each part of the assignment will gain you towards your final grade. If something like this isn’t included in your start of the semester packet, make it a point to set up a time to discuss this with your prof. You don’t want to be surprised when you receive your paper or project back with a less than stellar grade because you missed some key components that they grade on!

Handwrite your notes

If you’re in school now, chances are you’re familiar with typing and taking notes with your laptop or tablet. This kind of portable technology has revolutionized the way that students not only attend class (hello remote learning) but how they take notes during lectures, group discussions, and labs. But even though it’s incredibly convenient to quickly jot down what your professor is saying, chances are you’re less than likely to remember the electronic notes you take in class.

We suggest going at it the old fashioned way, and handwrite your notes! While this might seem anachronistic, hear us out. Did you know that when you actually take the time to write what you’re hearing in class onto a notebook, you are much more likely to retain that information? This is because it forces your brain to synthesize what the teacher is saying and put it into your own words. No, you won’t get all the words your prof says, but if you can summarize it in a way that makes sense to you, you’re definitely more likely to remember that information when it comes to exam time.

Pro tip: When studying for an exam, going back over your handwritten notes is a great way to remember how you summarized the information in the first place. You’d be surprised how you can recall what color pen you used, and whether you chose bullets or dashes to organize your thoughts, allowing you to ace that test!

Talk to professors

We get it, going to see a professor can be a little nerve-wracking—especially if you’re in a large lecture class. Afterall, how will they even know you and your work when they’re teaching 100+ people? Even if you don’t have class sizes that large, it can still be intimidating walking into their office. Trust us though, visiting and speaking with your professors is a great way to ensure you’re well on your way to receiving A’s in their class!

Professors have office hours for a reason, and no, you’re not a bother to them. The majority of them are delighted to talk to their students, and encourage that students come and meet them/discuss ideas during their office hours. Afterall, that’s why they have them! Getting to know your professors also lets them know you a little more, and more importantly how you’re doing in their class. You can ask them questions and see if they have any additional tips for you to use in order to ace their class. 

Pro tip: Building a relationship with a professor also gives you a great resource when it comes to letters of recommendation. If you’re interested in pursuing an internship, applying for a scholarship, or even additional schooling after graduation, having a professor that can write a glowing letter may be just what you need!

Stay organized (including your class schedule)

There are so many things swirling around you, from classes, hanging out with friends, studying, attending club meetings, or participating in sports, it can get hard to keep everything straight! College is a great place to make friends and have fun, but remember, you’re there to learn and get an education—which means studying, and your classes always come first! Keep yourself organized with planners, apps, and anything else you might find helpful to ensure you don’t miss an assignment or an exam date. 

In addition to staying on top of your classwork (which is a great way to ensure you’re getting good grades) did you know that how you schedule your classes throughout the week can also have an impact on whether or not you get A’s? That’s right, scheduling your classes so there’s breaks in between can set you up for success. While freshmen might not have this luxury right away, try to work space between your classes as much as you can, and refrain from making them one right after the other. When you have time for a breather, you can relax and reset for your next class, and even get some studying done while you’re at it! 

Must-have item: Keep everything organized with the Weathered Organization Kit.

Try study groups

The saying two heads are better than one definitely holds up when it comes to earning A’s at college. If you can, try and join a study group, or at least find a study buddy you can bounce ideas off of for the semester. If you’re confused or have questions, chances are other students in the class do too—which is why meeting up to discuss issues or problems is a great way to be sure you’re on track for A’s. Having other people to study with holds you accountable, because you wouldn’t want to flake on them and miss your meetup! No matter if you meet to study once a week or right before major exams, working out the class material is always easier in a group. 

Study throughout the week

In addition to finding a group of people (or just one person!) to study with, you’ve also got to ensure you’re putting the time in studying yourself. This is where it helps to have a class schedule that breaks up your day, leaving you time in between to study or get necessary jobs done like laundry, etc. No one wants to find themselves cramming right before the exam, or writing their paper into the early hours of the morning the day it’s due. These are not good strategies for getting A’s! 

Instead, make sure you’re keeping up with the material you learn each week, and that you actually understand it. If not, it’s time to visit your professor or call your study group. Getting in the habit of continually studying will not only allow you to synthesize the material easier, you’re more likely to remember it come exam time!

Must-have item: Stay warm no matter where you study with this  Hoodie Blanket!

Make sure you’re taking care of your mind and body!

Last but never least, you can only expect to get A’s when you’re treating both your mind and body well. Make sure to eat right and on a regular schedule. We get it, pizza for dinner and coffee for breakfast are easy—but not something you should be consuming everyday! Make sure to eat balanced, get some exercise, and always make time for sleep. It’s also important to make sure you’re having fun, after all this is a part of the college experience! Just chill in your dorm room, hang out with friends on the quad, or check out how the football team is doing. Whatever it is, make sure to make time for leisure!

If you’re serious about getting the best grades, make sure to find a healthy routine that works with your schedule. 

Remember, you don’t need to stress out about getting good grades when you follow these tips and utilize these helpful items. Keep at it and you’ll see those A’s in no time!