You've been coasting along for a couple of semesters with no major bumps in the road. That is, until you look at your class averages and find out that you haven't been doing as well as you'd hoped. A lower-than-expected GPA can be frustrating, but you have the power to make it better!
If your college GPA needs a little TLC, don't worry. You can bring your GPA up if you take steps to get and keep better grades right now.
Five Tips to Improve Your College GPA
Improving your GPA is doable with a proactive, focused mindset. The results will pay off, and you'll be proud of yourself for putting in the extra effort! Here are five tips to help fix and increase your GPA in college:
Table of Contents
- Be Honest With Yourself
- Set a Goal and Create a Game Plan
- Stay Engaged in Class
- Ask for Help When You Need It
- Make Studying a Team Effort
1. Be Honest With Yourself
If your GPA is not where you'd like it to be, take a step back and find out the reasons why. Ask yourself questions, and be honest with the answers. What was going on in my life when my grades started to slip? What don't I understand about this topic? Which exams did I struggle with and why? The more you can pinpoint specific problems, the easier it is to fix them.
2. Set a Goal and Create a Game Plan
As with any major goal, improving your GPA needs definitive progress markers to become a reality. Calculate what your grades need to look like to achieve your desired GPA by graduation or earlier. Don't feel like you need to do the math alone. Your college counselor or academic advisor is there to help you with these exact questions — so reach out to them!
If you think you can realistically achieve your ideal GPA, start making a list of things you can do to help you get there. Buy a planner, plot out assignments and study time by day, week and month, and start changing your study habits. Your advisor can offer tips and guidance for how to start.
3. Stay Engaged in Class
Don't skip class, especially if your professor deducts points for absences. Pay close attention in class and take thorough notes — doing so will help you absorb the material and create a great studying resource. If something is mentioned in a lecture PowerPoint, or if your professor writes it on the board, it will probably show up on the exam.
4. Ask for Help When You Need It
If you're ever confused about a topic or assignment, talk to your professor right away! In particular, make sure you understand the specifics of how your class grade is broken down. Is there a grade percentage for in-class participation? How many points are deducted for late assignments? Read over your syllabus thoroughly, and go to your professor's office hours with questions related to grading or assignments.
5. Make Studying a Team Effort
While your grades are your responsibility, having a supportive network of fellow students to study with can help you improve your grades significantly. This is especially important if you're all working toward a common goal.
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