7 Effective Principles that’ll Skyrocket your School Grades

It’s easy to do: a small slip up in one class, another minor slip up in the next – and before you know it your school grades are going downhill – then you realize it’s time to kick into high gear and FAST.

While the struggle feels real, with a quick attitude makeover and a few easy to remember, effective principles, you’ll be on your way to an exciting year ahead! Discover what it takes to skyrocket your school grades from ground zero to great heights of success in no time flat!

Cancel the “Fashionably Late” trend

Punctually challenged? You’re not alone. Being late to everything is something nearly everyone has struggled with at some point. Traffic jams, long lines, you name it. The inevitable “Ugh. I’m running late AGAIN” text might as well be pre-programmed in your iPhone. Professors, on the other hand, don’t find it so amusing, and will reflect that in your school grades. Studies show that consistently tardy people are viewed as procrastinators, disorganized, easily distracted, self-centered and just inconsiderate in general. Ouch.

My advice? Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to get ready, and be realistic about what you can do in that time. Kick out all the last minute non-essentials like emptying the dishwasher, or checking Instagram  (hint: most of them can wait), and focus solely on allowing PLENTY of time for the unexpected. If there’s usually a lot of traffic, plan for it.Getting to class early allows you to get a good seat, get prepared to pay attention, and not miss a moment of class. Your school grades will improve and skyrocket as your anxiety lessens and your mind can better absorb the material.

Stay focused. There’s an app for that

Taking little “mental breaks” is tempting. You’re already on your laptop writing a paper, why not switch quickly over to Facebook for a quick scroll, right? Too often those little breaks turn into time-sucking sinkholes and concentration (along with the drive to improve your standing) goes out the window. Self Control is a free MAC app that keeps you from getting distracted by social media for a time limit set by you. For your PC, iPad, iPhone, or Android, there’s Freedom. Concentration and focus are keys to the improvement of your school grades and when there’s free help available to get you there, why not?

Don’t wait to review your class notes

Immediately after class is the best time to review your notes. The knowledge is still fresh in your mind and if there are things you want to gain a better understanding of, highlight them for research.

Study to understand rather than memorize

If you’re like most, when you study to remember, the memorized information is quickly forgotten rather than truly learned. Study until you’re able to explain the information as though you’re talking to a friend.  It may feel a little awkward at first, but don’t be afraid to explain the information out loud until you feel you have a full understanding. When you genuinely KNOW the information, not only will your school grades improve, but you will feel great that you’ve actually LEARNED. Try this:  practice studying the effective principles in this list and then explain them to a study partner. Hear your partner’s ideas for other score skyrocketing tips as well!

Be selective about your study group

We’ve all hold those total “mom sayings” about birds of a feather and all of that, but in the case of a study group, mom’s actually right. Studying with students who are serious about their status will inspire and motivate you to stay serious about yours. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with choosing only to study with focused, driven students. You’ll gain different perspectives on the material and find better ways to understand difficult subjects.

Develop a positive relationship with your professor

A lot of students go through an entire semester barely saying two words to their professor. Don’t be that student. Ask questions during class, and stay after class to introduce yourself and talk about anything that comes to mind. Show up to office hours at least once. The point is to let your professor know who you are by putting a face to the name, and showing that you actually care. While schmoozing won’t go very far with a good professor, showing genuine concern for your position will.

Hire an online tutor

Along with practicing the effective principles above, if you’re serious about staying at the top of your game, hiring a tutor can give you the exact push you need to succeed. As opposed to private tutors, online tutors may not even be in your own country! Online tutoring lets you skyrocket your school grades by learning at a time that works best for you, developing a deeper understanding of the subject at hand and learning in a style in which you feel most comfortable.