I know how frustrating it can be to receive a grade you weren’t expecting on an assignment. If you know you want to boost your grades, but you feel stuck hopefully this article will help you. This article is also helpful if you are just starting a class and you are worried about how you will perform in your upcoming exam. I compiled a list of tips you can start using immediately to improve your grades.

Fight the urge to throw out your failed assignment 

After getting a low grade you might be tempted to throw the assignment away immediately. It is a better idea for you to keep all of your past assignments until the term ends. You should always review past assignments. Try to understand where you went wrong and take notes as you go over your work.

Review the syllabus

It is important to review your syllabus. It is important to track your grades throughout the semester. Some professors have a breakdown of how much of your grade each assignment is worth. It is also a great way to keep track of how many major assignments and exams you have that semester.

Plan ahead 

If you did poorly in the beginning of the semester, it may be a good idea to start planning ahead. You can track when assignments are due so you can start early.  Planning ahead will also ensure that you have adequate time to study for each exam. You can utilize planner sheets when you are trying to improve your grades. I have some free planner PDFs HERE.

Boost your productivity

I have an article on boosting your productivity HERE. Boosting your productivity can be helpful if you procrastinate often or you are struggling with your course load. 

Go to office hours 

Going to office hours can be extremely helpful. In some schools you can attend office hours for your professor, your TA, or other professors in the department. Your syllabus might have the days and times of the office hours offered for your class.

Find out what type of learner you are

Understanding your learning style can be a game changer when you are struggling in a class. Having a learning style that differs from the way your professor teaches may be why you find a class difficult. If you can find out what type of learner you are, you can study in a way that suits your learning style.

Try a new study method

There are various study methods that work for different people. Sometimes you may feel stuck, because the study method you are using is not suitable for the way you learn. I covered 8 effective study methods HERE.

Pay attention to cues from your professor 

Your professor may give hints about which equations or vocabulary words are important to remember for your upcoming exams. Some professors may even mention topics they like to focus their tests on. These cues can help you structure a study plan.

Quiz yourself on new material

Quizzing yourself is a great way to  boost your retention. There are many great ways to do this. You can utilize apps like Quizlet or Anki. Quizlet gamifies your flash cards and it can generate practice tests from your flash card list. Anki allows you to use spaced repetition to review your flash cards. 

Look for new resources 

It may help you to find outside resources. Having the same information worded differently may be easier for you to retain. Some professors even list additional textbooks or materials in the syllabus. You may also be able to find additional resources on YouTube, Khan Academy, or from open courses offered by other schools.

Celebrate small victories 

Make sure you reward yourself when you make small improvements. This can help you avoid losing momentum when going through material. You can always set small goals for yourself.

Change the way you take notes

Sometimes the way your notes can make it harder for you to review materials. Changing the way you organize your notes may make learning new material easier for you. I found a great new website called RemNote. It is great for keeping organized digital notes. It also has a built-in spaced repetition flashcard function. You can also try color coding notes. My invite link to try RemNote Pro free trial is HERE.

Find out what services your school has to offer

Many schools have free tutoring services and academic help centers. Some TAs may even host remediation sessions. You may be able to find out about these services on your school portal, from the school librarian, or from postings on the boards near your classrooms. 

Try to review the material more frequently 

Try to review the material shortly after class. Then, try reviewing it periodically leading up to the exam. It may be easier and less stressful  for you to retain information you learned in small amounts over a longer period of time. Cramming tends to be far more stressful. You are also less likely to retain anything you learn and less likely to develop a deeper understanding of the material covered.

Find things that can calm you down when you feel anxious

It is important to have a healthy coping method for whenever you are stressed or anxious. This can help you prevent burn out. It may be beneficial for you to start a self care routine. Meditation may also be beneficial for you. I also have an article with essential oils that may help you study HERE.

Remember that a bad grade will not ruin your life.

Sometimes a bad grade totally throws you off and it may feel like there is no way to improve after that. You must remember that a bad grade will not ruin your life. You can always recover from a bad grade. Remembering this will help you stay motivated. I have an article with motivational quotes that may give you a boost when you are feeling down HERE.

Practice healthy habits and maintain balance

When trying to boost your grades it is important to maintain a healthy balance. Try to make sure you are getting enough rest and avoid neglecting your health while studying. Always try to practice healthy study habits and a healthy self care routine. Pulling all nighters to cram without eating properly can take a toll on your body. I have an article that covers some self care items you might love HERE.

Find a study group or leave your current group

Sometimes studying alone limits you. There may be a method or a mnemonic that one of your classmates is aware of that can actually aid in your study process. On the other hand, working in a group hinders some people. Some students do not work well in groups and may get distracted. If you find yourself getting distracted from studying, it may be time to leave your study group.

I hope these tips will help you improve your grades this semester.