If you are anything like academic-minded the collegiette ™ we think you are, one of your new semester resolutions is to improve your GPA. We feel you. By this point in the year it is obvious that GPA does matter not only for TWAMP bragging rights, but for internships, grad school applications and post college opportunities. Improving your GPA doesn’t necessarily mean you need to surrender to the cult of Swem and forgo frat parties, date events and Gossip Girl. In fact, doing well at this grade-deflated school is actually a lot easier than you think!
Here are 8 ways you can make it happen:
1. This is going to sound weird but stay busy! I found that when I had less down time, it forced me to focus on school work when I needed to. When I got involved in more things, I felt like I was accomplishing more and it reflected in my GPA.
2. Communicate with Professors. The great thing about this school is that they really DO take the time to communicate individually with you. Take advantage of that! If they see that you are concerned and want to get better, they will often take that into consideration when giving out final grades.
— Maddie Bradsher (’12), English
3. I create a typed study guide for every quiz or exam that I have throughout the year, and by the time finals roll around, I can just copy and paste them all into one massive study tool. Everyone always asks me for my study guides now!
4. Also, I try my best to not fall behind in the reading for any particular class, by scheduling into my calendar when I will read each chapter. That way I can space out the reading for each class and make sure I don’t cram at the last minute.
— Meghan Dowling (’11), Marketing
5. Participate in class! Professors at W&M love students who voice their opinions, especially if they are grounded in the readings. Then they will be more likely to grade your subjective assignments (papers, short answer tests and essay tests) favorably. You will also get feedback on your thoughts that will help you remember the material come exam time.
6. Put your phone down.Seriously. Put that baby on silent and hide it during class and study sessions. Although we are all excellent multi-taskers, you will absorb so much more if you aren’t distracted by urgent text messages every ten minutes.
— Sarah Nadler (’11), Government
7. Take breaks! Often I push myself and end up spending hours on something that would take much less time. I found that if I allowed myself time off, ie shutting the books at 8 pm, I worked much more effectively.
8. Make a list. If you know what you have ahead of you, you can pace your day out and get everything done!
— Tess Engebretson (’12), Geology