10 tips to get good grades in school

Being an A student could be very demanding. In fact, getting good grades in school doesn’t come by luck. It requires hours of uninterrupted study and unwavering commitment to your studies.

The difference between an A student and others is the desire to reach the peak and not settle for average. This desire is then fuelled by determination and consistency. The good news is that despite the sacrifices one would have to make, the end result is truly worth it.

Getting good grades is very important as a student. It is like the core purpose of your study. However, not all students can boast of good grade in all courses/subjects.

Some courses seem to be just practically impossible to pass for some students. Many factors are responsible for this but here are some practical hacks to help you improve your grades.

By the way, we recently published an article showing you 6 things you should do before finishing school. I recommend you also check it out.

Below are easy steps to guide anyone to becoming an A student:

1.  Study a course that you have interest in / build interest in the course you’re already studying

The basic way to avoid failure as a student is to choose a course which interest you. Because it is the interest which will motivate you in being the best.

It will be quite difficult to excel academically in a field which one detest, as there will be no reason to work hard. If you dislike mathematics or statistics and still choose it as a course of study, the dislike for the course could make you reluctant to learn it.

However, having interest in a course is a positive force to academic success.

It is still true that you can not be good at what you are not interested in. The journey of a good basketball player starts with he or she having interest in the game.

Same applies to all professions. Same applies to schooling.

To be a professional in a course or subject, you have to develop interest in it. There is no particular method to do this, it is basically mental assertion.

Do you hate mathematics? Do you like calculating money? Connect the dots. Let every number be a currency figure to you.

Do you hate Agriculture? Do you have a best food? Just dot the I’s, let every crop mean a food to you.

As mentioned earlier, there is really no proven method for this, just find your mental comfort zone.

See our blog showing you how how to manage your study time in school.

2. Discover a favourable reading pattern

The problem most students face is the inability to discover a reading pattern that is favourable to them. Some students do have long reading span while some do not.

Some cannot stay awake for hours at night while others can. Few students can quickly understand what they read in ten minutes while others will have to read for a couple of times before assimilating.

Students, knowing which reading pattern works for them, will increase their chances of being an A student.

You probably already know your own reading span and pattern. Make the most of it.

3. Study one day at a time

If you want to achieve academic success in your studies, you would have to read daily. You will not rush to assimilate the entire note and material few days or hours to an examination.

Studying one day at a time will enable you cover a wide range of materials. It will also reduce the tension which come with examinations, mostly when one is not prepared.

Reading at the close of each day or weekend could help to reduce academic work load for you.

4. Take a break

Creating a study timetable is important. But also, including a break time in it is more important.

The saying that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” is also applicable studying. Taking a break after hours of reading will help you to relax, feel relieved and also refresh your memory.

You don’t want to move around with a clogged memory. It can weary you, and make you unhappy.

During the break, you can read a novel or magazine, watch a video on on your phone or television, or have a nice meal.

When the break elapses and you return to study, your brain becomes more active in retaining information. Try it and see how awesome it works.

5. Build interest in your teacher/lecturer

Most students find this very difficult. And most lecturers makes it harder for the students. But the truth is that to understand the lectures, you must understand the lecturer.

Lecturers have different patterns or methods of teaching. So, a student have a lot to gain from a teacher-student rapport.

To understand a teacher, simply apply these methods;

• Try to know the teacher more personally. Observe him/her from a distance.
• Try to answer questions in the class. Even if you don’t know the answer to any question, try asking an intelligent question instead.

6. Follow people that are academically sound

The course that is hard for you is easy for someone else in your class. To build yourself in a particular course, it is advisable to hangout with people that finds the subject interesting.

Socialise and make friends with them. Discuss about that subject with them. Study with them. Do assignments and projects with them.

Find out how they enjoy that subject. The association will positively affect how you relate to the subject and very soon, their passion and knowledge of the subject will rub off on you.

If you generally aren’t doing well in your studies, hang out with people who are academically sound and has a track record of doing well.

It is a fact that everybody cannot have equal level of mastery on a subject. Some people just naturally excel at some subjects, but hanging around such people will help you to a large extent.

See my post on: How to build healthy relationships in school and why you must.

7. Get enough study tools

Most people fail courses because of lack of study materials. Some school textbooks are not easy to read. Even at that, some students even lack the textbooks as well as reference books, workbooks and the likes.

Getting enough material on the course is a show of interest. Get online information, get background history, get previous projects/experiments or research, check for those formulas.

See my post on how electronic gadgets can impact your academic work.

Arm yourself with enough tools for study that you can easily access. School materials are good, but if you want to increase your knowledge on the subject, you need to gather other materials.

The more study materials you get, the more your interest builds on the subject.

8. Read wide and broad

There is no shortcut to good grades. Gathering study materials without actually studying them is a waste of time.

To build proficiency on a subject, you can not rely only on what you were taught in class. You must also learn to engage in after-school study.

Study within your curriculum, study beyond your curriculum. Read ahead, that way you gain an upper hand when the topic is taught.

Read on every topic you can find concerning the course. Most lectures are mainly summary of the topic. To really understand, you have to go back and study more about what you learned.

The more time and concentration you invest in a particular topic, the better you become at it.

9. Attend tutorials

Tutorials are helpful ways to gain insight on what was taught in class. Most undergraduates at school will confirm that tutorials helped them understand a previously taught topic well.

If it works for you, look for a good tutorial and sign up. Most tutorials are cheap. Some are even free, especially those sponsored by senior colleagues who have political aspirations.

Just make out time and be willing to learn and re-learn.

Again, the impact of the tutorial is determined by the level of focus you give it.

10. Read to know and not only to pass

The only advantage cramming gives you is a good grade, but not a lifetime knowledge. Students who cram do so only to pass an examination and that doesn’t really make them A students.

The quality of an A student is one who does not only have a good grade, but academic knowledge in his/her field of study.

Students who read to pass are known as required readers. They read because they don’t have a choice. And it is certain they forget everything they read immediately the examination is over.

To truly be an A student, you must study to show yourself approved. My post on how to start life as a graduate may also prove helpful.

What more?

Good grades are as a result of discipline and the right association.

Also, the improvement does not occur overnight, it is a gradual process. The change will be seen in your next term/semester results.

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