Tips To Getting Good Grades - Especially For First Years

Hello,

Yes, you have just been selected to a tertiary institution to pursue further studies.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Almost all of you will be leaving the comfort of your homes to venture out into this mysterious world. I know you are psyched to kick start this year, but also a bit fearful as you do not know what lies ahead. I just want to assure you that it will all be okay, just get the adjustment phase right and you are in it to win it!

I have outlined below 7 seven tips that should get you settled in and on your way to the top. Be blessed.

1. Study Buddies

If you are an introvert, I understand. You can skip this part if its too much for you. But if you are not then you will definitely need study buddies. They cannot be just 'anyone'. They have to be people you are comfortable with, people you can communicate openly with. They also have to be people who can push you to become a better version of yourself; people who can aid in building you, both as a student and as an independent individual.

2. Semi-Mentor

Having a semi-mentor is a crucial step in your grounding process. This is the person who will be helping you with almost everything you need to know about school, and more specifically, your respective course. This person has to be in a class/year higher than you, and preferably, older. This person will break down the subjects and explain them to you. He/she would also inform you on the lecturers and professors.

3. Get Textbooks ASAP

It is of vital importance that you get the prescribed textbooks as soon as possible. This prescribed textbooks can either be given to you in class by the lecturer or through course outlines issued at the start of school - usually during the first two weeks. This books contain in-depth content - and on a broader scale - of what is presented to you in class. They will come in handy when you have to read ahead of classes or have assignments and tests.

4. Study Habit

Yes, you can watch tonnes of videos on YouTube about how to study but I assure you, they wont work if you do not fully understand yourself. It is paramount that you figure out your own study habit - this involves knowing when you are most alert during a 24 hour period. The more alert you are, the more you can absorb, thus maximizing your time. Study during this periods. If you are a night person, do it then, but remember to get at least 8 hours of rest because your body needs it. If you are a day person, do it then.You do not have to study hard, you just have to study smartly.

5. Solving Problems (School Work)

I would advise that you spend a lot of time on a single problem to better understand it, especially the ones that you find most challenging. Its like doing math, solve it well and make sure you know it by heart.

6. Exam Preparation

I will do a separate post on this but to help you get an idea of what you are in for, and for extra practical questions to answer, get previous exam papers. Statistics show that most exam questions are repeated but rephrased - the idea or concept is the same.

7. Attitude Towards School

Last but not the least is your attitude towards school. Your attitude must be positive. It must be positive to subjects, lecturers, and learning as a whole. Despite what kind of lecturer or subject, developing a negative attitude towards him/her/it will only affect you so protect yourself and learn to look beyond such minute discrepancies.


All this will only work for you if you choose to work it. At the end of the day, it all comes down to you. How bad do you want it?

ALL THE BEST THIS SEMESTER!