12 Habits That’ll Improve Your Grades

While it may seem difficult to improve your grades without losing your mind and spending all of your free time studying, it’s not impossible. All it takes is a little bit of effort and some new habits. While studying is important (and so is paying attention) there are plenty of other contributors to your grade that should be acknowledged.

These habits will definitely help earn you some points with your professors and help you to become a better student, which in turn should help improve your grades. Plus, a lot of these habits aren’t very difficult at all. You got this.

1. Participating in each class

In classes that aren’t necessarily participation-heavy, at least try to make your presence known. This might be asking your professor to elaborate on something or even just sitting towards the front and making the occasional, but oftentimes dreaded, eye contact. Don’t be the student whose hand is up constantly regardless of whether or not they have anything of substance to say, but do contribute as much as possible.

2. Putting your phone away

Whether you’re actually using it or not, having your phone out can very easily be portrayed as being disrespectful or it can make it seem like you really don’t care about the class and are not paying attention.

Also, ensure your phone does not go off during class by turning it off or putting it on airplane mode. If you’re waiting for an important call, let your professor know beforehand so they know you’re not just being rude.

3. Taking notes with a pen and notebook

While this isn’t always the best method for all classes, for many classes it’s a great way to force yourself to focus more and pay more attention. You can’t just open a new tab and check Facebook and oftentimes writing things down help them stick in your memory.

Bonus Tips: Guide to Taking Notes in College

4. Showing up to class early

There’s no need to get there ridiculously early but by the time class begins, you should have already taken off your coat, gotten settled and taken out your books. By arriving to class five minutes early you’re allowing yourself to get prepared and settled before your professor starts teaching. If this isn’t possible, at least try to not be late.

5. Attending your professor’s office hours with purpose

Every college advice post ever, probably including mine, advises you to go to your professor’s office hours. The problem with this is it’s a lot easier to do when you’ve got an actual purpose or reason to go. Some suggestions might be:

1. Seeking help or advice on a project for another class/article for the school paper. Because of their expertise or background you believe they might have some valuable insight or may let you interview  them. For this, be sure to ask in advance as I mention below. 
2. Explaining your worries about an upcoming exam and asking questions on SPECIFIC TOPIC HERE. (Come prepared with questions!)
3. Showing interest in their field/industry and you want to hear more about their experiences in the field.
4. Expressing questions or concerns about your grade or the feedback you received on a recent assignment or exam.
5. Asking how they suggest you study for the upcoming exam or begin your paper.

It’s also helpful to ask the professor beforehand in person or via e-mail if it would be alright for you to drop by their office hours, especially if what you’re needing to talk about is not entirely relevant to the course. This is a polite way to ensure they’ll be at their hours and give them a heads up.

8. Making the professor know (and remember) your name

Don’t be annoying, but do attempt to participate or engage enough to the point where when your professor is giving you your final grade, they don’t need to scratch their head to figure out who you are. It’s also easiest to do this when you consistently sit in the same seat.

9. Sitting in the front or the middle

This is another good way to ensure your professor is familiar with you. It’s easier to forget a face that’s way in the back of the room than it is to forget one near the front. This is also helpful when it comes to participating and being able to easily see the board. Plus, on a real note, it’s way easier to force yourself to pay attention if the professor is literally right in front of your face.

10. Asking intelligent questions

Whoever said there’s no such thing as a stupid question was probably that annoying kid in class who asks questions the professor just answered or already responded to in the syllabus. While everything you ask doesn’t need to be the next great breakthrough, try to ask questions that are thoughtful or haven’t already been answered.

It may be helpful to even scrawl down your questions in your notes during class and save them for after class or office hours if you get a bit shy or nervous in front of the entire class. Although, if it’s any comfort at all, always remember that there’s a high probability a lot of the class isn’t even paying attention to you because they’re on their laptop or comatose with boredom.

11. Proofreading all of your work

Proofreading isn’t only for your major research papers. Proofread anything that gets turned into your professors whether it be a quick e-mail, a homework assignment or a pop quiz. Grammatical and spelling errors can easily be avoided, which can make a huge difference. Just simply reading something over twice can make a huge difference.

12. Keeping track of all due dates and deadlines.

The worst way to earn a bad grade is by missing deadlines or forgetting to turn projects in. Add Reminders, Google Calendar notes or even physical notes in your planners on the day things are due and for the week before. Let yourself know in advance so you can avoid remembering the deadline the night before the assignment is due. Personally, I like setting reminders for projects a week before, three days before and the day before just to ensure I keep reminding myself to get it done.

Personally, I like setting reminders for projects a week before, three days before and the day before just to ensure I keep reminding myself to get it done. Clearly I don’t trust myself to listen to only one reminder. It’s okay to set a bunch, just be honest with yourself.

If you want more habits that’ll improve your grades or tips for being a better student be sure to also read How Not To Be An Asshole: College Class Edition and How to Get Straight As. 

How do you improve your grades?