I’ve been an A-B student for a while, mostly B student. I’m wondering how some of you achieve straight A’s in college? I’ll be taking only math and physics classes. I understand different methods of studying, and I feel I spend A LOT of time studying. In class I’ll sit up front, sometimes record lectures, take detailed notes, etc. I just can’t seem to always get an A, or even straight A’s. Anyone have any advice?
Go to Harvard. They’ll give you an A just for showing up.
Did problems. Did lots of problems. We were often given 80 or more practice problems before a physics 1 exam; I tried to do all of them. Same for Calc, same for Chem. If I didn’t understand something I looked it up online and watched videos (particularly helpful for this summer’s Calc 3 class).
Also, when I am just beginning to study for an exam (often up to a week in advance), I reread my notes and condense them into a new, handwritten set of main ideas.
I was an A-B student in high school too (primarily Bs), but I now have straight As in college. I’ve found that because I get to choose my courses and plan my own schedule, I’m more interested in my course work. If I’m having fun with what I’m studying, I tend to do well. I’m a math and CS major, music minor, and not taking english and history courses have greatly relieved my stress level too. Because of the variety of courses that meet gen ed requirements, I’m planning on taking courses like classical mythology and either intro to women and gender studies or psychology to fill those humanities requirements, which are much more interesting to me. I know I can do well in those courses too.
Also, since it doesn’t sound like you’re a freshman, you have a track record to examine. What is netting you lower grades than you’d like? Do you ignore the homework? Do you procrastinate on readings? Do you have test anxiety?
@bodangles I have test anxiety :\ I feel like I work really hard to achieve an A, but it doesn’t always end up that way. I think sometimes my OCD gets in the way and I waste too much time on going over pointless readings just to read things in order, or I’ll spend too much time on things that aren’t as important, but my OCD won’t let me get around that or let it go incomplete for that moment. I think I need to learn how to manage my time better somehow.
Study to the test. Manage your time. Study to the test. Know your professors (what they’ll care most about on the test). Study to the test.
I’ve had straight As throughout college, with the exception of an A minus in creative writing, but I’m kind of a “bad student” because my attendance is poor and I almost never take notes. I don’t really know why my grades aren’t worse, but here are some factors that might have something to do with it:
- Most colleges have grade inflation on some level.
- I tend to avoid lower-level classes, which are often graded more harshly.
- A lot of people say you should take a "balanced" schedule rather than overloading on one or two subjects. I've never followed this advice because I like math and I want to take mostly math classes. :P I think it's easier to have an unbalanced schedule because your classes will overlap and encourage the same kind of thinking.
- I procrastinate a lot, but I'm probably less inclined to procrastinate than other people because I really like my classes. There's a lot of pressure to major in something lucrative, but you still shouldn't choose something you hate.
Some other advice:
- My feeling is that "good students" often struggle unnecessarily because they focus on actions (going to class, taking notes, reading the textbook) rather than outcomes (learning the material). In most cases, this is okay because "good student" behaviors are strongly correlated with doing well on exams and getting good grades.
However, there are also cases where “good students” psych themselves out studying instead of cultivating an appreciation for the subject in a more relaxed way. A lot of people have a “no pain, no gain” mindset that makes school way more difficult than it has to be.
Schoolwork (or whatever) isn’t inherently painful just because it’s productive. If you’re studying something you like, the work should be fun on some level. Even if you’re not, it’s rewarding to get things done. Usually, the most arduous part of a task is gathering the motivation to start.
- Make friends in your classes and study together. (Most of my professors have also encouraged collaboration on homework. I think the best way to avoid sketchy situations is to try the homework on your own first so you have solutions of your own and you won't be tempted to do anything approaching copying.)
- Study from sources other than just your notes and the assigned textbook. (MIT Open Courseware is a good example.) Every source will give you a slightly different perspective on the subject, which means you'll end up with a more nuanced understanding.
Thank you @halcyonheather for taking the time to type that, I appreciate it. Very helpful 