<p>I have been admitted into UGA, but am worried about maintaining a high GPA required for the top grad schools. I am not worried about the knowledge based subjects(history, biology), but for subjects that you actually have to solve problems(chem., physics, calc.) how can you actually learn anything with another 300 kids in the class with you? How hard is it to actually talk to and know your professors? How hard is UGA for a student who actually needs to study to get an A and sometimes just a B.</p>
<p>Sit in the very front of the class. I always sat in the first or second row of the class. If you sit in the front, you block everybody else out in the class. You won't realize how many people really are in that classroom. It also keeps you focused on the professor since they can see you. I came from a private school where there were classes with less than 20 people to UGA, where I had class sizes ranging from 45-300. The change wasn't difficult for me. Sitting in the front turns that 300 class into a 5-8 person class - the people just sitting around you. </p>
<p>Go to their office hours. It's hard to ask questions during class, but every professor has office hours. Use them! I did, and you won't believe how much it helped. You can get to know your professor if you try and you guys click. I've only run into one professor that just didn't work well with me, but I had good luck with every other professor I tried getting to know. I ended up having one of them two semesters in a row, so I got to know her well through office hours. Getting to know your professors is up to you - you can make the effort or not. They won't do it for you. </p>
<p>Getting the grades you want is up to you too. You can work hard and try, and your hard work should pay off in most classes. I was able to get the grades I wanted this semester, but I didn't get it without plenty of effort and sacrifices to my social life.</p>
<p>Welcome to UGA! You're gonna love it :)</p>
<p>I completely agree with what jenmarie has said. I have done very will with grades in all different courses by doing the same thing in every one..</p>
<p>1) You don't have to sit in the front row, but sit at least in front of the middle of the room.</p>
<p>2) Don't bring your laptop if you don't need it. Before classes start make binders for each class and treat it like high school probably made you (FOR A REASON). Take a look around the classroom- most people that bring laptops either multi-task between games, facebook, and notes or don't do any notes at all. While I realize it's very possible to do both (I sometimes bring a laptop to class especially if you're good at the class)- you'l find that you learn more when you just get out a sheet of paper and really listen to everything the professor is saying.</p>
<p>3) Do at least some work outside of class. Before classes at least take a brief glance over what the professor is going to cover- the 3x look method taught in grammar school is proven to work. If you look over beforehand, pay attention to it in class, and then study before the test you will probably remember it for the test and beyond. DONT CRAM</p>
<p>4) When it is time to study try to ditch the laptop and get outa your room. Go to a table where all you have is your materials and learn the most effective strategies for that class. Most classes you can't just read the material like high school. For example: in college Economics classes it's not enough to just know the facts. You have to be able to apply them to conceptual and analytical problems that require full understanding of the material. To study for that you need to read through the material and then try to find problems that will test you to find where you don't fully understand the concepts. You will find that you study differently for most classes.</p>
<p>I hope that helps. Get ready and make sure you enjoy your time at UGA. Work out your schedule to times that fit what you like and try to experience all the advantages of being a student in Athens. You only have 4 years.</p>