5 Changes to an Improved College GPA

Contributed to Flickr by Sterlic

A new academic year for college students means new goals, new classes, new roommates, and new fashion trends (which I will continue not following).  For me, it means a new attitude about and commitment to my GPA.  My GPA last year was terrible.  And, being the grad school hopeful that I am, this means I need to step it up and balance out last year’s thoughtlessness.

These five changes have made the difference for my academic career.

1. The MyHomework App. I discovered this joyous invention on Pinterest.  All I have to do is put in my assignments, projects, and tests, plus their due dates, and it reminds me to do them.  Simple as that.  This helps eliminate the “crap-that-was-due-two-days-ago” effect that afflicts those who share my terrible memory.  I have an iPhone, so it’s almost excessively convenient, but it’s also available for Android and iPad, and you can access it online at MyHomeworkApp.com.  It does require a subscription, but given that the $1.99/year fee is less than I’ve spent on Taylor Swift’s promotional singles (not to mention less than I would have spent on a planner), it’s worth it.
2. Peppermint Tea.   I love peppermint tea.  It’s by far my favorite flavor of herbal tea (although I am shaking it up by trying Mint Medley this week—it’s peppermint AND spearmint!).  Here’s the tie to academics: preparing peppermint tea and sipping it makes me feel calm enough to work on the projects I’ve been putting off.  I make a cup every time I have to write an unfortunately complicated paper or study material I don’t remember learning. Plus, it was a real lifesaver when I was sick last week. I always have a box in my cupboard.
3. Going to Class.  I know, I know—“You’re kidding! Going to class is actually HELPING your GPA? What is this BLACK MAGIC?!”  Really, though, especially for required classes that I feel like I can pass in my sleep (such is the life of a psych major), it’s ridiculously easy to talk myself into staying in bed just one more hour instead of going to class.  But no more.  Treating classes like work appointments is making it easier for me to get there consistently.
4. Doing the Homework. This goes with the “go to class” comment.  Nike was really onto something with “just do it”—no rationalizing, no considering how much not finishing an assignment will affect my grade.  Just do it.  No more, “eh, not doing this one paper will only lower my grade by two percent…” It’s a slippery slope, people.  Take my winter semester GPA as Exhibit A.
5. Choosing Not to Settle.  You’ve done it. I’ve done it.  We see the chance to get an A instead of a B for just a little extra work.  The difference between an excellent grade on a paper and a decent grade on a paper is an extra hour of research—but that hour is during “Switched at Birth” on ABC Family…so we settle for the B.  Here’s the deal. A B on a difficult paper is great… if you gave it all you had. Settling for a B or a C when you could have had an A is like stuffing your GPA in the back of the closet during a party, where it cries lonely tears.  Don’t do that to your grades.  I definitely did.  But we’re back on speaking terms, my GPA and I, and I’m not going to settle for less than we both deserve.

My GPA will come back—at least a little.  What changes have you made to your study habits? Share your ideas and advice below.