How to Get Better Grades: A Student’s Guide to Academic Success

College statistics reveal a concerning trend – 15% of students become regular cheaters in their quest to discover how to get better grades. The numbers paint an even grimmer picture as 87% of students confess they have cheated on written assignments.

These numbers make sense. Smart students sometimes find their grades slipping below expectations, often due to circumstances beyond their control. Low scores on timed tests or difficulty retaining significant information for exams can frustrate any student – getting good grades isn’t always easy.

The good news? Students typically can boost their GPA by 0.1–0.5 points based on their starting point, and this improvement could mean the difference between basic graduation (2.0+) and Honor Roll recognition (3.5+). Better grades become possible once you identify your academic roadblocks and apply tested methods to overcome them.

Let’s explore practical ways to improve your school grades without taking shortcuts in this piece. We’ll walk through everything from effective study techniques to discovering your best learning approach – all the tools you need to boost your grades and reach your academic potential.

Identify Why Your Grades Are Low

You need to understand why you’re getting your current grades before you can improve them. The first vital step to getting better grades is finding out what’s holding you back.

Look for patterns in your past performance

Your academic history can teach you a lot about your specific challenges. Get all your recent assignments, tests, and project grades from different subjects together. Take a good look at the areas where you do well and where you struggle.

Research shows that grades change based on several things: your teacher, the subject, how well your classmates do, the time of day, class size, and term. On top of that, there are differences based on race and gender, even among students who take similar classes under the same conditions with matching test scores and attendance.

Take a close look at your best and worst subjects to get the full picture. Do you always have trouble with certain types of assignments? Maybe essay questions give you more trouble than multiple-choice tests. Your homework grades might be great, but test scores could be pulling down your average.

Yes, it is your overall effort and skills that usually affect your grades more than anything else. This shows up in your attendance and test scores. So, knowing these patterns helps you zero in on exactly where to make improvements.

Assess external and internal challenges

Students face two main types of obstacles that affect their grades:

External barriers are things you can’t control directly. Studies show that 34.7% of students say family duties and 36.1% point to work commitments get in the way of proper studying. These outside pressures limit study time and hurt academic performance.

Internal barriers relate to personal issues with focus, motivation, and learning methods. About 45.8% of students say they can’t focus well on their work. Students who face these internal challenges are more likely to drop or fail classes compared to their classmates.

Here are signs you might have internal or external challenges:

• Can’t concentrate during study sessions or class
• Don’t participate in classroom activities
• Changes in behavior or mood
• Poor grades despite working hard
• Physical problems or getting sick often

Smart students often get low grades because of specific problems like not being challenged enough, classroom distractions, test anxiety, poor study habits, perfectionism, or disorganization. Finding out which of these affects you most is key to fixing the problem.

Talk to teachers for honest feedback

Teachers give you a valuable point of view on your academic work. Research shows that constructive feedback helps you keep improving by showing both your strengths and weak spots.

Visit your instructors during office hours or set up a quick meeting. Ask them specific questions about how you work, participate in class, and complete assignments. To name just one example, see why you missed certain test questions or how to make your writing better.

Remember that feedback works best when you get it regularly throughout the term. This lets you make changes before final grades come in. Studies show that students who use teacher feedback to start conversations become more active in their learning process.

Finding the real reasons behind your academic challenges through looking at patterns, being honest about obstacles, and getting teacher feedback gives you a solid starting point. Now you can build effective strategies to improve your grades.

Build Better Study Habits

Good study habits are the foundations of academic success. Your grades might be low for several reasons, but you can build strategies that will revolutionize your learning process and help you get better results.

Create a consistent study schedule

Time management makes a huge difference in getting better grades. A structured routine helps you learn better than random studying. You should figure out your peak alertness hours early birds should tackle tough subjects in the morning, while night owls might do better in the evening.

Here’s how to create a schedule that works:

1. Start with fixed commitments (classes, work, meals)
2. Put study sessions right after classes when you can
3. Make use of those 1-2 hour gaps between classes
4. Keep study blocks under 2 hours per subject
5. Add buffer time and breaks to avoid burning out

Your planning should be realistic. Students often think assignments will take less time than they do, so here’s a good rule: figure out how long you think it’ll take, then double that time. A weekly planning session on Sunday evening helps you stay on top of deadlines and manage your coursework better.

Use active learning techniques

Active learning means you work with the material instead of just reading it. This method helps you remember and understand information better. Research proves it builds higher-level thinking skills like analysis, evaluation, and knowledge creation.

These active learning methods work well:

• Talking and listening – Talk about ideas, ask questions, explain things to others
• Writing – Put information in your own words
• Reading – Ask questions while you read
• Reflecting – Link new information to what you know

The best results come from using several methods together. To name just one example, read a chapter, write what you learned, then explain it to someone else. This approach creates stronger memory connections that make it easier to remember during tests.

Avoid last-minute cramming

Cramming might seem like a normal part of college life, but research shows it doesn’t help you learn well. You might pass a test after studying all night, but you’ll forget most of it quickly.

These research-backed methods work better:

Spaced studying means spreading your learning across several shorter sessions over days or weeks. Your brain works harder to remember things this way, which actually makes your memory stronger. Research shows that spacing out your study time works better than cramming everything at once.

Interleaving combines different subjects during study time. Instead of five straight hours on one subject then five on another, study each for an hour at a time across different sessions. This keeps your mind active and stops you from thinking you know something just because it feels familiar.

A consistent schedule, active learning, and no more cramming will help you develop study habits that boost your grades. Better yet, you’ll gain deeper, lasting knowledge. That’s what real academic success looks like.

Improve Class Engagement

Students who participate in class score 25% higher on exams than those who don’t. Your academic results improve when you take an active role in classroom activities.

Pay attention and take clear notes

Note-taking does more than record information. It helps you process what you learn. The best spot in class is near the front. This helps you stay focused and avoid distractions. You’ll concentrate better if you keep your phone out of sight and use headphones to block noise.

These note-taking methods will help you organize information in a logical way:

• Cornell Method: Your page splits into sections for notes, questions, and summaries perfect for structured review
• Outlining: Bullet points help organize major concepts and supporting details
• Mapping: Visual concept maps connect related ideas. This works great for STEM subjects

We focused on capturing main concepts instead of writing down every single word. Listen for phrases like “most important” or “to sum up” that signal key information. Looking at your notes within 24 hours helps you spot gaps and clear up confusion.

Ask questions when confused

Questions do more than clear up confusion. They spark critical thinking and help you remember material by expressing thoughts you haven’t put into words before. Your brain participates actively with the content when you ask questions, which leads to deeper understanding.

Don’t hold back when you need something explained. You’ll get better answers from open-ended questions compared to yes/no ones. Give yourself 10-20 seconds to process after asking complex questions.

Participate in discussions

Class discussions turn passive learning into active involvement. Your ideas stick with you longer when you share them, and you understand the material better. This participation builds communication skills that employers value.

Small-group talks work better if large groups make you nervous. The “think-pair-share” approach might help: think about it yourself, talk it over with someone else, then tell the class what you learned.

Your participation doesn’t always need words. Interactive tools, polls, and chat features make you 16 times more engaged than just listening. The key to better grades lies in finding ways to participate that feel natural to you.

Find What Learning Style Works for You

Your academic success depends on understanding how you learn best. Each person processes and retains information in their own way. Learning your priorities can help you get better grades without working harder.

Visual, auditory, reading/writing, or kinesthetic?

The VARK model, accessible to more people now, identifies four main learning styles that show how we absorb information:

Visual learners process information best through images, diagrams, charts, and other visual representations. You likely have visual learning tendencies if you remember information from graphs, mind maps, or color-coded notes. These learners find it hard to stay focused during long lectures without visual aids.

Auditory learners absorb information best through listening and speaking. You’re likely an auditory learner if lectures stick better than textbook readings or you prefer talking through concepts. Recorded lectures and verbal explanations of complex topics work best for these students.

Reading/Writing learners thrive with text-based materials. This might be your dominant style if you enjoy taking notes, creating lists, and reading textbooks. Written summaries and text-heavy resources give these learners the best results.

Kinesthetic learners learn concepts through physical movement and hands-on experiences. You may be a kinesthetic learner if you find it hard to sit still or learn better through experiments and activities. These students often write messily but shine in lab environments.

It’s worth mentioning that all but one of these styles might work for you. Many people use different approaches based on the situation.

Adapt your study methods so

After identifying your learning priorities, customize your study approach:

For visual learners: Design mind maps, use color-coding systems, draw diagrams of processes, and turn text notes into charts. A seat at the front of class will give a clear view of visual teaching aids.

For auditory learners: Record lectures to review later, read materials out loud, discuss concepts with study partners, and repeat key facts verbally. Memory improves when you create rhymes or set information to music.

For reading/writing learners: Write detailed notes during lectures, explain information in your own words, create outlines from textbooks, and use flashcards with definitions. These learners excel especially when you have annotation techniques.

For kinesthetic learners: Break study sessions into short blocks with movement, use physical objects to represent concepts, and learn through hands-on activities. Something as simple as chewing gum while studying can help you focus better.

Use tools that match your style

Your learning style works best with specific resources:

• Visual tools: Mind-mapping apps like MindMeister, color-coded highlighting systems, and video tutorials from platforms like Khan Academy.
• Auditory tools: Lecture recordings, podcast platforms, text-to-speech applications like Speechify, and audiobooks through services like Audible.
• Reading/Writing tools: Note-taking applications like Evernote, Cornell Note-Taking System templates, and written study guides.
• Kinesthetic tools: Interactive learning apps with touch-based activities, physical flashcards for manipulation, and experiment-based learning for science subjects.

Whatever your learning style, practical application strengthens understanding. Your grades will improve as you use reflection and journaling to move information from short-term to long-term memory.

Get Extra Help When Needed

You might find that studying alone isn’t enough to boost your grades. Many top students ask for help as part of their strategy to improve academic performance.

Use office hours and tutoring

Meeting professors during office hours gives you valuable one-on-one learning time. Students who visit office hours build better relationships with their instructors and get clearer guidance about assignments and tests. You’ll get the most value by coming prepared with specific questions and taking good notes during these sessions.

The campus tutoring center can be a game-changer. Small-group tutoring sessions that meet at least three times a week with professional tutors work exceptionally well. These sessions are 20 times more effective for math and 15 times better for reading compared to regular tutoring. Students gain an extra three to fifteen months of learning across different grade levels.

Join or form a study group

Working with classmates creates a relaxed space where you can ask questions without feeling judged. Study groups also let you see how others learn, which helps expand your own study techniques.

Study groups work best with six or fewer students. The first meeting should set clear goals and expectations. Assign roles like facilitator, timekeeper, and note-taker to keep sessions productive.

Think about private tutoring or summer programs

A private tutor customizes lessons to match your learning style and speed. They spot your challenges quickly and help build on your strengths while giving instant feedback.

Summer programs at universities are a great way to get portfolio-building certificates that make college applications stronger. These programs offer university-designed courses in specialized areas like data science, medicine, or business.

Conclusion

Academic success improves when students understand their learning challenges and apply proven study strategies. Identifying personal obstacles, such as focus issues or external responsibilities, allows for targeted improvement. Consistent study habits like spaced learning and active recall enhance long-term retention and academic performance. Active class participation boosts exam scores and communication skills, while aligning study methods with individual learning styles increases efficiency. Seeking academic support through tutoring, office hours, or study groups strengthens outcomes. Small, consistent improvements can significantly raise GPA over time. By gradually applying these evidence-based strategies, students can close the gap between current performance and academic potential.

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