How to Earn that 4.0 GPA

In high school, getting straight A's probably took about half the effort that it takes to earn a C in some college courses. Back then, you could cram right before an exam, do your homework the morning of and finish a major project during lunch... and STILL pass. College, however, is a different game, with different rules and different stakes. This means that you have to adjust yourself appropriately, and that's okay, because I'm going to tell you exactly how I got my 4.0 semster GPA while working two jobs, working three internships, honoring multiple community service commitments and preparing to study abroad.

1. Find your Production Zone

Consider this to be something like a comfort zone, only this time, think about what makes you productive and what keeps you from being productive. In high school I was section leader in the band, goal keeper on the soccer team, on the wrestling team, on the math team, in Hip Hop Detoxx, and a lot of other things. I was so active that I had to schedule time to eat, sleep and do homework, and I liked it that way. Somehow, I was making straight A's as a student in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and this hectic schedule worked for me. Freshman year of college rolled around and I was no longer a student athlete, on the math team, or in the band, and I had all the free time in the world. I had 18 credit hours and one job, literally working in my dining hall, and that was it. I was told that the more time I could devote to my studies, the better. They were wrong; I got terrible grades. But, why? Thanks to my academic advisor, I realized that I thrive when I know I have a lot of work to do, little time, no room for error and a tight schedule. When I have little to no committments, a lot of time and a lot of work to do, I procrastinate a lot more because I always feel like I have time to do something - even if I don't. But that's me, and you may be like this, or you may be the complete opposite and need to slow down a bit. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results. Trial and error, my friend, switch things up a bit. If you're barely active and getting average grades, try increasing your committments and involvement. If you're always at work or in a meeting and finding little time to take care of yourself, but your grades are suffering, try cutting back a little bit. You have to find your rythym, because it's not going to find you.

2. Plan Accordingly

Choosing classes is EVERYTHING. Don't even bother trying to squirm your way into that 8am section of that elective, when you know that attendance is 60% of your grade. Sure, the class may be fun and easy but you can always take it next semester when your time ticket is earlier. If you know that science and math classes can break your GPA, try not to overload yourself if you don't have to. Try to find a balance of GPA savers and core/mandatory classes that will still allow you to graduate on time.

3. Plan, Schedule, and Plan and Schedule Some More

Juggling all of my committments was tough, but I made sure that I never missed a beat. I kept a large calendar on my wall, a weekly dry erase board calendar for my to-do list, a monthly assignment calendar and a monthly committment calendar. You may not need to do this, but I found that writing and re-writing things helped me remember and having them in multiple places kept me on point and from over booking. Now, I've graduated to having a daily/weekly calendar, where I can keep notes and plan out my daily schedule from 7:00am to 9:00pm. I have an additional monthly calendar to note due dates and events.

4. Talk to Your Instructors

No matter how big or small the class size, I make sure that my teachers know who I am. I answer questions, I make suggestions, I ask questions, anything to show that I'm involved and engaged. If I can use my laptop in class, I sit directly in the front to let them know that I'm focused and listening. By showing my professionalism and building a personal relationship, I know that they can always give me the benfit of the doubt. If you prove your work ethic and consistency early on, you're more likely to get an extenstion when you really need one. (Again, ask! They may say yes, they may say no, but you can never get an extension if you don't ask.) They may also give you the extra few points at the end of the course, that can boost you from an A- to a solid A. Being proactive about building this type of relationship with your instructors can lead to a life saving letter of recommendation!

5. GO TO OFFICE HOURS RELIGIOUSLY

I cannot tell you how many teachers have begged for students to attend office hours and receive the course's keys to success. In one class, I've had a professor use office hours to teach secrets how to pass his exams; in another class, the TA's basically graded your homework and gave it back to you, so that you could submit an error free assignment. You don't know what you're missing unless you go. If you can't make it every day, fine, but you definitely need to go to office hours for EVERY class, at least once a week. It can ONLY help you! If work or another class conlficts with their hours, set up another standing appointment or check in before or after class if they say it's appropriate. (Some instructors act like you just cursed at them if you try and disucss personal business/questions outside of office hours.)

6. Do the Most

I don't care if it's a big lecture, GO TO CLASS EVERY SINGLE DAY! I don't care if YOU think it'll make a difference or not, DO THE EXTRA CREDIT. For all you know, they may just be impressed that you tried and help you out. If you missed an assignment or it's late, do it anyway and submit it! They may take it, they may not, they may take points off or they may just remember your effort later when you're really in need. You really do get out of a class, what you put into it. This also means carving out time to work on assignments EVERY SINGLE DAY whether it be at home or in the library. If it's due next week, do it today. Every minute counts. I actually dedicated 3 hours per credit hour, per week, to completing assignments, studying, reviewing notes, planning and whatever else I needed to do. So, since I was enrolled in 18 credit hours, I spent at least 8-9 hours a day studying, to reach a 54 hour weekly total. This could be 2 hours in the morning before class, after class, at work, between classes, on the weekends, whenever. It didn't matter how I got my 54 hours, but I did.

7. Make Provision for Yourself

Death in the family? Sick? Stressed? Find out who to talk to and talk to that person and get it documented. The system doesn't care about how the stress of college affects our minds, bodies and souls, so if you suspect that you may be slipping, make sure you can back it up. This way, if you need an extension or a retroactive drop, you can get it.

8. USE YOUR RESOURCES

In addition to your instructor and their office hours, your classmates, your peers and Google, are your friends. Find those old notes to get ahead, get your classmate's notes if you missed class, find that old or new study guide online! Quizlet, Course Hero and Study Blue are your friends... your BEST FRIENDS, so make use of them, please! Getting together with a group of people will also keep you on top of things. Again, these things can only help you.

*NOTE: It's okay if you become a little obsessive. For me, it was a good thing -- a great thing actually. I always talked with my instructors about my performance AND how I could improve. I made sure they knew that I wanted to learn and exceed their expectations. (Yes, we know we don't pay this much money to learn and walk away with anything less than an A, but some teachers can't stand grade grubbers. That's why you have to ask for the formula to exceed expectations, don't even mention letter grades.) Be sure to set SMART goals, stick to them, and follow through. If you get an extension, don't miss it or turn it in right before the deadline, do it early -- because it's still late! Show your instructors that you respect their time and knowledge, and it'll get a lot easier. No matter what, make sure that you hold yourself accountable. Learn from every mistake and don't let it happen again. Any mistake that happens more than once is not a mistake.

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