Secrets of College Success from Dr. Dave's Mom

These are ways to enhance your college grades. Remember, a disciplined approach is something you can control and it really pays off!

1) Schedule your classes to fit your biorhythms. Leave some hours between classes to study when possible.

2) Attend every single class no matter what!

3) Sit up front - pick a chair in one of the first two or three rows.

4) Take one small 3-hole notebook to classes. On the paper list subject and date for a class and take careful notes. Each day come back to your room and put the pages for each class in a class "subject" notebook and store it. Don't carry all your notes around with you. The worst thing you can do is lose all your notes before an exam! If you keep your notes in your room (maybe on a closet shelf) they are more secure.

5) When taking notes, write EVERYTHING down, even if you think you will remember.

6) Take notes on your readings in the texts (don't just underline). When taking notes on a chapter, start a new page, list the chapter and write lots of notes. Place in that "subject" notebook in a separate section. One section is for class notes and one section is for text notes.

7) Go to all "extra" classes and labs, especially review sessions before exams!

8) If the professor uses an unfamiliar word - write it down and look it up later. Put word and definition in your notes.

9) Study each day. Don't just study before exams.

10) Look up the date when you can drop a course without penalty. If you are making a really bad grade in a class, drop it before it is too late.

11) Each professor should give you a syllabus. This shows the plan of the course and the exam dates. Read it carefully and note important dates on a big calendar in your room.

12) Always aim for an A, not a C. Aim high and study accordingly. Studying is the key!

13) Always turn in assignments on time! Get assignments ready ahead of time so you can look them over several times before you turn them in.

14) Use your dictionary, speller, and other grammar aids. Professors hate errors.

15) Don't study with other people unless you have spent a lot of time studying alone first. Other students may be sloppy and wrong!

16) Learn how to cite sources correctly in reports, essays, etc. Don't plagiarize, even by accident.

17) Keep careful guard of your computer, books, notebooks, etc. Put your name, address, and telephone number on everything. Also put these on anything you turn in along with the due date.

18) It is always good to read a text chapter twice, the first time to get the general idea (and maybe underline) and second time to take careful notes.

19) Keep copies of anything your turn in. Teachers lose things too! Be extra sure to keep copies of things turned in by email.

20) Keep any exams you get back and can keep. Put them in your subject notebook. Look up anything you miss and make notes on the exams because often these same questions will be on the final exams.

21) Take advantage of any tutoring available.

22) Before exams go over your subject notebook, reread hard chapters, and reread and review all your class notes.

23) Very important! Show interest in class. Professors hate to look at a classroom full of students staring into space, dozing off, fiddling with their papers or watches, or in general looking bored. This saps the enthusiasm of the professor. If you want an interesting professor then be interested and communicate your curiosity about the subject matter. The professor will respond by being much more interesting. Bored looks squash any teacher's dedication and joy in teaching. It is a two-way street and students don't usually realize that they motivate the professor just as much as the proessor motivates them!

24) Get plenty of sleep.

25) Eat brain food.

26) Exercise and socialize. Enjoy college life. It is the greatest!!