Get Your Grades Up

By Victoria Troxler

Fucked up on midterms? Right there with you, Jerks. This semester I have dug myself quite the midterm hole to crawl my way out of. Apparently the professors that assigned reading this semester actually expected me to do it. Well shit, now I know. With only a few grades in most of my classes, this hole is probably a few miles deep by this point. Though I should have had a heart attack after getting my grades back, I am now a seasoned veteran at the mid-semester turn around. Follow my advice and you’ll be just fine.

Think positive.

You did this to yourself, so there is no point in stressing yourself out over the last grade. Think about the next test or project. You might say this is naïve or even stupid, but this mindset has helped me almost every semester of my college life.

Ditch the computer.

Though your class is boring as shit, avoid the urge to bring your computer. You won’t even try to pay attention while you search Pinterest for cute animals. Go with an old-fashioned pencil and paper.

Start reading.

I’m still shocked by this concept, but professors really do assign readings for a reason. Do them. If you do a few pages each night you’ll be right on track.

Talk to your teacher.

Ask your professor for ways to raise your grade. Showing that you care about your grade means a lot to them. Whether it be participating more in class or doing some extra credit, your teacher will want to help you out. By no means do you need to turn into the teachers pet, but do your shit.

Say goodbye to Tuesday nights.

Leave drinking to the weekends. Your Tuesday night blackout routine isn’t helping your studies. I’m not suggesting you study all night, but doing some reading and going to bed early will help your study time on Wednesday as well.