COLUMN: Want good grades? Read this
Welcome back! As we commence a new semester, now is the time to make our academic new year resolutions. As the ASUSU academic vice president, I have come up with seven easy ways you can improve your academic performance at Utah State. It is my guarantee that you will do better in school if you.
* Go to class. It sounds simple, but attending class is the best and easiest way to do well in school. Though you may be tempted to just get the notes from a friend or download them from the teacher’s PowerPoint, nothing can compensate for being in class – both physically and mentally. You’re paying for your education; you deserve to receive it first-hand.
* Sit close to the front. We’ve all heard teachers say that ‘A’ students sit in the front row, ‘B’ students in the second row, etc. However, this statement does hold true for a few reasons. By sitting close to the front, you have fewer distractions between yourself and the professor. Furthermore, with your professor in such close vicinity, you have more incentive to stay awake!
* Get know your professors. At the beginning of the semester it’s useful to touch base with your professor. Doing so helps you to know what criteria you will be graded by. Also, it lets your professor know you care about the class.
* Plan your academic calendar. Teachers give you the syllabus for a reason, USE IT! Go through them all today with your planner and write down exactly when you have quizzes, assignments, tests and especially finals. Doing this early allows you to work out any concerns or questions you have now. For example, university policy states that a student does not have to take more than two finals in one day. By working out your schedule now, you can talk to your professor and reschedule one of those finals. Also, if a teacher has a test scheduled during no-test week (the week before finals), you can get it moved to an earlier time in the semester. In short, doing your academic planning today prevents a lot of worry and stress.
* Meet with your adviser. Advisers can not only help us know which classes to take, but they can also provide insight into your career choice and exactly how you will get from graduation to the work force. Plus, they can get you graduated as soon as possible.
* Utilize Supplemental Instruction (SI), free math tutoring and the Writing Center. Each of these programs is set up specifically to give students a free, easy way to boost their grade. Using them has been proven to improve grades up to one whole letter grade.
* Check out the new Student Academic Council (SAC) Web site. SAC, a committee I oversee, has been working hard to improve the academic environment at Utah State. Our new Web site is a one-stop-shop for all of your academic needs: scholarships, adviser contacts, how to get money for school, etc. Check it out at cc.usu.edu/~taf/SAC.html.
President Kermit L. Hall has said, “Academics come first at Utah State.” Make this statement true in your own pursuits this semester. Good luck!
Karly Petty is the ASUSU academic vice president. Comments can be sent to kpetty@cc.usu.edu.