How to Survive with A's in the University

Attend Class

Go to class, every class, every time. It is very common and very easy not to attend class. "I can always get the notes from a friend". In some schools you can even purchase the class notes. Or maybe, "the notes are on reserve in the library". It does not matter. This is a justification for a bad habit.

Learn Actively
Participate in class. If you don't understand something, ask. Go to the professors office hours if asking questions in class is intimidating. This is what the office hours are for. Ask yourself questions. Think about the material; apply it; discuss it; play with it; live it! Discuss the concepts in lecture with friends over pizza. It will make learning fun to get engrossed in the topic, rather than simply trying to memorize.

Study Regularly
Study routinely, a set amount each night. Force yourself to be mature about it. Comes exam time, you won't be in a panic. Make a study schedule and stick to it.

Form a Study Group
Form a study group early. Quiz each other and keep each other motivated. A good study group will help you earn good grades. Meet with your study group routinely, once or twice a week, every week. Forming a study group should help you study regularly.

Maintain a Support System
Keep in contact with your friends, family, and life outside of college as well.

GETTING AND KEEPING GOOD GRADES IN THE UNIVERSITY

In the university, your grade in each course determines if you are going to graduate with a first class, 2^nd class upper, 2^nd class lower, third class and pass.

Grades can mean the difference between graduating and being left behind, between a well paying job and getting only a minimum wage etc. Test result can reveal areas of strength and weakness of individual and act as motivating incentives for future study.

The following are ways of making good grades in the university:                                                            
Take responsibility of Learning:University students often blame lecturers for failures while crediting themselves with success. This shifting of blame is frequently unjustified; it is often due to laziness, lack of motivation and lack of determination on the part of the student. Good students take responsibility for their learning.

 Have the Right Study Environment: You will benefit from a quiet place when you want to study. If you cannot find a comfortable place at home, try a public library or a friend’s home. If possible use a desk or table with much space on which to spread out your work. And please, turn off your TV or Radio, you cannot serve two masters.

  Follow a Time and Routine: Most students discover that a routine or pattern of doing things is helpful in getting results. They use such MNEMONIC system as SQ3R (survey, questions, read, review, recite) etc in studying. Survey means glancing through the assigned material, noting subheadings, charts etc in order to get an overall view. Questions means making questions based on chapter titles or topic sentences. Read means reading the material with view to making it a part of you and answering the questions formed earlier. Review means scanning headings and testing your mastery of each section. Reciting means telling yourself from memory what you have just read without looking your books or study cards.

  Handling Test and Examinations: When you are told that there will be a on a certain date or when examination time-table comes out, do not become apprehensive. Never be intimidated by anyone (whether a lecturer or a student) into dreading test or examination.