To the people who make 4.0 GPAs in a semester: What tips and advice can you give

[alexfoleyc]

I am in a serious need of boosting up my gpa. I noticed how if I get a solid 4.0 for only one semester, I can boost up my gpa by a great deal. Getting a 4.0 this semester was my goal, but I failed horribly. One main problem is that I dont understand some of the material and I usually end up spending a lot of time. So, the thing is that I put in lots of hours but still dont make the grade.

My questions are:
1. How you managed your time?
2. How much time did you spend each week? (Assuming you studied on weekends)
3. And any general and specific tips you can provide. (Especially for sciences courses and labs.)

Thank you all in advance.

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[alexfoleyc]

I am taking 17 credits next semester including
two sciences classes.

 

[EMS5]

I am in a serious need of boosting up my gpa. I noticed how if I get a solid 4.0 for only one semester, I can boost up my gpa by a great deal. Getting a 4.0 this semester was my goal, but I failed horribly. One main problem is that I dont understand some of the material and I usually end up spending a lot of time. So, the thing is that I put in lots of hours but still dont make the grade.

My questions are:
1. How you managed your time?
2. How much time did you spend each week? (Assuming you studied on weekends)
3. And any general and specific tips you can provide. (Especially for sciences courses and labs.)

Thank you all in advance.

1. Time management...I don't write a schedule to manage my time. Generally, at the beginning of the week, I look at what I need to get done in what order.....prioritize......
2. This past semester I also took a 17 credit load, including 5 lectures, 1 lab, and 1 seminar. On average, I spend anywhere from 6-15 hours a week on homework,studying,etc. I do concepts during the week, and in-depth stuff on the weekends (i.e. during cellular resp, got the stages and energy yield down during the week, memorized the molecules and enzymes on the weekend)
3. Science courses - I write notes out of the text book into terms I can understand easily. In chemistry, do lots of practice problems. In biology, make sure you understand the concepts. For lab classes, make sure you understand what is happening in a given experiment or reaction.

Hope this and other advice help you out a little bit. good luck in your studies

 

[Iso4ane]

one [/I]semester, I can boost up my gpa by a great deal. Getting a 4.0 this semester was my goal, but I failed horribly. One main problem is that I dont understand some of the material and I usually end up spending a lot of time. So, the thing is that I put in lots of hours but still dont make the grade.

My questions are:
1. How you managed your time?
2. How much time did you spend each week? (Assuming you studied on weekends)
3. And any general and specific tips you can provide. (Especially for sciences courses and labs.)

Thank you all in advance.

Try to study whenever you can, don't cram for test, study when you're wide awake and not tired, take breaks (5mins) every so often (every 60-90mins) to help refresh the batteries, go to class and actually pay attention, if given lecture notes/slide during the lecture write down everything in your own words, and depending on the class either go through the notes multiple times or rewrite them, and then try to recall everything by memory (a white board might come in handy here), oh and if you can try to do really really well on the midt-term exams, so that when finals roll around you don't have to stress as much, and when you are under less stress, you tend to do better.

 

[mike911]

Hey, I have gotten a 4.0 the past 3 semesters, and i should def get one this semester. I did not get them freshman year, because I simply did not try or care... mistake, but nonetheless when i started trying i have always gotten A's.
1. I usually got to class in morning, lab, gym, study from 6-10 four days a week. Studying inclusdes studying, papers, homework
2. I dont really do anything on friday or saturday... sunday i do some work. So prob almost 20 hours a week for studying and work in general.
3.Adivce would be to have confidence and accept nothing less then an A. if I get a B+ on a test.. I failed in my mind... keep that outlook it works for me

 

[mangomadness]

1. time management- like the other poster said, prioritize. id make a schedule of things that needed to get done. a to-do list, if you will. if you have 10 chapters to study, break it down over the week/weekend. and stick to it. generally, if you have actual reports or hw to get done, do that first, then get to the studying.
2. i dont think there was ever a set time. sometimes it was more, sometimes less depending on what was coming up in the week, tests, etc. you don't need to be like I HAVE TO STUDY 20 HRS this weekend. spend enough time to get everything done. TAKE BREAKS. do not think that studying continuously without looking up from your book is gonna make you learn it better. take a bit of time for yourself.
3. It took me a while to figure out my study skills, and how i work best. For me, rewriting concepts did help. As did being able to explain stuff to other people. If you can do that, you usually know it well enough. Diagrams are helpful in upper level classes, esp where you have tons of cycles, etc. And finally, if you enjoy group studying, do not go into it thinking you will magically learn everything from everyone else. You need to go into group studying already having reviewed the concepts on your own. then, y'all can quiz each other on it.
good luck, and a 4.0 can def be done!!

edit:: def agree with some of the other posters-- do not cram for tests, these never end well. and go into a test wanting to do your very best, and don't settle for a lower grade.

 

[cicatrez879]

damn

 

[HolySmokes]

I didn't get a 4.0 my freshman year because I was lazy, but since then I have (except this semester, I mean come on, who gets a B in a lab?). All of my semesters have included 3+ math or science classes, and honestly the best advice I can give is to do practice problems for subjects like math, chemistry, physics. I always take notes in class and usually vaguely understand the concepts, but it always solidifies them when I do practice problems. For biology or other subjects that are mostly memorization, I have somebody quiz me on it over and over until I have it down. I try to avoid studying in groups because they almost inevitably get off track, but studying with just one other person works for me.

 

[Slowpoke]

Heres my mindset throughout each quarter:

1. I study because I want to actually learn the material. Anything that has an associated video with it I always watch it (youtube) it keeps the material interesting and not monotoned.

2. Study for the final each day. This should be your mentality. The material you are studying is not just for a short-term period of time, its for your education and betterment (is this a word?).

3. Use each powerpoint slide as a flash card. If there are headlines, start grinding yourself with questions (i.e. "Amino Acids in metabolism")

"What are amino acids?"
"What do they do?"
"What do they look like?"
"What is metabolism?"
"How is metabolism and amino acids related?"

Most of these questions can be answered rather quickly via google.

4. At first, it will go by slow. But as you build your foundation of basic science knowledge it will all make much more sense as you will naturally revert back to basic concepts you've seen to explain new ones.

Lastly, start to meld concepts together making the vital synaptic connections between neurons in your brain. Believe in yourself, and work hard for the conveted four oh.

 

[alexfoleyc]

I really appreciate everyone's tips. I was starting worry, b/c I am spending lots of time studying but still not doing well. So I realized maybe something is wrong with my methods for studying.

 

[apumic]

4.0 the last 3 sem here (3.8 overall).

1. I pretty much do what needs to get done when I have time available. I tend to optimize my time via multitasking & learn the vast majority of what I need to know during class.

2. I'm probably not one to model yourself after when it comes to study time as I typically learn 99% of the material in class and don't really need to study. When a test is coming, I spend about 3-5 hrs reviewing 24-48 hrs prior to the test. For difficult subjects where I lack most of the course prereqs, I will spend more time but it varies. My biggest suggestion is to understand concepts. I can usually synthesize most/all of the details in science courses using conceptual knowledge. That being said, I do all the study guides.

3. Know concepts. I cannot stress this enough. If you understand why x leads to y, you needn't remember all the steps individually as there is often onlly one way it could occur and you can quickly rework through the basic science on an exam.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I am in a serious need of boosting up my gpa. I noticed how if I get a solid 4.0 for only one semester, I can boost up my gpa by a great deal. Getting a 4.0 this semester was my goal, but I failed horribly. One main problem is that I dont understand some of the material and I usually end up spending a lot of time. So, the thing is that I put in lots of hours but still dont make the grade.

My questions are:
1. How you managed your time?
2. How much time did you spend each week? (Assuming you studied on weekends)
3. And any general and specific tips you can provide. (Especially for sciences courses and labs.)

Thank you all in advance.

manage your time..
if its the night before a test.. you better be studying... 2 hours for a psych test
3 to 5 for a science test
give yourself breaks inbetween classes..
for example.. i got a whole hour between my english class and bio class
giving me time to go study some more and ask question from ta's

realisticly... time management is difficult, depending on your major
im psych major
i dont do much period.. i get a few essays and study..

my general tip. major in something easy, take course loads that arent too easy but not too challanging..
if your a latent learner.. study every other day the chapter
if your a memorizer and concept graber, study 5 hours before the test and you'll be good

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

manage your time..
if its the night before a test.. you better be studying... 2 hours for a psych test
3 to 5 for a science test
give yourself breaks inbetween classes..
for example.. i got a whole hour between my english class and bio class
giving me time to go study some more and ask question from ta's

realisticly... time management is difficult, depending on your major
im psych major
i dont do much period.. i get a few essays and study..

my general tip. major in something easy, take course loads that arent too easy but not too challanging..
if your a latent learner.. study every other day the chapter
if your a memorizer and concept graber, study 5 hours before the test and you'll be good

ehhh strongly disagree, I like to study plenty so when it's the night before the test I don't study more than 2 hours.

 

[s1lver]

1st semester - just one A and the rest, Bs
2nd semester - all As

Here's what I did:

* I bought the textbooks even though they weren't required.
* I read the night before.
* During lectures, I would ask for clarifications (if any).
* At night, I would re-read everything again.
* Then I would read again for tomorrow's lectures.
* Used Google Calendar to plan out my days/weeks/to-do list (e.g., from M to W study for Span exam, register for exam on Thurs., etc.).
* Always carried a small piece of paper so I can quickly write down stuff (and then later add to Google Calendar or notebook).


Google Calendar + studying 2-3 hrs. every day = world of difference




PS - Oh, and no more Warhammer Online or World of Warcraft! 😀

 

[FIREitUP]

defnitely make sure you are studying smart, not just studying. Go to the office hours of your professor and discuss the subject matter so you can get a more in-debt understanding of it. you also need to stay on top of the material throughout the semester so you don't need to rely on cramming.

 

[s1lver]

One main problem is that I dont understand some of the material and I usually end up spending a lot of time.

This happened to me with my Biology class. I would spend half a day reading about gene expression or cellular respiration but I still wouldn't be able to fully understand it.

But if I spend 10 minutes on YouTube watching vids that explain these topics (and also from other videos posted by different school websites), I would learn the topic much much much faster!

 

[apumic]

Wanted to add... Watch the strongest students in your class. I've noticed students can largely be grouped into 3 crowds:
The Efficient A students--"minimal" studying, catch what profs are emphasizing in classes & can pretty much tell you whats on the test before taking it; minimalistic notetaking (write whats written on board & then listen and take key pts, etc. only)

The Diligent B students--amazingly hard workers, often memorize everything but struggle for their As; diligent and knowledgeable but sometimes work too hard

The Cs Get Degrees crowd--this is basically the grab bag group of people who don't care, have given up, just want to graduate, etc.

The first group is, of course, ideal. It requires getting to understand what your prof sees as important as well as his/her tells. Of course, there really is a spectru & few are in just 1 category.

 

[FlowRate]

1. How you managed your time?
Do work until work is done. Play until there is more work to do.

2. How much time did you spend each week? (Assuming you studied on weekends)
~5(to 10) hr/wk/class ~10 hours/test

3. And any general and specific tips you can provide. (Especially for sciences courses and labs.)
Study until you know the information. Don't put it off if it takes you a long time to learn stuff. (if you are a slow learner, study a little for each class every night, instead of a lot for two nights before a test)

 

[EyEnStein 07]

take some easy classes to go along with your hard classes. Make sure you review everyday if you can even though it might sound liek you just learned it and you dont want to do it again. give yourself ample amount of time to study before the exam. The worst thing that can happen is you've been studyign for 1 subject, and you find you have 2 exams the same week or worse the same day. You dont want to be cramming for them like i do =)

ratemyprofessor is ownage.

 

[JJMrK]

Biggest thing IMO is spending a little bit of time after class to go over all the material since the last test. If you can learn as you go like that you'll retain the information a lot better, and you don't have to work as hard in general. No real reason to kill yourself over the weekend or right before a test.

 

[metallica81788]

I'm definitely not the person you want to talk to about time management or consistent studying, but...

3. Do really well on the first test and keep your intensity up the whole semester. You don't want to be in a hole before the semester really even starts, and you don't want to have to count on a final for an A.

And take advantage of any potential brownie points (i.e. quizzes, homework, little assignments, etc.) that can save your ass in the end - only, of course, if your class has them.

Good luck.

 

[tennisball80]

Get things done as early as possible.

 

[amikeMD]

Advice, start strong.

I have gotten a 4.0 5/7 semesters, overall 3.97 gpa. Only non-(A) in labs.

I normally do great one the first test, and then put it into cruise control for the rest of the semester. There have been a few times where my professor has been extremely difficult, so doing well on the first test in other classes allows you to focus more on any class that might require more work. If you can't ace the first test of each class, you at least try to do the best you can on the first test. It is normally the easiest one and the material will only get harder.

In terms of studying, I shouldn't be giving advice on this since my studying style is very relaxed now. But during my freshman year I had scheduled times that I would focus on a particular class.

Saturday morning time was for cartoons and chemistry.
Weekdays read the biology/history/other chapter.
Friday morning/afternoon get lab reports/ papers out of the way.
etc.

In terms of notes, it depends on you. I am more of a textbook guy, and almost never use the notes I take in class unless the notes are essential to doing well in the class. Others thrive on class notes. It just depends on the person. You should know what works well for you by now and focus on style.

Overall:

It is difficult for someone to give specific advice as people learn differently. It may take someone only a few hours of studying to get a A on a test, while someone else may need a few days. Find out what end you fall in, then give yourself the proper study time. Is it hard to do? Of course, but if you start off strong, it becomes a lot easier.

Edit:

The post by Apumic is absolutely right. That is basically what I have observed when I compare my learning style to others. I sometimes talk to people who study X+ hrs each day, and think they must be demolishing all their classes. Turns out they normally don't. Kind of weird in a way.

 

[Narmerguy]

The nuances of your study habits will depend largely on what works for you but one thing that I think remains consistent between A students is that you must study frequently instead of cramming. Also, review a portion of material that you've already been tested on periodically so that you 1) Don't forget it if it's on the next test 2) Don't go insane for finals. I think part of my success has been that I'm totally relaxed going into finals because I've usually studied all the old material over again anyway so I'm not trying to cram an entire semester's worth of info into a week.

 

[Beta Cell]

I'm definitely not the person you want to talk to about time management or consistent studying, but...

3. Do really well on the first test and keep your intensity up the whole semester. You don't want to be in a hole before the semester really even starts, and you don't want to have to count on a final for an A.

And take advantage of any potential brownie points (i.e. quizzes, homework, little assignments, etc.) that can save your ass in the end - only, of course, if your class has them.

Good luck.

That's actually awesome advice. It feels really good walking into a final knowing you only need a trivial score on the final to keep an A. This semester in Bio-Organic was the first time I ever was uncomfortable with the score I needed to keep an A in the class. I really hated that feeling, lol. We'll find out Tuesday if I made it. 🙂

 

[IDoIt4Love]

here's my advice:

-get a feel for the workload of the courses you choose in advance of signing up. aim to have a good balance of break-neck and easy-going courses.
-know your study style. like to study in short spurts between classes? then spread your classes out with little 1-hr gaps between them. like to sit down and study for 5 hours straight and get it all over with? schedule your classes back to back to leave big gaps of time in your schedule.
-learn which classes you *have* to read for, and which ones you don't. this can usually by learned after the first round of exams. read for every class before the first exam, and then look back on how you did and where the questions were coming from. if they were almost entirely from class notes, don't bother reading for that class; direct the time you'll save at your weak classes.
-I agree with a lot of others that studying hard to get really good grades on the first exams is a great idea. It sets your tempo/intensity for the semester and perfection is undeniably addictive. Plus, that first exam tends to be the easiest (unless you have a new/inexperienced prof) and those points will be needed when you don't do so well on exams 3 or 4!
-Do ALL extra-credit opportunities. Never pass up free points; they'll cover you when you don't earn the hard ones!
-If you're taking a chem, physics or math course this semester: PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! do NOT do all your practice the night before. spread it out over at least 3 days prior to the exam to give your self a chance to learn, but never underestimate the power of doing practice problems; they ARE a grade-saver!
-if you're taking a biology, history or psychology course: flash cards are your friend. making them in itself is a non-demanding form of studying, and then memorizing them is a convenient way to make use of any gaps of time you have in your schedule without the need of a study partner. I swear by this method!
-if you are taking any labs: write your lab reports as soon as you can after lab is over. the experiment is far fresher in your mind and you don't have to call a dozen of your friends to recall what you did in lab the night before the report is due. This could save a ton of time. Also, I noticed that when lab got out early I seldom used the newly-gained time productively. So why not spend that time, staying in the lab so you can write your report? It's ideal--the teacher is still right there!

and finally:

-DO get at least 4 hours of sleep the night before your exam. In my 4 years in college I rarely saw all-nighters serve the benefit of me or any of my classmates. They are an act of desperation that look like a good idea in theory but will not help you much. the amount you could learn between the hours of 4am-8am will be cancelled out by your inaccuracy due to lost sleep. in light of that fact, wouldn't you rather sleep?

hope this helped. best wishes for your new semester!

 

[FloatOn]

Try to study whenever you can, don't cram for test, study when you're wide awake and not tired, take breaks (5mins) every so often (every 60-90mins) to help refresh the batteries, go to class and actually pay attention, if given lecture notes/slide during the lecture write down everything in your own words, and depending on the class either go through the notes multiple times or rewrite them, and then try to recall everything by memory (a white board might come in handy here), oh and if you can try to do really really well on the midt-term exams, so that when finals roll around you don't have to stress as much, and when you are under less stress, you tend to do better.

This advice seems like common sense but it's really true. Be an active listener and process the info in your head as the professor lectures. It saves you so much time afterwards when you're studying. For this one class this semester, I went to class but didn't pay attention. Everything just piled up and I didn't really know what was going on until the week of the test and I had a bunch of other stuff going on. Sometimes going to class doesn't help at all and I just rely on learning out of the textbook, but this is pretty rare.

1st semester - just one A and the rest, Bs
2nd semester - all As

Here's what I did:

* I bought the textbooks even though they weren't required.
* I read the night before.
* During lectures, I would ask for clarifications (if any).
* At night, I would re-read everything again.
* Then I would read again for tomorrow's lectures.
* Used Google Calendar to plan out my days/weeks/to-do list (e.g., from M to W study for Span exam, register for exam on Thurs., etc.).
* Always carried a small piece of paper so I can quickly write down stuff (and then later add to Google Calendar or notebook).


Google Calendar + studying 2-3 hrs. every day = world of difference




PS - Oh, and no more Warhammer Online or World of Warcraft! 😀

This is going to get VERY expensive VERY quickly. After 3.5 years, I finally realized you don't even need to buy the required textbooks for a lot of classes.

I'm definitely not the person you want to talk to about time management or consistent studying, but...

3. Do really well on the first test and keep your intensity up the whole semester. You don't want to be in a hole before the semester really even starts, and you don't want to have to count on a final for an A.

And take advantage of any potential brownie points (i.e. quizzes, homework, little assignments, etc.) that can save your ass in the end - only, of course, if your class has them.

Good luck.

On this...don't give up on the final, studying for it or while you're taking it. I wanted to give up so many times over the years but I owed myself to give everything that I could.

 

[BBender716]

Simply: from the first day of class until the end of the final...

never take your foot off the gas.

 

[apumic]

Advice, start strong.


Edit:

The post by Apumic is absolutely right. That is basically what I have observed when I compare my learning style to others. I sometimes talk to people who study X+ hrs each day, and think they must be demolishing all their classes. Turns out they normally don't. Kind of weird in a way.

lol...Glad I'm not the only one who's noticed this! 'Though it does make it a bit hard when other people ask how you do it and all you can say is "work less...just 'know' the stuff." But on a more serious note, I think it's really a matter of efficiency. As I've explained to students in my classes who struggle to get a B but memorize the textbook, etc., none of us know everything in that book. You and I may do well, but it's not because we are memorizing the textbook. Instead, I (and I assume you as well) am good at recognizing what matters to the prof (even if you rely heavily upon the textbook/don't use your notes much, each instructor's behavior tells you what in the book to focus on and what you can probably safely ignore/skip). There was even a student success study done on this a number of years ago at UCLA. It was for Strengths-Based education and was looking at how students' strengths play out in their achievements. One example they found for what they termed "empathy" was a UCLA student who would literally write the test questions down as his notes for all of his classes and then ace exams easily. When they interviewed him, they found out he would basically sit there in class and identify exactly how a prof's bx changed when talking about topics upon which he intended to test the class later. Each instructor had specific tells (e.g., facial expressions, vocal tone changes, mannerisms, body language, etc.) that would give away his/her intentions. This student simply took notes on exactly when the prof seemed to be indicating the intention to test something. Through this "method," this student managed to optimize his studying by studying only those topics most important to the instructor. Classic.

IME, by going to class and observing the prof, one can often pick out what's important. Often, I would simply write down what was on the board and then wait through 5 min or so of the prof's talking, letting my brain process what s/he said, and then write down a few key words (as opposed to trying to write everything, which is often impossible in many upper level courses).

 

[apumic]

This is going to get VERY expensive VERY quickly. After 3.5 years, I finally realized you don't even need to buy the required textbooks for a lot of classes.

Many people simply get old editions. Personally, I will buy all required texts (possibly old editions) but generally not anything optional or "recommended."

 

[IDoIt4Love]

oh, and stay the hell away from addictive hobbies like RPGs (role-playing games)! If you really enjoy gaming, play something without a drawn-out plot that demands you to finish/keep going over a long stretch of time, and opt for something more arcade-like. shooter and combat games are good to blow off steam (love Mortal Combat) but Final Fantasy will rob you of precious time like no other.

-Oh, and if you know you're gonna have a tough, study-filled week, do yourself a favor and stay away from your bf/gf. You may really mean it when you say "let's hang out for 15 minutes," but for most of us that ends up meaning "let's hang out for 2 hours." Don't risk it.

 

[chman]

I only have a 3.8, so I won't bore you with my useless advice.

 

[saveourpens]

treat it like a job

 

[steelblue89]

here's my advice:

-get a feel for the workload of the courses you choose in advance of signing up. aim to have a good balance of break-neck and easy-going courses.
-know your study style. like to study in short spurts between classes? then spread your classes out with little 1-hr gaps between them. like to sit down and study for 5 hours straight and get it all over with? schedule your classes back to back to leave big gaps of time in your schedule.
-learn which classes you *have* to read for, and which ones you don't. this can usually by learned after the first round of exams. read for every class before the first exam, and then look back on how you did and where the questions were coming from. if they were almost entirely from class notes, don't bother reading for that class; direct the time you'll save at your weak classes.
-I agree with a lot of others that studying hard to get really good grades on the first exams is a great idea. It sets your tempo/intensity for the semester and perfection is undeniably addictive. Plus, that first exam tends to be the easiest (unless you have a new/inexperienced prof) and those points will be needed when you don't do so well on exams 3 or 4!
-Do ALL extra-credit opportunities. Never pass up free points; they'll cover you when you don't earn the hard ones!
-If you're taking a chem, physics or math course this semester: PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! do NOT do all your practice the night before. spread it out over at least 3 days prior to the exam to give your self a chance to learn, but never underestimate the power of doing practice problems; they ARE a grade-saver!
-if you're taking a biology, history or psychology course: flash cards are your friend. making them in itself is a non-demanding form of studying, and then memorizing them is a convenient way to make use of any gaps of time you have in your schedule without the need of a study partner. I swear by this method!
-if you are taking any labs: write your lab reports as soon as you can after lab is over. the experiment is far fresher in your mind and you don't have to call a dozen of your friends to recall what you did in lab the night before the report is due. This could save a ton of time. Also, I noticed that when lab got out early I seldom used the newly-gained time productively. So why not spend that time, staying in the lab so you can write your report? It's ideal--the teacher is still right there!

and finally:

-DO get at least 4 hours of sleep the night before your exam. In my 4 years in college I rarely saw all-nighters serve the benefit of me or any of my classmates. They are an act of desperation that look like a good idea in theory but will not help you much. the amount you could learn between the hours of 4am-8am will be cancelled out by your inaccuracy due to lost sleep. in light of that fact, wouldn't you rather sleep?

hope this helped. best wishes for your new semester!

I would recommend most of the stuff listed here.

 

[Omni]

Do as best as you can on the exams you get during the semester. This gives you padding to do "a little bad" on the finals, when it is very hectic.

 

[Oxygen206]

treat it like a job

+1

Also, the quarter I decided to stop using textbooks was the same quarter I started getting all A's. Went from average 3.1 GPA per quarter to 4.0... Coincidence? Maybe....

I've noticed that I've been able to dedicate more time to learning the material than trying to decipher a textbook that usually has way more information than is covered in lecture and required of you (unless you have a psycho prof that tests on materials not covered in lecture....in that case you're effed either way 🙄).

 

[anonymousername]

My questions are:
1. How you managed your time?
2. How much time did you spend each week? (Assuming you studied on weekends)
3. And any general and specific tips you can provide. (Especially for sciences courses and labs.)

Thank you all in advance.

1) Taylor it to spend the least amount on unimportant work that will yield little points and the most on high point classes that you need to put the most work and understanding into.
2. Until I understood the material for each class. Some took 1 hour, others took a good 4 or 5.
3. If you don't understand something, it's easy to get discouraged and give up. Don't.

for labs, read up before hand about what's supposed to happen. What you're doing in lab is not new and innovative stuff and is definitely on the internet. For science courses, ask your professors (not your peers) about specific questions.

I dunno, you should know what you're weak on. Best of luck.

 

[CyclistOK]

Wow I can't believe people spend that much time studying. I've got somewhere around 130hrs done at this point and gotten one B (missed the final but had a 99 going in).

1. I never make a cohesive written out schedule, ever. I go to class ALWAYS, and just remember when things are due.

2. On average I don't study when it's not the night before the test. This semester I studied for 2hrs the night before tests by just reading over the notes posted online, I usually wake up about 1.5hrs before the test, get to class and read over the notes again until the test starts. Then again I only had 2 lecture courses this semester, and a few labs.

3. Tips: Don't stress out so much and figure out the teacher for each of the classes based on how they present their material. I.e. do they go into a lot of detail, about each molecule of an enzyme (nit-picky detail oriented memorization type teacher) or do they make slides with a big concept across the top and continuously refer to how X is an example of Y (concept based, understanding oriented teacher).

 

[avksx]

+1

Also, the quarter I decided to stop using textbooks was the same quarter I started getting all A's. Went from average 3.1 GPA per quarter to 4.0... Coincidence? Maybe....

I've noticed that I've been able to dedicate more time to learning the material than trying to decipher a textbook that usually has way more information than is covered in lecture and required of you (unless you have a psycho prof that tests on materials not covered in lecture....in that case you're effed either way 🙄).

I had a psychology prof who always included questions regarding some obscure one-liner statistic in a 30 page wall-of-text chapter.


Q: What percentage of many men under forty report chronic erectile dysfunction?

A: Hell if I know.

 

[cbear]

My tips....3.9 gpa and a 4.0 for the last 6 semesters...

Never ever ever ever miss a class. Even if the classes seem useless, show up and sit towards the front so you pay attention. take notes on everything, and afterwards recopy the notes neatly so you know what the hell you wrote down.

Concentrate on understanding the material, not being ready for test questions. Every class I try to know the material well enough that if I was asked to teach or give a speech on the unit we just finished, i would be able to. Every class is a story, with everything flowing together. Be able to tell the story.

Hand everything in and on time, no matter what, and follow all directions! No dumb mistakes or missed points.

Relax, excercise, scream your head off at sports games and spend time with your SO. A little release is good, just don't go out and party all the time during the week and every weekend nght and expect to do well. Some people can, but most can't. Still, keep some balance and have a good time.

Be passionate about whatever you are learning.

good luck!

 

[Oxygen206]

I had a psychology prof who always included questions regarding some obscure one-liner statistic in a 30 page wall-of-text chapter.


Q: What percentage of many men under forty report chronic erectile dysfunction?

A: Hell if I know.

Oh no! That sucks!

I've heard too many horror stories like this, so I made it a point (starting just this quarter actually) to ask my profs in advance if they only test over material covered in lecture and the common answer was, "wait, students actually read their textbooks?"

 

[IDoIt4Love]

ratemyprofessor is ownage.

It is. Look here for information on the possible demands of a class you're thinking of taking. This is an especially good idea if you aren't comfortable e-mailing a professor prior to the semester, honestly asking what the workload/demand of the class may be like, because you have a heavy semester ahead of you and don't want to get in over your head.

 

[chman]

It is. Look here for information on the possible demands of a class you're thinking of taking. This is an especially good idea if you aren't comfortable e-mailing a professor prior to the semester, honestly asking what the workload/demand of the class may be like, because you have a heavy semester ahead of you and don't want to get in over your head.

I always take what I see on that sight with a grain of salt. Especially if there are not too many reviews. I have had a couple specific occasions when I looked a professor I liked up and said professor had bad reviews. I have also seen reviews that I would deem correct as well though.

 

[FloatOn]

I always take what I see on that sight with a grain of salt. Especially if there are not too many reviews. I have had a couple specific occasions when I looked a professor I liked up and said professor had bad reviews. I have also seen reviews that I would deem correct as well though.

Yeah, I've read some reviews of professors that I previously had who I thought were pretty good (gave fair exams, were interesting during lecture, helpful outside of class, etc.) and A LOT of people complained about how confusing they were, the tests are impossible, whatever junk came out of their ass. This was also more common among my non-science classes. I think the best thing to do is to ask your friends about good professors they've had or classmates that are academically on the same level as you.

 

[IDoIt4Love]

Yeah, I've read some reviews of professors that I previously had who I thought were pretty good (gave fair exams, were interesting during lecture, helpful outside of class, etc.) and A LOT of people complained about how confusing they were, the tests are impossible, whatever junk came out of their ass. This was also more common among my non-science classes. I think the best thing to do is to ask your friends about good professors they've had or classmates that are academically on the same level as you.

hehe, see that's part of why it's such a reliable source: all the complainers and picky people sound off on the profs, so if they like the prof, you can rest assured that this guy/woman must be good.

and yeah, we should all keep in mind that most often, only people with strong opinions post reviews on their professors there. i personally try to make a habit of reviewing all my profs after i get my final grades though, whether i felt strongly about them or not.

 

[chman]

hehe, see that's part of why it's such a reliable source: all the complainers and picky people sound off on the profs, so if they like the prof, you can rest assured that this guy/woman must be good.

and yeah, we should all keep in mind that most often, only people with strong opinions post reviews on their professors there. i personally try to make a habit of reviewing all my profs after i get my final grades though, whether i felt strongly about them or not.

But that is precisely why it is not reliable. All the whiners who feel that they got screwed out of their C average complain, where as students like us are less likely to review.

 

[Seraph 84]

Largely depends on the class.

Some physics classes I took I had to spend less than 3 hours per week because of my experience and skill. The ones I take now are at a whole different level of reality and I cannot guarantee myself A's.

You must realize there are some classes you just cannot get A's in because 1) the classes are just that hard and you aren't as smart as you think you are (see engineering physics/real analysis/p-chem), 2) the professor/instructor sucks donkey balls at teaching.

In general, going to the lectures and paying attention are the two biggest factors - don't just sit there and doodle some notes on your paper. Also reading the subject you study - I actually like to read most textbooks. Try to know the material intimately and not at some superficial level; you'd be surprised how much you can actually learn if you have no distractions (computer, phone, friends).

Anyways, 4.0s aren't that important to me; I don't label people based on gpas.

 

[MedSearchRescue]

Largely depends on the class.

Some physics classes I took I had to spend less than 3 hours per week because of my experience and skill. The ones I take now are at a whole different level of reality and I cannot guarantee myself A's.

You must realize there are some classes you just cannot get A's in because 1) the classes are just that hard and you aren't as smart as you think you are (see engineering physics/real analysis/p-chem), 2) the professor/instructor sucks donkey balls at teaching.

In general, going to the lectures and paying attention are the two biggest factors - don't just sit there and doodle some notes on your paper. Also reading the subject you study - I actually like to read most textbooks. Try to know the material intimately and not at some superficial level; you'd be surprised how much you can actually learn if you have no distractions (computer, phone, friends).

Anyways, 4.0s aren't that important to me; I don't label people based on gpas.

Hey!! P-Chem is not all that bad.....

Anyway, this person is right, sometimes you just can't get an A. However, I disagree in that the prof sucking means you can't get an A. Learning is the student's responsibility and he/she needs to own it.

Bottom Line: Know the material.....whatever it takes.
For some, that's 2hrs a week for 17 credits of science classes and others 40hrs for 12 credits of humanities classes.

 

[vin5cent0]

Just stay on top of your crap and you'll do fine. Seriously, most people are capable of pulling off 4.0s (or close to it, some classes some people just can't get A's). It usually comes down to how vigilant people are about keeping up on their studies.

If you really put in a good hour or two each night you had that class to review and read/study, you'd more than likely get an A in most classes. For me, I wind up not doing crap for two weeks and then cramming at the end. It becomes even worse because I find I only start working hard the last few weeks of the semester and wind up getting a B. This year I actually put in the time for each class, and all A's (to be fair, a W as well since I dropped chem).

 

[Evergrey]

Wanted to add... Watch the strongest students in your class. I've noticed students can largely be grouped into 3 crowds:
The Efficient A students--"minimal" studying, catch what profs are emphasizing in classes & can pretty much tell you whats on the test before taking it; minimalistic notetaking (write whats written on board & then listen and take key pts, etc. only)

The Diligent B students--amazingly hard workers, often memorize everything but struggle for their As; diligent and knowledgeable but sometimes work too hard

The Cs Get Degrees crowd--this is basically the grab bag group of people who don't care, have given up, just want to graduate, etc.

The first group is, of course, ideal. It requires getting to understand what your prof sees as important as well as his/her tells. Of course, there really is a spectru & few are in just 1 category.

I agree, with a few additions. First, I would say that to be an A student you shouldn't take "minimalistic notes" (if minimalistic means minimizing how much you write) but as you said place more of an emphasis on the key points. I think the big thing, that a lot of people don't realize, is that a good student will be organizing thoughts in their head and then translating what the professor says into something that makes sense (because there are too many professors that can't give a lecture that progresses logically).

To me that's what being efficient means. You aren't just sitting in the lecture passively; instead you are mentally attacking the professor's ideas, grappling with them and trying to fit them into the greater scheme of things. I can't count how many times I borrowed notes from someone after I missed class and the notes were disorganized gibberish (or, just as bad, a verbatim transcription of the professor's words). If you're not going to pay attention, process what's being said, and then take notes on the relevant discussion -- why show up to class?