Why Bad Grades Happen to Smart People

1. Why Bad Grades Happen to Smart People The University Learning Center Florida International University Developed by Sam McCool

2. Introduction • Have you worked hard all term and earned a grade that was lower than you expected? Have you felt like giving up half-way through the term? Do you feel as if the teacher isn’t really “teaching”? If so, you’re experiencing what most students, even the brightest, experience when they enter college. • How, then, can you, a smart person, get good grades in college?

3. Attend Class • Here’s something you should know: Those students who go to class, every class—that’s perfect attendance—have a significantly higher chance of passing than those students who MISS JUST ONE CLASS.

4. Sit Near the Teacher • Those students who sit closest to the teacher get the highest grades. In fact, you can almost predict the grade a student will receive by what row he or she sits in: First row—A’s; Second row—B’s; third row—C’s, etc. • Related studies have also shown that working with other students as well provides the kind of ENGAGEMENT that promotes learning. For instance, at Harvard University in the late 80’s a study of undergraduates’ study habits showed that students who studied together for tests earned higher grades, on average, than students who studied alone.

5. Take Notes • What notes have you taken so far? You should have noted the following: • 1. ATTEND CLASS. • 2. SIT NEAR THE TEACHER. • 3. TAKE NOTES. • If you’ve tried to write down everything I’ve said, you’re going about it all wrong. Here are two simple rules: • First, write down what the teacher writes on the board unless the information is already available on a handout or the syllabus. • Second, listen carefully before taking notes to summarize rather than copy verbatim what is said.

6. Follow Directions • This may sound simple, but following directions is the hardest thing for most people to do. Especially smart people. • Why do we have enough time to do something over but never enough time to do it right the first time?

7. Speak Up • If you don’t understand the directions, what should you do? SPEAK UP. Don’t be embarrassed. The rest of the class is probably as confused as you—but is afraid to ask. • What’s worse: an F on an exam or a little embarrassment?

8. Use Resources • What are your resources? • The teacher, • classmates, • textbooks, • notebooks, pens, pencils—all of these are resources.

9. Six Ways to Succeed in College • Attend Class • Sit Near the Teacher • Take Notes • Follow Directions • Speak Up • Use Resources