PROFESSORS GUIDE TO GETTING GOOD GRADES IN COLLEGE Lynn F, Jacobs, Ph.D., And Jeremy S. Hyman, M.A.

grade-bearing moments 1=The start 2=The class 3=The exam 4=The paper 5=The last month

PART 1 THE START DISPEL COMMON MYTHS LEARN HOW PROFESSORS GRADE PICK COURSES WITH AN EYE TO GRADES

10 Common Myths About College 1.Its bad to be a grade grubber. 2.Why get good grades? All I need is a diploma. 3.College is going to be a piece of cake. 4.E is for effort. More effort=a better grade. 5.A is for attendance. 6.If I only kiss up enough….. 7.Grades are 100% subjective. 8.Ill never good grades. Im not a good student. 9.The professor could care less what grade I get. 10.The professor will tell me all I need to know to get an A.

HOW DO PROFESSORS GRADE ANYWAY? Graded against a standardpoints, rubrics, expectationsfrom the syllabus – 3 levels Basic=B Expectations are met Substandard=C, D, or E Expectations not met Excellent=A Exceeds expectations Rank against other studentsgrading on the curve Who does the grading?

PICKING COURSES WITH AN EYE TO GRADES Questions to consider Easier or more challenging? Easier or killer-grader professor? Interesting courses or only fill requirements? TipsUse balance*not all hard, not all easy Take responsibility and control of your program. Select, dont settle. Register early enough to have choices.

PART 2 THE CLASS Your action plan for the first week of class Tips for taking notes Why prepare? Why attend? Why participate?

1 ST WEEK ACTION PLAN Be there –and be on. This is no time to be on vacation. Decode the syllabus and size up the professor. Decide whether to continue the class or find another.

Lecture notes tips Create a document you can use later Plan to take notes the entire class Capture the overall structure of the lecture Use outlines Make use of verbal and behavior clues Explain board writing and PowerPoint slides Look out for definitions and technical terms Set off examples in your notes Use the note-taking format that works for you Take notes for yourself and for keeps

WHY PREPARE? Preparation is the major part of the learning experience.

WHY ATTEND? You can only take notes if you are there. What to do when you miss class: Borrow someone elses notes. Study the reading to see how the notes fit. Go see the professor to clarify notes but dont ask if you missed anything important. Resolve not to miss class again.

WHY PARTICIPATE(in SI sections or study groups)? Go to SI meetings and ask questions. Discuss information with other students. Engage a tutor to explain things you dont understand. Talk to professors outside of class. Make yourself known as a student who is engaged in the material.

PART 3 THE EXAM Spread it out. Start studying about a week before the test. Triage your time. Sort and allocate time based on the grade you are getting. What exactly is going to be on the test? Find some test examples. Gather everything together before you study. Review, dont redo. Be active, dont be a voyeur. Study the main points. Complete the task that is asked for. Make sure your test preparation advances your learning. Make up your own test and take it.

ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD TESTS DURING THE EXAM: Dont be overwhelmed by first impressions. Determine what the question is really asking. Make an initial plan of action and time management. Craft your essay nicely. Make it as easy for the grader as you possibly can. Dont panic toward the end.

GOING OVER YOUR TEST Going over tests will improve your skills. Be calm, collected and dispassionate. See the professor if you dont understand the grading procedure. WISDOM COMES ONLY THROUGH SUFFERING …….Greek poet Sophocles

PART 4 THE PAPER Understand the assignment Have someone in the writing center go over your final draft.

ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH Think through the paper in your head. Find relevant information. Use electronic databases for research. The library can help you if you dont know how. Do not plagiarize. Cutting and pasting are not okay. Record your references in the expected style--MLA or APA. Writing only improves with practice.

Going to see the professor about a paper: Dont be afraid. Explore your topic jointly. Dont be combative, conceited, or overly honest. Incorporate the results of the meeting into your own thinking.

PART 5 THE LAST MONTH HAZARDS: Out of gas; fill up your momentum stores. You have too many balls in the air. Put some down or learn to juggle. Youre not getting the grade you want so take it to the next level. Find out what you can make up. You stand a real chance of failing so fish or cut bait. Make a plan.

ACING THE FINAL Improve your study techniques. Start studying the last week of class. Manage your life during finals week. Be realistic and dont let down too early. Produce an excellent final exam. Give the grader a chance to give you an A. Keep up your stamina, dont panic too soon, and as soon as the exam is over, put it to bed!

WHAT DO GRADES MEAN ANYWAY? What are your answers?

YOU CAN DO IT! NOW YOU KNOW HOW