Improve Your GPA Grade-Point Average A 12-Step Recovery Program for Poor Grades A 12-Step Recovery Program for Poor Grades Counseling Services Pellissippi State Technical Community College

12 Steps to Recovery Choose Education with a Purpose Be Classroom Wise Make Smart Work/ School Trade-Offs Keep Track of Your Grades Identify the Causes of Poor Grades Take Difficult Courses Individually Take Responsibility For Your Grades Know Your Learning Style Calculate Your Grade- Point Average Manage Your Time Wisely Prepare Thoroughly Visualize Success Choose Education with a Purpose Be Classroom Wise Make Smart Work/ School Trade-Offs Keep Track of Your Grades Identify the Causes of Poor Grades

Choose Education With a Purpose Why are you in college? To get career preparation To get a “good” job that pays “good” money To avoid working full-time (right now) To learn a particular skill To become a more cultured person To gain a general education and appreciation of ideas To improve reading and study skills Why are you in college? To get career preparation To get a “good” job that pays “good” money To avoid working full-time (right now) To learn a particular skill To become a more cultured person To gain a general education and appreciation of ideas To improve reading and study skills

Classroom Observations Attend class every day. Do not plan a vacation during the semester. Save “sick days” for real emergencies. If you have excessive absences, consider withdrawing from the class. If you must miss class, contact the instructor ASAP to find out what was missed and the deadline for making up work. Attend class every day. Do not plan a vacation during the semester. Save “sick days” for real emergencies. If you have excessive absences, consider withdrawing from the class. If you must miss class, contact the instructor ASAP to find out what was missed and the deadline for making up work.

How might this student plan differently for the next semester? Make Smart Trade Offs How might this student plan differently for the next semester?

Typical scenario: Student “A” wants to “get to UT as soon as possible” but must work to make tuition, gas and car payments. The student signs up for 15 credits (5 classes) and works 20 hours per week. Student passes 3 classes, gets a “W” in one class and an “F” in the other. Student “A” wants to “get to UT as soon as possible” but must work to make tuition, gas and car payments. The student signs up for 15 credits (5 classes) and works 20 hours per week. Student passes 3 classes, gets a “W” in one class and an “F” in the other.

Keep Track of Your Grades Review your class syllabus for the grade calculation formula for each class. Ask about your grades – before the withdrawal deadline. If you are doing poorly, talk with your instructor about what effort is required to pass the class. If it appears that you cannot make up the work to achieve a passing grade, drop the class. Review your class syllabus for the grade calculation formula for each class. Ask about your grades – before the withdrawal deadline. If you are doing poorly, talk with your instructor about what effort is required to pass the class. If it appears that you cannot make up the work to achieve a passing grade, drop the class.

Identify the Causes of Poor Grades What are the causes of your poor grades? Attendance Academic skill background Preparation and study Notetaking Classroom participation Motivation Tutoring Personal or family illness or emergency What are the causes of your poor grades? Attendance Academic skill background Preparation and study Notetaking Classroom participation Motivation Tutoring Personal or family illness or emergency

Choose a Different Approach for A Difficult Course If a particular subject gives you trouble, consider these options: Take it as an only class. Take it in a different format. Speak with an instructor or counselor about how to study for this course. Attend stress management, test-taking workshops. Hand choose the instructor whose class you will take. If a particular subject gives you trouble, consider these options: Take it as an only class. Take it in a different format. Speak with an instructor or counselor about how to study for this course. Attend stress management, test-taking workshops. Hand choose the instructor whose class you will take.

Take Responsibility for Your Grades Stop making excuses. Repeat classes in which you earned a “D” or “F”. Be prepared to make compromises. Choose wisely. Your choices will either have positive or negative consequences. You often control the outcome. Stop making excuses. Repeat classes in which you earned a “D” or “F”. Be prepared to make compromises. Choose wisely. Your choices will either have positive or negative consequences.

Know Your Learning Style Explore how you learn by taking a learning style assessment. Maximize your learning style (audio people recite, hands on people write, visual people draw). When necessary, use all of the learning modes. Talk to your instructor about his/her style of teaching and the strategies you can use to adapt to this style of learning. Explore how you learn by taking a learning style assessment. Maximize your learning style (audio people recite, hands on people write, visual people draw). When necessary, use all of the learning modes. Talk to your instructor about his/her style of teaching and the strategies you can use to adapt to this style of learning.

Calculate Your Grade-Point Average Courses Attempted Credit Hours Grade Grade Point Equivalent Total Quality Points ENGL 1010 3 B X 3.0 = 9.0 SPH 2100 A 4.0 12.0 BIOL 1110 4 C 2.0 8.0 PHED1010 1 F HIST 1010 D 1.0 Total Hours 14 32.0 Quality Points (32.0) divided by Attempted Credit Hours (14) equal Grade Point Average (2.286)

Manage Your Time Wisely Base hours per week 168 Sleep -56 Meals -20 Classes (15/hr) -15 Study (2/hr rule) -30 Personal maintenance - 7 Balance +40 Base hours per week 168 Sleep -56 Meals -20 Classes (15/hr) -15 Study (2/hr rule) -30 Personal maintenance - 7 Balance +40

Prepare Thoroughly Start studying for 10-15 minutes at a time and then build up to longer periods of time. Take adequate breaks DO NOT CRAM! Eliminate distractions. Sit near the front of the classroom. Ask questions. Keep up with assignments Start studying for 10-15 minutes at a time and then build up to longer periods of time. Take adequate breaks DO NOT CRAM! Eliminate distractions. Sit near the front of the classroom. Ask questions. Keep up with assignments

Visualize Success Remember, what you decide to do Keep sight of your goals – expect to achieve them. Do your best, then let go. Combat negatives thought with positive self-talk. Take care of yourself (eat well, get necessary rest, exercise, etc.). Remember, what you decide to do today affects your long-term goals. Keep sight of your goals – expect to achieve them. Do your best, then let go. Combat negatives thought with positive self-talk. Take care of yourself (eat well, get necessary rest, exercise, etc.). Remember, what you decide to do today affects your long-term goals.