HOW TO GET GOOD GRADES IN ALL COURSES WITHOUT SORTING

If you’ve always wondered if it is possible to get good grades in all courses without sorting, then the answer is yes. I hope you’ll find these ten tips below of much benefit:

1. Figure out the Grading policy: A great way to know the grading policy of any course is to know the course coordinator of that course. You can ask students in upper level to know which lecturer is the coordinator for a particular course. Pay attention to what the lecturer says about grading during classes. Get hints and tips about the grading policies for each course. Checking out past questions can also give you a clue about the allocation of marks in different sections based on the course and the lecturers involved.
2. Don’t skip classes/practical sessions: It is recommended that you should not skip classes or practical sessions. It is true that you can always read up materials or lecture notes written by others. But then, being present in the class gives you an insight about the lecturer and what She/he might be expecting from you during the examination. Some examination questions are also extracted from practical manuals. Participating in practical sessions will help you to remember details required so you can answer questions accurately.
3. Avoid distractors in the classroom: If possible, I will advise you not to sit with your friends in the class. Especially if the person is a source of distraction to you. You can also avoid distractions by sitting in the front row. Sitting close to the lecturer helps to avoid distractions and improves your sense of concentration. Added benefits is that, you’ll get to hear clearly and be able to jot down salient points.
4. Be in good terms with your Course Representative: If you’re not the course representative, it is advisable to be in good terms with whoever is representing you. When you get along with him/her, you’ll scarcely miss out on vital information such as sudden change in lecture venue, impromptu tests etc. Be sure to have lots of friends in your department for easy dissemination of information.
5. Take good care of yourself: In your quest to make good grades, don’t forget to take good care of yourself. Being sick during an examination is not a funny experience. Try as much as possible to eat good food. A healthy/balanced meal is needed to boost your immune system and keep you healthy and strong. Another factor to be put into consideration is sleep time. Try to sleep at least 6-8 hours daily if possible.
6. Get Organized: This is a hack for good grades. If you’re not organized, you’ll achieve less. Getting organized means prioritizing your courses. Take note of courses you’re good at and courses you know little or nothing about. Make a timetable for your study, allocate more time to the difficult courses and less time to the easy ones. Also, try starting the difficult ones first. Doing the easy ones last gives you a sense of accomplishment and leaves you refreshed. Getting organized also involves knowing assignments that are due and getting them done rather than spending the whole day trying to solve assignments that are meant to be submitted in a week time. Try not to overload yourself, make room for social media and leisure in your time table. That way, it will be feasible and achievable.
7. Teach someone else: There are two ways to do this. You can actually teach your level mates some concepts you have studied and seem to have a clearer understanding. Questions might be asked and you’ll brainstorm together to get a deeper understanding of the topic being discussed. The other method works for some people, this entails using your power of imagination. You just imagine that you’re a lecturer with students right in front of you. You can create a virtual classroom in your mind and start teaching. Sounds funny, but it works for some people and its fun too. Whichever one works for you, just know that teaching others what you know helps you to remember them more. It will be easier to remember what you’ve studied and easier to write them down in your examination booklet.
8. Use mnemonics: This is one formula that has helped a lot of Nigerian students. in situations where you have lots of things to read on different courses, creating mnemonics will help you to remember the important keywords you need. You can create mnemonics using whatever will be easier for you to remember. You can as well turn an outline of your note into your favorite song. You’ll surely remember it because it is associated with something familiar.
9. Make your writing legible: One thing you should understand is that your scripts are marked by human beings. Keeping your handwriting neat and legible will give you an edge. The lecturer will be able to read through your answers without much difficulties. If your handwriting on the other hand is so bad, it could stir up negative feelings such as frustration. Some lecturers may not be able to decipher the point you’re trying to make and may end up marking your scripts based on what they can read in your booklet.
10. Get a tutor: If you have difficulties on a particular course and probably don’t seem to understand what the lecturer is teaching, don’t be shy to ask for help. Get a tutor for yourself. It could be a classmate who is good at that particular course or a student ahead of you, who is willing to teach you. You can also leverage on social media channels to acquire more knowledge on the topic.

In all you do, stay true to yourself because: A life of probity is worth living!