Getting straight A’s in P & O courses may not really be easy as one think. Based on my personal experiences and research, I’ve been able to come up with 10 ways to help you make straight A’s in P&O courses. I hope you find it helpful.
- Make a good first impression: If you’re attending classes on core P&O courses it is advisable to make a good first impression. If the lecturer sees you for the first time and classifies you as an unserious student probably because you failed to pay attention or turned up late for lecture. The impression may linger on the lecturer’s mind and you’ll always be seen as an unserious student.
- Dress well: It is often said, you will be addressed, the way you dress. Putting on sleeveless tops and clothes that exposes some part of your body might make some lecturers tag you as being unserious. It is expected that a health student should dress to attract respect from Others. When you dress appropriately, you attract respect and create a good reputation for yourself.
- Attend classes regularly: Learn how not to bunk classes. It is quite easy for lecturers to notice serious student facially in a core P&O class. Because the students are quit few compared to classes during non-P&O courses. Attending classes and participating actively by asking questions or answering questions is advised.
- Learn to take note: Most lectures will always set examination questions based on what they taught in the class. Pay attention to the lectures and write down important points. Sometimes, examination questions are set from class works or assignment given by the lecturer during lecture. Note these assignments and try to work on it even though the teacher may not mark it later on.
- Know your lecturer: Permit me to say that this is the most important. Try to know your lecturer. Learn the lecturers grading system if possible. Attending class can help you to know how best to answer questions during an examination based on hints and tips gotten during the class. Some lecturers may also conduct revision classes and give an area of concentration for the examination. Know the keywords the lecturer expects to get in you answer booklet. Also try to find out if the lecturer prefer you, using the exact key words, which he/she used in the class or if the lecturer prefers you coining answers based on your own understanding.
- Seek help from students in upper level: Try as much as possible to make friends with those ahead of you. Ask them about their experiences, their challenges and how they were able to cope. Get to know those with the kind of grades you wish to have and ask them for tips on how to get such grades. Also ask about the nature of the question for each course. (obj, sub, theory) etc.
- Read ahead: Get the syllabus or run down of all you need to learn in each course. (most lecturers will always write this down, on the first lecture day) try to read ahead. When you do, the course will not sound all new to you. You will also be able to participate actively in class by asking and answering questions. You can also read lecture notes given by the lecturer to the previous sect, or even handwritten notes by students in upper level.
- Study past examination questions: There’s a high probability that past questions will be repeated. Therefore, studying and answering past questions is a good way to prepare for examinations. It also gives you an idea about the pattern or form the questions will assume. Either objectives, subjective or theory. This will help you to prepare better (though, some lecturers may change the pattern)
- Don’t brag about you grades: If you worked so hard and was rewarded with good grades, don’t brag about your good grades. This could stir up anger and jealousy and you’ll end up creating more problems for yourself. There are lots of actions that can be carried out by your fellow students against you. If such act isn’t noticed by a supervisor, you might end up having a missing script.
- Don’t cheat or copy someone else’s work: When writing an examination for a core P&O course, you must bear in mind that the number of students writing such an examination is quit few compared to non-P&O courses. there is therefore, a high probability that the lecturer knows you and to an extent knows the academic performance and ability of most students. you could get caught and rusticated. Also, the fear of being caught will also limit your ability to remember the things you studied. The thought of cheating can make you get lazy and procrastinate.
In all you do, always remember: A life of probity is worth living!
