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. It’s 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. I’ll never good grades. I’m 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 standard—points, rubrics, expectations—from the syllabus– 3 levels• Basic=B Expectations are met• Substandard=C, D, or E Expectations not met• Excellent=A Exceeds expectations

• Rank against other students—”grading 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?Tips—Use balance*not all hard, not all easy

Take responsibility and control of your program. Select, don’t 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?

1ST 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 else’s notes.• Study the reading to see how the notes fit.• Go see the professor to clarify notes but don’t

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 don’t

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, don’t redo.• Be active, don’t 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:• Don’t 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.• Don’t 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 don’t understand the

grading procedure.

WISDOM COMES ONLY THROUGH SUFFERING…….Greek poet Sophocles

PART 4 THE PAPER

• Understand the assignment• Understand the assignment• 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 don’t 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:

• Don’t be afraid.• Explore your topic jointly.• Don’t 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.• You’re 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 don’t let down too early.

• Produce an excellent final exam. Give the grader a chance to give you an A.

• Keep up your stamina, don’t 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