One of the most important things you have to do to in order to improve your grades in college is to GO TO CLASS! Your attendance in college can make or break you. Don’t think your teachers aren’t going to notice that you are not there . . . they are! And take it from me, if you are missing a lot of classes, they are going to take it personally! The best way to get on an instructor’s bad side is to be a chronic-class- skipper. To help you avoid missing classes, I’ve created the following list to help you focus on getting there. Good luck!
1. Take control of your schedule!
As a new student, it is really important for you to know what classes you are required to take as part of your major. Every college provides students with a catalog that describes Major requirements. Use the catalog to schedule the classes you are interested in . . . as much as you can. If you’re interested in the classes you schedule then there is no doubt you’ll be motivated to get there. Be the person to create your schedule! If you let someone like your advisor, roommate, or parents create your schedule for you, then chances are you are not going to be too engaged.
2. Find the fun classes!
We all know that classes can sometimes be boring. From my experience the blame for this generally falls on the teacher. Teachers can really influence whether or not a class is going to be fun or boring. It is in your best interest to find teachers that are not boring. This is easy to do. Just ask around campus. Talk to your advisor. Or talk with your friends. You can you usually find out good information about specific teachers at places like ratemyprofessors.com.
3. Create Goals Each Semester!
Before the semester begins it is important to look at your schedule and establish some specific goals. Make it your goal to have perfect attendance. Make it your goal to have a good time management schedule. Make it your goal not to go out on week nights. Make it your goal to get to class early. Having goals will help guide you . . . and help keep you accountable for your actions.
4. Stick to your Goals!
You are at college for a reason. If you are taking classes, it’s probably because you have a goal to graduate. You have to pass your classes to graduate . . . and you can’t do that unless you are there. Go to class so you can achieve the goals you have set for yourself.
5. Hang out with people who take it seriously!
Our friends can have a big influence over our lives. If they want to skip class and shoot hoops, then there’s a good chance we will too. If you are spending a major amount of time and energy resisting the temptation from your friend to skip class, then it might be time to reconsider who’s in your inner circle.