Independent Student Newspaper of UW Oshkosh Campuses

The Advance-Titan

Independent Student Newspaper of UW Oshkosh Campuses

The Advance-Titan

Independent Student Newspaper of UW Oshkosh Campuses

The Advance-Titan

Students can raise grades before year’s end

With only seven weeks left in the semester, some students may be looking at their grades with a skeptical eye. The task of raising them with only half a semester left seems daunting. However, it is possible for students to raise their grades before it’s too late.

One of the most important things they can do is get organized. Whether a student is a commuter or a resident of the dorms, it is essential to make their school materials easy to find and access. This simple step can greatly increase a student’s productivity. Time spent rummaging through belongings can be used for something more important.

Teenshealth.org suggests setting up a file drawer for papers or old assingments. This can save time when relocating old information that is once again relevant.

After organization is successfully achieved on papers and books, it is important to organize notes.

In an article called “Work Smart,” author Kevin Purdy details how to take better notes.

“Messy notebooks with monotone text makes it hard to recall the key points,” Purdy said. “Switching up the ink used throughout the notes can break up their repetitive nature.”

For under five dollars, Walmart, Target and University Books and More sell colorful pens, markers and highlighters. Write each sub topic in a different color to increase the ability to remember what the key points were. Then during an exam, it may be easier to recall what the professor presented by remembering the color of the notes.

Increasing organizational skills is not the only method to success. Visiting professors during their office hours is a simple way to receive clarification on missed concepts. A variety of information can be obtained through a quick visit. Clarification on reading, a summary of lecture points or a brief overview on topic ideas are all things that instructors can help with. Meeting with the professor regularly can also build a relationship that can be useful in the future.

Professors can offer sound advice for raising grades as well.

“The best way for a student to possibly raise their grade is to figure out what grades they need on remaining assignments and to make a plan for how to earn those grades,” UWO math professor Kenneth Price said.

Professors often update grades on D2L, and most are willing to reveal a student’s current grade in the class. A strong relationship established with the professor can make knowing and obtaining grades significantly easier.

If students are still having trouble understanding concepts and raising grades, a tutor may be able to help. The Center for Academic Resources is located in the Student Success Center, and students can request a tutor for more than 200 subjects.

The student and tutor can determine an ideal time to meet and schedule appointments. The tutor can review any class material and offer tips for exams. Every undergraduate student at UWO receives five free hours of tutoring, which can save students thousands of dollars in tuition by increasing passing rates.

While the end of the semester is approaching, it is important to stay on top of academic success. Whether it is a unique study strategy, organization or meeting with a professor, these simple steps can make it easy to raise grades quickly.

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