Study Smarter, Not Harder

14 Pointers for a Higher GPA


Center for Academic Program Support


  1. Sleep and eat.
  2. Attend every class – if you must miss one, get the notes from another student or see your professor or TA.
  3. Be 5 minutes early for class. Get the seat you want, read notes, have pencil and paper.
  4. Select thoughtfully where you will sit in class.
  5. Read textbook assignments before class, rather than after.
  6. Read notes from previous lecture before each class (5 minutes early).
  7. Read through your notes after each lecture within 2 hours if possible. For sure the same day.
  8. Stay until the end of class even if instructor runs overtime. Often you can catch the professor or TA right after class.
  9. See your professor or TA as soon as you have a question. (Office hours)
  10. Ask questions in class.
  11. Study your old exams. What did you miss?
    1. Was it from a lecture?
    2. Was it from the text?
    3. Was it a careless error?
    4. Was it material you forgot or never heard before?
  12. Learn about your library.
  13. Study Skills Tutoring
    1. memorization
    2. note taking
    3. test taking
    4. time management
  14. Content-area tutoring.