How to Boost a GPA for Senior Year

Find what study habits work for you.

For many students, their senior year is the last chance to raise their GPA. Study and sleep habits are vital to maintaining and improving grades. Avoiding bad habits is just as important as embracing good habits. Senior year is never too late to improve your study habits, and ultimately, your grades.

Things You'll Need

• Class notes
• Study place
• Textbook

Instructions

Instructions

1. Study your notes. Repetition helps you absorb material. According to the University of Cincinnati, studying your notes everyday after class helps retain knowledge. Find a time of day in which you are most productive, preferably in the daytime. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology website, 60 minutes of daytime studying is equivalent to 90 minutes of nighttime studying.

2. Get sleep. Kimberly Fenn, assistant professor of psychology at Michigan State University, says that sleep reduces memory mistakes, and helps memory retention. According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, three distinct memory functions: acquisition, consolidation and recall are all negatively affected by poor sleep habits. Good sleep equals greater memory retention, which equals better test results.

3. Stay focused. Distractions are common in senior year when graduation is around the corner. Avoid study places that interfere with your work. Go to libraries for a quiet space or to coffee shops if you need low-level noise in the background. Carlos P. Zalaquett, Ph.D., at University of South Florida, says even books from another class can distract you. Focus on one subject at a time.

4. Communicate with teachers. Ask them what you need to improve in your senior year. Finding and fixing problems is important to raising your grade. Clarify what needs improvement and how you can improve these issues. Many teachers are willing to help you further your academic career and improve your marks.

5. Attend class. Learning the information twice, in-class and while studying, helps retain knowledge. Teachers cover material in class that isn't always featured in textbooks, and tests will often have material from both lectures and the textbook. By attending class and reading the text, you cover most, if not all, testable material.

References

• University of Cincinnati: Study Skills FAQ
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Where and When to Study
• Michigan State University; Sleep Helps Reduce Errors; Sept 2009
• Division of Sleep Medicine: Harvard Medical School; Sleep and Memory; Dec 2008
• University of South Florida; Study Skills; Carlos P. Zalaquett, Ph.D
• Mount Saint Mary College; Tips For Avoiding Senioritis; Jan 2011