How to Get a GOOD GRADE in Your AP CLASSES

Summary

In this video, Heimlich shares crucial advice for achieving good grades in AP history courses and beyond. The key to success, he explains, is to attend classes and diligently follow the assignments given by teachers. Drawing from personal experience, he emphasizes the importance of being mentally present in class and completing tasks as outlined in the syllabus. Heimlich also discusses balancing academic responsibilities with personal interests, encouraging students to make deliberate choices and accept the consequences. Ultimately, he underscores the value of hard work and personal agency in earning grades.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker emphasizes the importance of attending class and being mentally present to succeed in school.
• 📚 Following the syllabus and completing all assignments as instructed by the teacher is key to getting good grades.
• 🤔 The advice given by the speaker's father-in-law was to simply 'go to class and do what they tell you to do', which changed his approach to schoolwork.
• 🔑 There is no shortcut or 'hack' to make hard work easier; good grades require effort and dedication.
• 💡 The speaker suggests that the search for easy ways to get good grades might be misguided, as hard work is an inherent part of the process.
• 🧐 The speaker acknowledges that being a student is not the only aspect of life, and other interests and passions should also be considered.
• 🏆 The speaker admits to not always prioritizing grades, and that sometimes personal choices lead to lower grades but richer life experiences.
• 🤝 The speaker's realization that grades are earned by students, not given by teachers, was a significant shift in perspective.
• 💼 The speaker's GPA was not perfect, but he was satisfied with his choices and the grades he received as a result.
• 🚀 Embracing the consequences of one's choices, whether they lead to high grades or not, is an important part of personal growth.
• 🌟 The video concludes with a reminder to take the advice seriously, as it can lead to success in AP classes and potentially a high score on the AP exam.

Q & A

What is the main advice given by the speaker's father-in-law for achieving good grades in college?

The main advice is to go to class and do what the professors tell you to do.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of being mentally present in class?

The speaker emphasizes mental presence because there are many distractions that can divert attention away from the class material, even if physically present.

What does the speaker mean by 'doing what they tell you to do'?

It refers to following the syllabus and completing all the assignments, readings, and projects as outlined by the teacher to succeed in the course.

How does the speaker describe their experience with procrastination?

The speaker describes themselves as a natural procrastinator, with a 'lazy monkey' at the helm of their brain that only acts when a deadline is near.

What was the result of the speaker following the advice given to them in college?

The speaker achieved decent grades by following the advice and disciplining themselves to complete assignments on time.

Why does the speaker argue that there is no hack to make hard work easier?

The speaker argues that hard work is inherently difficult and the only way to achieve good grades is by putting in the effort required.

What does the speaker suggest about the balance between schoolwork and other life interests?

The speaker suggests that while schoolwork is important, it's also crucial to balance it with other interests and passions outside of school.

How did the speaker's perspective on grades change after college?

The speaker realized that grades are earned by students based on their effort, and teachers do not owe them good grades regardless of the circumstances.

What was the speaker's GPA in college and how did they feel about it?

The speaker had a 3.3 GPA in college and they were satisfied with it, understanding that they made choices that affected their grades.

What is the speaker's final advice regarding the pursuit of good grades?

The speaker advises to go to class and do what the teacher asks, but also to recognize that there may be times when other aspects of life are more important, and to embrace the consequences of those choices.