How to get GOOD GRADES and STUDY in college (study tips, habits, advice)

Summary

In this comprehensive guide, Gina B shares her strategies for academic success, emphasizing the importance of early planning, effective study techniques like active recall, and the value of networking. She advises organizing schedules around syllabi, understanding grading systems, and prioritizing self-care. Gina also stresses the significance of genuine relationships and being proactive in college, suggesting that these elements can lead to a balanced and successful academic journey.

Takeaways

• 📅 Start planning early: The speaker emphasizes the importance of organizing your schedule right from the moment you get your syllabus.
• 🎨 Use color-coding for prioritization: Suggests using Google Calendar and color-coding tasks by difficulty or credit to visualize workload and prepare accordingly.
• 🔍 Be strategic with your efforts: Focus on tasks that contribute more significantly to your grade, rather than spreading yourself thin on less impactful assignments.
• 👀 Pay attention to grading policies: Understanding how your teacher grades and the weight of different assignments is crucial for effective 'grade hacking'.
• 📚 Actively participate in class: Being active and showing the teacher that you care can make a difference in your grades and relationship with the instructor.
• 🤝 Network with professors: Building a rapport with your professors can be beneficial, especially for future recommendations or insights.
• 👥 Collaborate with smart peers: Having friends who are knowledgeable in your subjects can provide additional learning support and clarify complex topics.
• 📈 Utilize study groups: Study groups can help distribute the workload and provide different perspectives on understanding course material.
• 📝 Practice active recall: Active recall, a study technique involving self-testing, is recommended for effective learning and retention.
• 🗓️ Schedule designated study and rest days: Establishing a routine with specific days for studying, homework, and rest can lead to better focus and reduced burnout.
• 💪 Prioritize self-care and health: The script stresses the importance of not sacrificing health for academic success and maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Q & A

What is the key to getting good grades according to Gina B's experience?

Gina B emphasizes the importance of starting to plan and organize from the moment the syllabus is received, rather than waiting until the first day of class. She suggests using tools like Google Calendar and Notion to track assignments and progress.

How did Gina B manage her class schedule and assignments?

Gina B used Google Calendar to input important dates and color-coded them by difficulty or credit. She also used a Notion flow sheet to track the status of her assignments, moving them from 'assigned' to 'completed' as she worked through them.

What is 'grade hacking' as described by Gina B?

Grade hacking, as described by Gina B, is a strategy to get good grades that involves more than just hard work. It includes understanding the grading system, focusing on assignments that are worth more, and being strategic about time and energy allocation.

Why are the first two weeks of a class important according to Gina B?

The first two weeks are important because they set the tone for the rest of the semester. It's a time to be serious, engage with the material, and understand the teacher's grading style and expectations.

How did Gina B approach studying and what technique did she find effective?

Gina B found the technique of active recall to be highly effective. This involves creating tests for oneself based on lecture notes and focusing study efforts on areas where information cannot be immediately recalled.

What role did networking play in Gina B's college experience?

Networking played a significant role in Gina B's college experience. She advises getting to know teachers, connecting with upperclassmen, and participating in clubs and internships to build relationships that can be beneficial for future career opportunities.

Why is it important to maintain a good start in the semester according to Gina B?

Maintaining a good start in the semester is important because it sets a strong foundation for the rest of the term. If a student starts with good grades on the first assignments and quizzes, it's easier to maintain that level of performance throughout the semester.

How does Gina B define 'active recall' in the context of studying?

Active recall is a study technique where a student has to recall information from memory, often using flashcards or self-testing. It requires actively thinking about and retrieving information, which helps in better understanding and retention.

What are some of the study habits Gina B suggests for effective learning?

Gina B suggests having designated study days, homework days, and rest days. She also emphasizes the importance of deep work and focused studying for a set amount of time, rather than spreading out study sessions over every day.

How does Gina B view the importance of health and self-care in relation to education?

Gina B stresses that education is not more important than health. She advises taking care of physical and mental health, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle to ensure optimal brain function and overall well-being.

What advice does Gina B give regarding the choice of degree and its relation to future salary and lifestyle?

Gina B advises being intentional and choosing a degree that aligns with one's desired lifestyle and salary expectations. She points out that a degree does not directly translate to a high salary and that factors like field of study and experience play a significant role.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Academic Success Strategies

The speaker, Gina B, shares her journey from struggling academically to achieving a 4.0 GPA multiple times. She emphasizes the importance of education and offers practical tips for academic success. These include planning schedules around syllabi, using tools like Google Calendar and Notion for organization, and prioritizing tasks based on their weight in the overall grade. She also discusses the concept of 'grade hacking,' which involves understanding how teachers grade and focusing on assignments that contribute significantly to the final grade. The speaker encourages students to be strategic in their approach to studying, to start strong, and to maintain that momentum throughout the semester.

05:02

📚 Effective Study Techniques

Gina B delves into effective study techniques, highlighting the importance of active recall, which involves testing oneself on material to ensure it's truly understood. She recommends creating flashcards and self-tests to reinforce learning. The speaker also discusses the significance of starting strong academically, as later tests and assignments build upon earlier knowledge. She advises students to allocate their time and energy wisely, focusing on high-impact tasks and maintaining a balance between effort and results. Gina B also stresses the importance of being active in class, getting to know the teacher, and forming study groups with peers who can provide additional insights and support.

10:03

📅 Designated Days for Study and Rest

The speaker shares her personal approach to managing study and rest by designating specific days for each. She emphasizes the importance of a balanced schedule that includes time for deep, focused studying, homework, and rest. Gina B advises against the common practice of cramming and last-minute studying, advocating instead for consistent, quality study sessions. She also stresses the importance of self-care, maintaining health, and managing stress, as these factors significantly impact one's ability to learn and perform academically. The speaker encourages students to seek help when needed, whether through counseling services, supportive friends, or family.

15:05

🤝 Networking and Career Preparation

Gina B discusses the value of networking and its role in career development. She encourages students to build genuine relationships with professors, peers, and professionals in their field of interest. The speaker highlights the importance of internships and extracurricular activities, such as being a Resident Assistant (RA), as opportunities for networking and skill development. She also advises students to be intentional with their degree choices, considering both personal passion and potential salary outcomes. Gina B reminds students to prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy lifestyle, as these are foundational to academic and career success.

Keywords

💡Grade Hacking

Grade hacking, as discussed in the video, refers to the strategic approach to achieving high grades by focusing on the most impactful aspects of academic performance. It's not just about hard work but working smart. The term is central to the video's theme, as the speaker shares her personal experience and strategies for excelling academically. For instance, she mentions that 'there is a strategy to getting good grades, it's not just hard work' and emphasizes the importance of understanding how grades are distributed and focusing on assignments that carry more weight.

💡Academic Bag

The term 'academic bag' is used metaphorically to describe the collection of skills, strategies, and habits that one possesses to excel in their studies. It's a play on the phrase 'swagger' or 'bag', implying confidence and having what it takes to succeed. In the script, the speaker says 'how to really be in your academic bag', suggesting that she is about to share the secrets to being confident and successful in school.

💡Syllabus

A syllabus is a document provided by instructors at the beginning of a course that outlines the course objectives, content, assignments, and grading criteria. In the context of the video, the speaker stresses the importance of the syllabus in planning and organizing one's academic schedule. She advises starting to organize using the syllabus right away, as it is crucial for understanding 'how you're being graded' and for 'knowing the breakdown of each assignment'.

💡Active Recall

Active recall is a learning technique where students actively attempt to retrieve information from memory, rather than passively rereading or reviewing notes. The speaker introduces this concept as a game-changing study method that helped her achieve a 4.0 GPA. She explains that active recall involves creating tests for oneself from lecture notes and focusing on areas where one gets stuck, which indicates a lack of understanding that needs further study.

💡Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry is a branch of chemistry that focuses on the study of carbon-containing compounds. In the video, the speaker mentions organic chemistry as her hardest class, using it as an example to illustrate the importance of understanding the workload and difficulty of different subjects. She categorizes it as a 'red' class in her color-coded system, indicating its high difficulty and the need for focused attention.

💡Notion

Notion is a productivity tool used for note-taking, task management, and organizing information. The speaker mentions using Notion to track her assignments with a flow sheet, moving tasks from 'assigned not done' to 'in progress' and 'completed'. This tool helps her stay organized and visually manage her academic responsibilities.

💡Networking

Networking refers to the process of building and maintaining professional relationships. The speaker emphasizes the importance of networking for career development, stating that 'networking could literally make or break your career'. She advises viewers to connect with professors, get involved in clubs, and pursue internships as ways to build a strong network.

💡Self-Care

Self-care encompasses activities that individuals engage in to take care of their mental and physical well-being. The speaker stresses the importance of self-care in the context of academic life, cautioning against sacrificing health for school. She encourages viewers to maintain a balance, get enough sleep, manage stress, and prioritize their health.

💡Designated Days

Designated days refer to specific days set aside for particular activities or tasks. The speaker suggests having designated study days, homework days, and rest days as part of a balanced schedule. This approach helps in managing time effectively and ensures that there is a clear separation between work and relaxation.

💡Study Groups

Study groups are collaborative sessions where students come together to discuss, learn, and prepare for academic tasks. The speaker highlights the benefits of forming study groups, stating that they can provide additional support and resources. She mentions that having friends who are smarter can act as a 'second teacher' and help explain concepts more effectively.

💡Gatekeepers

In the context of the video, gatekeepers are individuals who control access to opportunities or resources. The speaker discusses the concept of gatekeepers, suggesting that while they exist, there are also 'Destiny helpers' who can assist in achieving one's goals. She encourages viewers to build genuine relationships as a form of networking, which can lead to meeting such individuals who can help rather than hinder progress.

Highlights

Grade hacking involves a strategic approach to achieving good grades, not just hard work.

Surrounding yourself with smarter friends can provide access to better study spaces and knowledge.

The importance of starting to plan and organize your schedule from the moment you receive your syllabus.

Using Google Calendar to input important dates and color-coding them by difficulty or credit can help in planning.

Active recall, a study technique involving recalling information from memory, can significantly improve study effectiveness.

The first two weeks of a course are crucial for setting a strong academic foundation.

Understanding how a teacher grades and the weight of different assignments is vital for effective grade hacking.

The smartest students often don't attend class if attendance isn't mandatory, preferring to manage their time more effectively.

Being active in class can make a difference in your final grade due to the potential for teacher bias towards engaged students.

Getting to know your teachers and networking with them can provide benefits, such as understanding their grading style.

Making friends with upperclassmen or those who have already taken the class can offer additional insights and explanations.

Study groups can be beneficial, but avoid being in a group where everyone is confused about the same thing.

Maintaining a high performance from the start of the course is easier than trying to raise your grade later on.

Organizing your classes from the hardest to the easiest and allocating time and energy accordingly is a key strategy.

Designated study, homework, and rest days can help maintain a balanced schedule and prevent burnout.

Prioritizing self-care and health is crucial for optimal brain function and should not be sacrificed for academic pursuits.

Networking is essential for career success and can open up opportunities that knowledge alone cannot.

Being intentional with your degree choice, considering both passion and potential salary, is important for long-term satisfaction.

Transcripts

there is a strategy to getting good

grade the moment I found out about grade

hacking that's when I started getting a

4.0 have friends that are smarter than

you who you know can get you in spaces

that knowledge on its own can the

smartest kids would never go to class

I'm sorry I'm not about to be doing

homework every day let me teach yall the

right way to study hi my loves it's me

Gina B welcome to the final episode of

Back to Basics your Guide to Everything

back to school thank you for coming to

class every day thank you for tuning in

I got dressed stuff for the last day of

class and the first day of school for

y'all I truly do believe education is

very important and like I said in the

first episode as long as you make sure

you are getting a return on your

investment go ahead for me there's a

couple things I wish I knew careerwise

networking wise that I wish someone told

me and grade wise y'all I'm going to be

100% vulnerable with y'all I've always

been good at school my whole life so I

thought College was going to be no

difference like I wasn't even thinking

about the academic side my first

semester I got my first first ever F I

know you know B getting a f I know it

was unheard of for me granted in my

defense it was in Spanish

and like I really thought it was all fun

in games it's just Spanish it really

showed me but it don't matter like I

went from struggling in class to getting

a 4.0 now once but multiple times

because I'm really that girl one thing

about me even if I hit rock bottom I'm

going rise to the top every time I just

need to figure out the right systems so

today I'm going to put you on to those

systems and the tips the tricks

everything I learned to how to really be

in your academic bag school starts

before class starts that is the key if

you planning out your schedule the first

day of school I'm sorry baby you are too

late I mean it's never too late I just

wouldn't advise that the moment you get

your syllabus start organizing I would

go on Google Calendar and I would put in

all the important dates quizzes exam

projects I would color grade it by

difficulty or credit my hardest class I

ever took was I believe bio no biocham

was kind of easy can you imagine me

saying biochem is easy orgo maybe orgo

organic chemistry was my hardest class

so I would make that red if I have a

easy like one credit class that I don't

really have to do too much I would make

that green and then a mid tier class I

would make that yellow and I'm looking

at the work I have to do in my calendar

I can see oh shoot like the red I have a

red project coming up meaning in my

hardest class I have this major task I

also had a notion flow sheet I'll just

have all all my assignments and I'll

have a board right so notion you can

make these things called boards and I'll

move it from assigned not done in

progress working on it completed and use

that to kind of track my progress

through assignments so I feel like

that's a great way also to be organized

like I'll put a bunch of resources in

the comments and in the description box

like I'm going to make sure iall get

what you need to get okay this changed

my life the moment I found out about

grade hacking when they say work smart

not hard this is exactly what I did with

grade hacking there is a strategy to

getting good grades it's not just hard

work it's not just oh my God study till

your brain falls off so boom this is how

I grade ha the first two weeks are

extremely important those first two

weeks you better be serious and it's

crazy because the first two weeks are

usually the most lit as well so you

really just got to choose your battles

and pick your battles very carefully our

school had a system called adrop where

you could choose to stay or leave and

enroll in a different class monitor the

teacher is this teacher your vibe cuz I

realized right I would be in organic

chemistry my friend would be in organic

chemistry she barely gain any homework

the teacher matad you she really

chilling I'm in organic chemistry the

teacher is doing the absolute most but

do not be alarmed sometimes the more a

teacher does it's more beneficial for

you let me explain if the teacher only

has one major quiz two major assignments

and one project best believe every

single one of those things is worth so

much I feel like it's easier to grade

hack when the teacher has multiple

assignments multiple projects multiple

homeworks because 100 chances versus 100

divided by three baby once you mess up

you in the 75 mess up again baby 50s you

get so be mindful of the teacher and how

they grade and how they weigh certain

things the grade portion of your

syllabus is vital I need to know how I'm

being graded because that's how you

grade hat if you just putting equal

effort into every single thing baby

you're going to burn out and when it

really matters you're not going to have

the energy know the breakdown know how

much homework is worth know how muches

are worth how much projects are worth

like know what everything is worth so

you can allocate your energy effectively

the smartest kids would never go to

class if attendance wasn't mandatory of

course they would just utilize their

time properly you have to do well in the

beginning I saw a lot of kids will be

slacking in the beginning then at the

end you trying to raise your grade you

went about it all wrong in the beginning

you better begin hundreds nothing less

than hundreds ances are that's going to

be the easiest you got to understand

with teaching everything builds upon

itself the first test is going to be the

easiest test because everything else is

built off of that so if you failed the

first test you think about you can you

can it's just going to take a lot more

work so definitely definitely work

harder in the beginning okay because

towards the end it gets kind of dodgy

even for me a it so recap one know the

breakdown of each assignment and then

allocate your time and energy

effectively work the hardest on the

things that are worth more don't be

trying to finish all the homeworks that

are worth 10 points when the major

project is worth 75 points of your grade

do you get what I mean BR doing well in

the first half one you have to be active

in class went to a big university this

was really hard because there's an

element of like public speaking involved

in if you want to ask one question you

got to ask the whole 300,000 people in

the class I wasn't too good at doing

this but once once I started like

realizing okay when you're active in

class that shows the teacher that you

care there's nothing teachers like more

than knowing someone cares caring isn't

going to make you get a 100 but caring

could be the difference between a 89 and

a 90 just cuz they like cuz you also

have to understand human psychology

there's always a certain level of bias

so the student that cares that's active

that's present in class the teacher is

going to favor them a little bit more

than the one that's always sleeping

imagine if I was a teacher I'm trying to

teach and you're always sleep sleeping

and at the end of class you talk about

is there any extra credit no there's not

meaning I could have extra credit but

for you no but for the one that was

active raising their hand I could tell

like you really want to know get to know

the teacher like I'm telling you y'all

like if

I I'm telling you get to know your

teacher and become try some of them are

kind of weird but try to become

acquaintances and network with your

teachers because this also comes in

handy if you're in a hard class have

friends that are smarter than you they

will explain things better them the

professor they will help you and they

will be your second teacher please do

not be in a group where everybody

confused about the same thing making

friends with upper classman people that

already took the class people that

already went the path that I'm going in

chefs has completely changed my grade

forming study groups will help you

because people will be sending you

things that need to be sent when you

need them you get like form connections

and utilize all the resources so once

you start off high just try to maintain

it so you Ace the first quiz you're

doing good at the first homeworks just

maintain that level even if you drop

slightly it's like just try to maintain

it but if you start low and you try to

raise it baby I just I just hate to tell

you it's going to be hard so basically

grade hacking to me is doing the best in

the things that are worth more not

everything is weighed the same I'm not

about to be doing things worth five

points when some things are worth 75

points like I said earlier definitely

organize your classes from hardest and

most timec consuming to to the easiest

and less time consuming and spend more

energy and time on the things that are

harder sometimes energy and willpower is

a limited resource I feel like for me

that's how I would procrastinate I would

do the easy work and avoid doing the

hard work but I would feel like I got so

much done because I did the easy work

when the easy work didn't really matter

I'm really putting you on if you would

just Shine Your Eye and listen I promise

you you to can be the president of

America like me for a very long time I

did not know how to properly study I

just thought studying was just cute

little highlights study group like we

fake studying it's survive it's cute I'm

having fun no there is a real and proper

technique to effectively study one thing

you do not want to do is wait till last

minute I know sometimes it seems like

you really doing it you really took it

when you wait till last minute and you

still do good don't stop doing it don't

even stop let me teach yall the right

way to study the moment I started using

active recall that's when I started

getting a 4.0 before I couldn't

understand why I was in this be be vibe

like g a b but I'm trying to get a a

like please now what is active recall I

had to do my research on this because

I've been I've been out of school for a

year now active recall is a studying

technique that involves having to recall

information from memory you could do

this through flashcard and self testing

and I'll put the exact video that put me

on to this by Ali I love Alie like he

really put me on to stuff and he used to

be a doctor so I'll put the exact videos

that I used to learn how to active

recall so what you want to do is you go

through your lecture notes and you make

a test for yourself so whatever you

don't know is what you study more when I

was in BIO right I would take my bio

notes and then I would make me a test

what is this what is that and then if I

get stuck that means I don't really know

that thing and then I'll refresh my mind

or study that thing and then I'll retest

myself again you could recall something

that shows that you actually know it

think about it when you are taking a

test that is active recalling you have

to recall the things that you have

learned so if you can't recall it what

does that mean you didn't really learn

it that's why you're feeling no but like

literally so once I realized that that

change the game that's really the only

study technique that you truly truly

need again explore what you think works

for you but I really think that is the

best way to study some habits I truly

truly do suggest have designated days I

had designated study days designated

homework days and designated rest days

I'm sorry I'm not about to be doing

homework every day if Mondays are my

study days Monday I'm studying if

Tuesdays are my homework days I'm only

doing homework and once I'm done I'm

done if it's a rest day like Friday

Saturday or Sunday maybe I'm resting but

make a schedule that actually allows you

to do what you need to do when you need

to do it realistically you are not going

to do homework every single day you're

not going to want to study every day and

you don't really have to 2 hours of

proper zoned in deep work studying is

way more effective than every day barely

looking at it getting distracted talking

to your friends but you studying just

really be real with yourself and

allocate the time and do what you say

you're going to do during that time yeah

and I use this technique in life too

like I have designated filming days

designated editing days and that's

really been like helping me keep up with

your health I don't care what anybody

says education is not worth more than

your health I've seen people get sick

people get depressed from school and I

just don't think that's worth it cuz I'm

looking at it from a biological and

psychological standpoint if I am not

healthy my brain cannot operate at the

highest form so definitely definitely

definitely make sure you are taking care

of yourself and don't sacrifice your

health for school even though that's

what culture teaches like stay up and

study work hard grind don't do that like

really really prioritize self-care as

well I did not sleep enough in college

and I mean there's a time and place for

that you just have to live a balanced

life but I would say try to at least get

some sleep and I also feel like getting

sick throws off everything like once you

get sick like you could barely study you

can't go to class you missing days so

keep up with your vitamins keep up

eating healthy keep up just like really

try to prevent getting sick as much as

possible obviously it's hard they have

y'all caged up like salmon is it salmon

sardines in a little dorm room

definitely try to manage your stress

some ways I manage my stress was

basically praying like if your college

offer therapy counseling like definitely

speak to someone about it try to find

help try to find a supportive friend

group talk to your parents talk to

anyone you can and try to kind of

relieve some of that stress like I said

in the other video make sure the degree

you're pursuing aligns you to have the

life style you want make the money you

want and live the type of life you want

degree does not translate to salary

things like your field and experience

kind of make your salary so be mindful

like don't go pick a degree with a

starting salary of 50k and think you

going to graduate and make 120k vice

versa there's some degrees where people

graduate and make 100K off B so if

that's what you want look into that but

if you're not passionate about it like

just try to find that middle ground

between passion and salary I personally

do not think college is a scam what you

got to make sure though is be

intentional make sure you are getting

everything you possibly can down to

student discounts networking career

advice like get every like utilize every

resource at your University networking

is what I wish I did more networking

could literally make or break your

career it is true when they say it's not

about what you know but who you know

because who you know can get you in

spaces that knowledge on it own Camp I

feel like the internet has like

normalized this idea of oh Gatekeepers

Gatekeepers but in life there are

Gatekeepers and there are Destiny

helpers there are some people that you

need to meet in order to get to where

you need to go to Ruth needed Naomi or

did Naomi need Ruth they needed each

other right so how the world is

relationships are crucial to where you

want to go there are certain people that

you need to know and you need to connect

with not only for self- gain but for the

greater good of the world like I don't

know what I would say about networking

is don't look at get it as this thing to

check off just prioritize building

genuine relationships and know that they

can pay off it's not everyone you meet

that you have to get something from but

just know that in the end it can pay off

a form of networking is connecting with

your professors if you want to pursue

higher education you're going to need

letters of recommendations and they're

going to want them from academic people

how can you network if you're not doing

nothing get involved in clubs get

involved in groups get involved being an

RA for me I would totally recommend

everyone to

I know it seems annoying and weird but

for some reason it was so much fun and

it taught us so many skills and allowed

us to network and connect so much deeper

so I would say being an RA do

internships those are ways to connect

wherever you intern can be your next job

opportunity once you graduate and it's

also the experiences you gain in certain

environments you can speak on them

during your job interview so say being

an RA definitely came in handy because

when I did certain job interviews and

they'll be like if there was this crisis

how would you solve it and I'll be like

well when I was RA often times I had

students do XYZ and I had to do XYZ in

order to solve XYZ okay storytelling you

got to tell them you can't just be like

I love teamwork and it's like how have

you ever teamw worked networking is just

about being genuine and connecting with

people that align with your future you

don't necessarily just have to oh I'm

just trying to get everybody on my

roster like no just genuinely connect

and talk to everyone so please don't be

standoffish be friendly just connect and

genuinely want to get to know people

again I cannot believe the series is

over I just hope you guys gained a lot

of value from it I really just told yall

everything I know everything I would

tell my youngest self everything I would

tell people in my real life I just

really put it out on the line and put

y'all on so I really really really hope

you enjoyed this series I can't believe

it's over like who's next like what's

next like and I am so happy for you guys

I feel like you're going to have a great

semester do not let anybody get in your

way of your goals and your dreams and do

not let anybody take you away from God

keep him first keep your goals in mind

be intentional like you got this um have

a great day at school in college in life

love you guys so so so much and I really

really hope this video helped don't

forget to like comment and subscribe if

I gave you value in any way definitely

make sure to comment your own tips your

own advice and you could put the girlies

on don't forget I love you God loves you

stay happy stay healthy and stay blessed

m