COMMENTS

Students with good grades often...

• are organized, keep a calendar, make and keep appointments.
• are aware of their limitations and plan ahead to avoid conflict and stress.
• are careful to attend all classes, laboratories and discussion sessions, usually without exception.
• do all the assigned reading as it is assigned, neither falling behind nor going too far ahead.
• take good, complete notes and promptly (often on the same day) revise them, fill in the spaces from readings and review them often.
• fill in the gaps in their notes, accounting for haste or absence, promptly and from accurate sources-- usually their professor and readings; friends may not always have good notes.
  consult faculty promptly when they are unclear about their work, assignments, or readings.
• work steadily, not in spurts, and while working harder before exams, they do not procrastinate and then try to cram.
• try to be rested before exams.
• are serious about their work and goals but also seem relaxed and maintain interest in varied activities.

If you find yourself saying many of the things below frequently (everybody says them once in awhile), you may want to reassess your work ethic and/or seek help from the MAX Center.

• "I really know the material; I just can't take tests."
• "DO I have to know that for the test?"
• "I don't know how to study for tests."
• "There's a test tomorrow?"
• "I could have done well, it's just that I had too many tests on the same day."
• "This course is not for me. I only do well in things I'm interested in."
• "I overslept!"
• "I went to class all morning. I deserve a nap."
• "8:30 classes are impossible."
• "2:30 classes are impossible."
• "I can't work before lunch."
• "I can't work after lunch."
• "My friend was having problems."
• "I stayed up all night studying, and I still mess up."
• "Everyone who gets good grades are narrow minded dweebs."
• "College is when you should be having fun. You shouldn't waste your prime years studying."
• "It's stupid to memorize these things. Even Einstein encouraged people to look things up."
• "I can't study because my room is a sleep trap."
• "I'll do it this weekend."
• "But I have to get a good grade to get into medical school!"