Getting high grades is a game
I have done extremely well academically in school my entire life, and I have done pretty well during my past two years of undergraduate biology. I also probably work less and study less than almost anyone, including students whose grades are as high as mine. The reason I have been so successful is because I understand that getting grades in school is essentially a “game”. The students who understand the rules of this “game” the best are the ones who get the highest grades.
Unfortunately, it would be impossible for me to explain all aspects of getting grades as a “game” in just one post. Instead, let’s focus this article on one key concept I always use when approaching my university courses, and one that I feel many students unfortunately neglect.
All professors test differently, therefore you should prepare differently
When I look around, I often see students approaching all of their courses in the same way. They take the same type and amount of notes in all their classes, and provide the classes with the same intensity of attention.
Yet if you saw me in class and watched how I paid attention, took notes, etc., you’d quickly notice that I approach all of my lectures very differently. I probably typed more notes than anybody in my biochemistry course last year, whereas I skipped a ton of my organic chemistry classes or barely even listened while I was there. Yet in the end, I aced both courses.
So why are my in-class habits remarkably varied? My habits are varied because the way the important (i.e. testable) information in my classes are delivered also vary. One of the most important attributes of a strong student is the ability to recognize what’s going to be on the test, and where to find that information.