To begin, you should know that I haven't always been a good student. In high school, I managed to scrape by with D's and C's. Grades that were certainly below average I dicked around my entire high school career, until one night, as graduation was approaching, I was looking at my ACT score, my grade point average, and the requirements for the college I wanted to attend. My grades were barely below the minimum requirement for the University of North Dakota's admission. It was at this moment that I thought, "I'm going to have to go to a technical college and study dental. There is no way that I'll get accepted here or be successful, for that matter." I was devastated, but also was revived. It was at this very moment that I decided that I was capable of chasing my dream to be a teacher. I was capable of chasing my dream to be the second one in my family to attend and graduate from a four-year university. I suddenly was so determined to chase what I had always dreamed of. And so, I did just that. I chased my damn dream, and this is where I am at today.
I am now a sophomore in college - the University of North Dakota, the school I didn't think I was capable of getting accepted to. I managed to maintain a 3.8 GPA my freshman year. This was s huge accomplishment considering when I graduated high school my GPA was lower than gas prices (I'm serious). I never thought that I would be that successful in college alone, let alone my freshman year. I just finished the first semester of my sophomore year with a perfect, 4.0 GPA. A perfect GPA. Perfect. A word that I never used to use when talking about myself and my accomplishments. I went from nearly failing out of high school, to turning my life around and getting my poop in a group and now, having a 4.0 GPA, more knowledge than I have ever had before, and even preparing to study abroad in London in January of 2019. These are just a few things that I had once only dreamed of doing or having. Never did I imagine that I would accomplish what I have so far. So, here are a few helpful tips to those who are struggling in school whether that's college or high school, on how to get that 4.0 that you are so capable of getting.
1. Get a planner and use itÂ
I can't tell you enough how poor my memory is to begin with, so using a planner (a pretty planner, at that) helped me tremendously.
2. Prioritize
Although college is supposed to be a fun time in your life, it is important to be mindful of the cost of college. For me, I took into consideration how much each credit I was taking costed (almost $400) and from there was able to almost scare myself about failing into passing with flying colors. My point is this: Yes, have fun. But also remember that every action has a consequence. Go to hockey games and meet new people but think about how your academics can suffer if you aren't mindful and don't prioritize. It's all about finding the perfect balance here, which takes time.
3. Sleep
Honestly, guys, getting adequate amounts of sleep regularly helps you in the long run. It helps you feel refreshed, more prepared, and less anxious. Did you know that lack of sleep can result in heart problems, increased feelings of anxiety, and lack of productivity? Be mindful of how you feed your body energy. Energy drinks or adequate sleep? No matter how busy you are or may be, there is always time for sleep. Again, this is another thing that takes time. Any time you want to develop a new habit, it takes time. So, be patient, young grasshopper.
4. Eat right
How you feed your body essentially has a significant effect on how you perform. I'm not telling you to eat nothing except vegetables, but incorporating balance in your meals will help you. Brain food is a legit thing. Certain foods have certain effects on your brain functions and how well you concentrate and problem solve. Therefore, if you don't feed your brain the proper food (and sleep) it needs, you won't be able to perform to your greatest potential. But again, this also takes time. Making small changes in your diet, such as cutting out pop, limiting your fast food intake, or sugar intake can have a great impact on your mood and overall performance. Note: Do not try to cut every bad food out of your diet at once. This can and will cause you to feel deprived and starving, leading to feeling grumpy and fatigued. WHICH IS NOT WHAT WE WANT.
5. Exercise
I used to hate the thought of working out. The thought of sweating grossed me out and I was content, or so I thought, with the rolls I had on my body. However, once I got to college, I developed a strict routine of working out. Every day I would go to the gym at 5:30 A.M. (so there were no excuses) and workout for a solid hour and a half. Every single day. This not only helped me avoid the freshman fifteen and lose seventeen pounds, but it also helped alleviate feelings of increasing anxiety and depression. Working out and getting your endorphins going really helps you. This is a form of natural medication for stress and anxiety. I can't think of a better way to alleviate stress than punching a bag hanging from the wall or running four miles. No, you don't have to do this, even going for a walk outside for thirty minutes is enough to help boost your mood. Also, check out your universities group wellness classes like Zumba, yoga, or kick boxing.
6. Balance
Balancing between work, school, exercise, social lives, and more in college can be extremely challenging. Especially if you're a first gen student who has no idea wtf they're doing (this was me). Finding the right balance takes time and is a frustrating process of trial and error. However, if you are truly patient and are willing to find your balance, it will come to you. And when it does, you'll be so happy that you put in the work to try and find your balance.
7. Breathe
Take a second each day to be mindful. Practice guided meditation, this seriously helps. Here is a link to my favorite guided meditation to practice if I am feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, or generally upset. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEzbdLn2bJc)
Breathing can help redirect your focus and get you back on track. I used to be the type of person who felt that meditating was for yoga doing hippies. That's clearly an irrelevant assumption (shame on me). But trust me that breathing is seriously so helpful. And, the guided meditation I follow is only five minutes long and is a great way to start your day!
These were just a few simple things I did to help me focus better in school and what I believed to help me get the grades that I got. However, it is important to note that everyone is different and these things may not be universal to everyone and that great things not only take time but come to those who work hard. So, work hard, persevere, ask for help from professors and counselors as needed, and understand that you're not alone. Every college kid is in the same boat as you, reach out to others and you'll see that.
The minimum wage is not a living wage.
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