You got your grades. Now what?

Once you have seen your semester grades you have some decisions to make before the start of the next semester.  Here are some different scenarios and things to think about:

Your grades are great!  Congratulations!  Take some time to enjoy your success!  Then think about:

• What went well this semester that helped you earn such good grades? 
• How did you manage your time? 
• Where did you study?
• What study strategies did you use that worked?
• Think about your schedule next semester.  What did you do this semester that you can repeat?
• What class do you think will be your biggest challenge next semester?  How will you handle that?

Your grades are disappointing.  Think about:

• Where were your problems areas?  Time management?  Study environment?  Knowledge of how learning happens?
• What happened in your hardest class?  How did you study?  Looking back, what strategies might have helped?
• Did you seek help by talking with your professors or going to tutoring? 
• Examine the classes you struggled with.  What made them difficult?  Are there any indications that you should change your major to focus on classes in which you did well?
• Look at your schedule for next semester and plan exactly when and where you will study. 
• Review previous blogs on this site to get information about study strategies you can use.
• See if you should retake some classes to erase low grades and bring up your grade point average.
• Look for a Learning Strategies class at your institution and enroll.

If things are really bad:

• If you are not returning, check with the financial aid office to see if there is anything you should do to put any type of aid or loan on hold.
• If you are going to take some classes at a local college, be sure they fit into your course of study.
• Take a class in learning so you do not repeat the same  mistakes.
• Examine your priorities.  Is college one of them?

Whatever your situation, be sure to set yourself  up to be successful.  Focus on what went well and change the roadblocks that held you back.
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First Semester Success: Learning  Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.