In my post, So, How Did You Do Last Semester, I talked about making a plan to better your performance this semester. Here are five steps that will improve your performance in any course in any semester.

1. Go see your instructors from last semester. Make sure your instructor knows you aren’t there to argue for a better grade. You’re there to find out what grades they have for you on all assignments and tests and how your final average and grade were calculated. You want to find out how you did and how you can do better in the future. In other words, you are there for information and advice. If you actually do deserve a better grade, that will come out in your discussions.
2. Take this information and your syllabus for that class and match the grades you received with the corresponding assignments. Are there certain assignments you did well? Some not so well? What are they and why did you perform the way you did. Do the same analysis with each test you took? Take the graded test home and figure out why you did problems wrong. By doing this you’ll find out where your test preparation was successful and where it failed you. I’ve found that a student’s poor performance most often comes from poor preparation—not from lack of understanding.
3. Assess your own commitment in each class during the last semester. Were you in class every day? Did you read the assignment?  Were you prepared for class?  Did you pay attention, ask questions about what you didn’t understand and take good class notes that you could use later? Did you see your teacher at least once last semester to make sure he/she knew you? This can make the crucial difference if you are close to a better grade.
4. Based on what you learned, make your “New Semester Resolutions.” Write down at least five things you are going to do next semester to improve your grades. Don’t just say them—write them down and read them every day. Share them with your professors this semester so they know how serious you are about doing well in their classes. This is how you generate and sustain commitment to doing better.
5. Use your performance in classes to check on how well you are at keeping your New Semester Resolutions. Also, check in with your teachers—they’re there to let you know how you’re doing. Stay on track this way every week of the semester.

These five things are not hard to do—but they do require courage and commitment. Facing a poor or failing grade from last semester takes courage; resolving to do better takes commitment. The biggest challenge is doing this consistently; use what you learn to do even better. This is the secret to college success. Don’t use that standard cop-out that the other students are “smarter than me.” They aren’t. They’re just doing the things I have shared with you in the last two posts. Now that you know better, you can do better.