Midterms are finished – you’re over half way to the end of the semester. It is time to update your plan for success this semester to ensure you finish strong in every class. In GradeUP! Challenge #2, I talked about using the syllabus to develop your game plan to be successful in each class. Now use that same syllabus as the basis to update your plan for a strong finish in every class. Follow these steps:

• Look at your syllabus again to make sure that it is still correct and up-to-date including dates for remaining assignments and tests, especially when the final exam will be given. By this time in the semester, dates and assignments could have changed;
• Check to see if there are any study/review sessions you can attend and/or if there are extra credit assignments you can do to improve your grade if you need to – don’t wait until a week before the semester ends;
• Use the worksheets I discussed in GradeUP! Challenge #11 to update the grades you need on tests and remaining assignments to get the final grades you want;
• Write your plan down with a list of things to do and dates to have them done – this does not have to be a long document – it may be just a few sentences or bullet points or notes on your syllabus – enough so you know what to do when and how well you need to do it. Writing down your plan builds commitment to it;
• Stick to your plan and check your progress every day/week – don’t put what you wrote away and not look at it again – check it every day if you need to – every time you complete something in your plan, confidence in your success will grow and your grades will improve!

Update your game plan for a strong finish in all your courses.  You still have time to make it happen in all your classes!

All previous GradeUP! Challenges are available on the GradeUP! Challenge Week by Week page. You can learn more about getting the help you need to do better in your classes in Chapter 6 of College in Four Years; Making Every Semester Count.