There are only a few more weeks in this semester so, if you haven’t already, read the syllabus for each class you’re taking. Really read it. The syllabus is the definitive action plan for great grades in every class. Have you  turned in all the work that was required? If you’ve missed an assignment, you’ll need to talk to your professor about it right now. Don’t wait until the last minute and then ask for something that can’t be done.

Do you know when your exams are scheduled? Check and double check—with your professor. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had students miss an exam then come to me in desperation because they “thought the exam was—(fill in the wrong date/time/place).”

From the syllabus in every class you should:

• Confirm how you’re going to be graded in class so you can get a good estimate of how you are doing and the grade you will get. Use my “How Am I Doing Worksheet” to figure this out.
• Note any other information about how the class is being run and what is expected of you. If there are other requirements, like class attendance, that factor into your grade make sure you have been marked present for all classes you attended. If you need to, talk to your professor about absences so he/she knows why you missed class. Professors have lives too, they understand things can come up.
• Don’t ask your professor for extra work to pull your grade up now. It is the end of the semester for your professor as well; they do not have time to custom tailor extra credit assignments for each person in the class. Instead, focus on doing the best you can with the remaining work in the class and talk with your professor about the best grade you can get in the class.
• If necessary, take the lesson. If you ignored the syllabus and did not keep up with how you were doing throughout the semester you may not earn the grade you wanted. However, you’ve learned something valuable and, now that you know better, you’ll use the syllabus as an action plan to do better.