5 Things I do to Maintain a 4.0 GPA
Maintaining a 4.0 GPA takes work!
If you have read about me here or here, you know that on top of my long-term career and eminent midlife crisis, I am also a full-time (non-traditional) college student. So, how do I maintain a 4.0 GPA with so many demands?
To speed this four-year degree along, I have opted to take summer courses — four of them! That is twelve credit hours. Each college course is traditionally 16 weeks. When taken in the summer, the college courses are condensed into five weeks of continuous demands and deadlines.
The only thing that makes this option possible for me is two of the classes were in Summer I, and now two will begin for Summer II, tomorrow. I already dread lacking the time I have gained during the last six days. But I must stay focused!!! I have a 4.0 to maintain! Besides, I have a mini-two-week break to look forward to before my next 15 credit hours begin in the fall and graduation is on the horizon!
Here are the five things that have helped me maintain a 4.0 during my non-traditional college career.
Headspace
My priorities align with success. I want to succeed! I don’t look for excuses to fail or ways to get out of my obligations on assignments. I have taken these courses for a reason — to learn!
Schedule
I plan my day with room for adjustments. There are endless possibilities for friction that might shadow my day. Therefore, I try to be as prepared as possible for the potential of an upheaval. On top of my work, school, and domestic obligations throughout the day, I also go to the gym five days a week and find time to work on “side hustle” projects! Sometimes, priority must be given to my daily tasks to make it all work out. Know the pecking order of your obligations!
Setting reasonable goals
I take on what I know I can handle. I know the demands of my day job, and I also know how much time I am willing to devote to ten or fifteen-page essays each week. Most of my courses are heavy in reading and writing, so I pick ones that complement each other to balance out the workload.
Research Courses and Professors
A professor can make or break a course and is an important factor to consider each semester. It is hard to control outside influences, but you can strategically prepare for potential problems! Rate my professor is a valuable tool to research professors through other’s experiences of how they conduct classes and interact with students! Sometimes it may be best to hold out a semester or take the course under a different professor.
Permission to Fail
Most importantly, I have permitted myself to make less than perfect grades. I know if I did my best, gave it my absolute all, etc. After all, I am doing this because I want to, not because I have to. I strive to maintain a 4.0 because I have something to prove to myself — Not anyone else!
Remember!
Strive to succeed.
Know what can go — Have a pecking order.
Set realistic standards for yourself.
Use strategic planning.
DO YOUR BEST and be proud of your accomplishments!
Of Note: Many colleges in the U.S.A. offer free courses to anyone over the age of sixty!
Thanks for reading!
Originally published at https://brandyniremburk.com on July 6, 2021.
