x min read
“Ace” Images – Unsplash.com
Introduction
Passing a class is one thing. Acing it is another. Sometimes classes can be difficult and pulling even a C on a test is a blessing. What if that could change, however? Maybe a certain class doesn’t have to be so difficult.
We live in a world filled with leverage, information, and opportunity. There are so many ways to dominate today’s work landscape and make the most of your life even the passion you hold doesn’t seem like a passion worth anything.
The goal of this post isn’t to inspire you, no. The goal of this post is to transform the classes you suck at into classes that you hold by the throat. Bad at math? No problem, we got you! Bad at chemistry? No problem, we also got you!
Today, your struggles end.
The List
We’ll make this quick, so there’s no need to skip to any other point.
Before we begin, I must say that the point of this assessment is so that you are familiar with the classes and subjects that you need the most assistance in. If you already know those, just take this time to figure out why you’re bad at those classes.
For example, if you’re bad at math, ask yourself why. Is it because you’re bad with numbers? Are you bad with fractions or decimals? Does it take longer for math-based concepts to stick in your head? Is forced learning in school making things worse? Is it a teacher? Do you just hate math with a passion and don’t know why? Is it because math is one of the harder subjects to study for? Be confident in your response.
Firstly, let’s complete a checklist that you need to have fully complete before we can assess anything at all. Without all these items checked, you really shouldn’t expect to ace any class at all. It’s a poor expectation.
Pre-Checklist
- Organize yourself. Know where you can find stuff easily.
- Attend as many classes as possible. You don’t need perfect attendance, you just need to be there at least 90-95% of the time, so that you’re not missing any important material and are caught up with everything.
- Ask questions. If you don’t understand something, don’t feel afraid to ask questions. The worst thing they can do is dog on your work, criticizing how behind you are compared to the rest of the group, and then help you. It’s happened to me a few times, as you can probably tell.
- Take suitable notes. Don’t jot down everything, but take notes on something of high importance in class or something confusing. The goal is to get all concepts reviewed in class to be glued into your brain’s long-term memory.
- Study when suitable. If you’re struggling in a certain class, you seriously don’t want to cram for anything. If you have a test coming up, start studying a few days prior. Get concepts glued into your brain before showing up without a clue as to what’s going on.
- Join groups. If there’s some group that you can be apart of, and it’s freely available, join it. If it helps and works for you, then it’s the right choice. Don’t be afraid to join groups, they’re not that bad (unless they are).
- Consume content online. Video-form content is the best type when studying for practically anything. It even helps when cramming (not that you should do so, of course). Spend the right amount of time each day to this, and watch your grade go up. They’re like lectures, but significantly more entertaining, because their goal is not just to educate, it’s to entertain and retain your attention for as long as possible.
List (cont.)
Secondly, with that out of the way, it’s time to assess which class are causing you the most trouble. Is it any of the core four (STEM, humanities), electives, or anything else? If it’s an elective, you probably should reconsider your decision. If it’s a core class, then you should seriously consider viewing content and information online; there’s so much of it.
Third, create a study/work schedule that works for you, challenges your brain, keeps you in the zone, and has you reviewing new and old material consistently so that you’re always up-to-date and familiar with all the content reviewed in class. We have an entire post that you can freely read if you’re interested.
Fourth, develop the necessary skills to master X subject. For example, if you’re struggling in math, it may be possible that you need help with analyzing, practicing, dealing with formulas, or proper implementation. To gain such skills, you can go to YouTube and search these subjects so that you can counter the exact problem troubling you.
Fifth, you have to master the time free at your disposal. If you have an hour everyday to dedicate to this, you need to learn how to master that time. You need to learn how to make the most of every minute. We also have a full article covering this subject so that there’s no need for you to go anywhere.
“Time” Images – Unsplash.com
My Personal Tip
If you’re finding a class really tough, don’t worry—there’s a cool trick you can try that might seem a bit different but can really help: Teach what you’re learning as if you’re explaining it to a kid. This goes beyond the usual strategies like attending extra tutoring sessions or forming study groups. Although it may sound slightly unconventional, it can be a huge help towards your studies. Here we present to you the Feynman Technique.
Named after the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, this technique is rooted in the idea of teaching to learn. Here’s how it works:
- Pick a Topic: Choose something from class that’s giving you a hard time.
- Explain It Like They’re 10: Pretend you’re explaining this tricky topic to a 10-year-old. This means you’ve got to make it super simple, breaking it down into easy pieces. You don’t actually need a kid there; just imagine you’re talking to one.
- Spot Where You’re Stuck: As you try to make it simple, you’ll quickly find out which parts you’re not too clear on yourself.
- Learn and Try Again: Go back to your books or find some videos online to understand those tricky bits better. Then, explain it all over again, even simpler this time.
Why It Works
What makes this trick awesome is that it forces you to really get the topic. When you have to make it simple, you have to understand it well yourself. Plus, this method makes you really work with the material, which helps you remember it better.
Here’s the extra tip: Record yourself on your phone or computer when you’re giving your explanation. Listening to it later can help you catch any parts you might still be confused about. Plus, these recordings can be great to review before a test.
This method, especially when you record yourself, isn’t something everyone tries. But it’s a great way to get a handle on tough subjects by making you a teacher and a learner at the same time. Give it a go, and you might find those tough topics becoming a lot easier to tackle.
Conclusion
This was a short post, so if you’re interested in reading a far longer, more in-depth post on how to maximize as much leverage as is freely available to you; be sure to notify us through social media. We’re constantly posting (even if we’re not the most consistent) on there, and are open to your opinions and suggestions.
Besides that, be sure to learn how to make the most out of your time. Seriously, we are given 24 hours each day (which is so much for a student), but the one thing that they don’t teach you (similar to many other important concepts) is how to manage your time properly. It’s a skill worth practicing.
