A Hopeful Guide on How to Raise GPA in College and After

High-school students are obsessed with their GPA because it has no small weight in their college application. Some might just be ambitious and only think up new ways of raising GPA scores to secure that valedictorian's spot in the limelight.

However, when they do get into college, it's hard not to let things slide a bit. Newfound freedom, euphoria, friends, and parties – we get it. We have all been there. However, things get awry pretty fast when you realize that you may lose your scholarships because of poor academic performance or, worse – get kicked out of college altogether. So it's better to start caring about how to get a high GPA from the get-go.

Tried and True Strategies How to Increase Your GPA Bit By Bit

This section doesn't offer a silver bullet. You probably know all the things listed here. However, it doesn't hurt reminding that in college, just as it was in high school, good ol' grit brings you more than making a mess and trying to clean it up fast before the finals. Here is how to bring up GPA slowly but surely.

Attend classes and participate actively

Not all classes give you scores for attendance, but it doesn't matter. Show up, take part in discussions, ask questions, take notes. That's what you pay your tuition fees for – use this opportunity to work in the classroom. It's exhausting and – quite frankly – nearly impossible to have 100% across the board. We all get sick and have scheduling conflicts once in a while. However, do your best and don't neglect the attendance. This way, you won't miss any important announcements about changes in the syllabus or test dates and will show your goodwill to the instructor.

Turn your assignments in on time

Consistently putting effort into your homework and essays is the best strategy for steady success. Get a calendar to balance your workload and keep track of the deadlines. Often instructors take points off your grade for submitting assignments past the due date. It's better to hand in a less-than-perfect essay and get a B+ for it than submit a perfect one too late and get a B- after a point subtraction. If the situation is desperate, get professional help from essay writers.

Ask for help when you don't understand something

If you struggle with a particular concept or you feel you have gaps in knowledge, seek help. Visit your instructor during office hours with a list of specific questions. Find a tutor if your instructor cannot give you the time you need to catch up. Some colleges assign tutors free from the ranks of older students – find out what type of academic support is available. Talk to your advisor about how you can improve your grades. All those people are there to help you succeed – don't neglect this resource.

Advice on How to Boost Your GPA This Semester

What if you cannot play the long game, and it's critical to fix your grades this semester to keep those scholarships? In that case, here are some less apparent tips on how to raise GPA.

Change a course to Pass/Fail

All courses should bring you credit as a rule, but you can request changing some of them to pass/fail. Why? Because this way, it won't be factored in your GPA, ergo won't drag it down if you are scrambling to get a passing grade. This is the easiest way to give your grade point average a little boost, but don't waste your time! Most classes have a deadline for this switch. Moreover, not all courses can be changed to pass/fail, so consult your instructor and the registrar before applying.

Reconsider your extracurriculars

If you feel the workload is getting too much to handle, maybe you should cut back on some stuff. Student clubs, music, and sports play a significant role in a college experience, but you must learn to prioritize. If your GPA is suffering, it's a clear sign you need to refocus and concentrate on classes. Choose activities you cannot do without and put everything else on hold. After all, you won't be able to do any of that stuff if you get expelled for a disastrous GPA. Use the salvaged time to practice for exams – they are often the most influential GPA factor.

Drop a course

Drastic times call for drastic measures. If your instructor is adamant and won't give you additional assignments to earn extra points, if pass/fail is not an option, if you took several practice tests and it's clear that your GPA won't weather this blow – consider dropping a course. This is especially advisable if the course in question isn't required for your major. Just cut all your losses. Yes, it's a pity about all the time and effort you have invested, but at least your GPA will be unscathed.

How to Improve Your GPA by Selecting Classes Strategically

There are ways to plan for a better GPA when you are just getting your schedule together. Here is how to improve college GPA before you even get your first grade this semester.

Look out for the courses with a good credit-hours-to-difficulty ratio

To understand this trick, you need to know how GPA is calculated. Your GPA is the total number of grade points earned divided by the total number of credit hours attempted. Grade points are converted from letter grades, and the system is slightly different from school to school. Some colleges have more decimal places, but the general picture approximates this:

To get the total number of grade points for the course, you must multiply this numeric value by the number of credit hours for the course. For example, you take a class for 5 credit hours, and your current grade is B (or 3.0 points according to the table). That means your total grade points for the course are 3.0x5=15.

To determine your GPA, you must add up your total grade points for all courses taken and divide it by the total number of credit hours attempted (that's anywhere from 15 to 18, depending on your schedule.) If that sounds complicated, try our GPA calculator, it's super easy.

Now, the good strategy for boosting your GPA is having both variables in mind. You can, of course, focus on earning higher grades. However, the cunning plan is to find an easy class with many credit hours – this way, you get more points effortlessly. What's easy? That's subjective, but you can ask around the campus or consult websites like Rate My professor.

Avoid extra-difficult courses if you can

Taking intellectually stimulating courses is commendable. However, if you depend on a high GPA to pay your fees and continue your studies, go easy on the impressively sounding electives. Stick with the core subjects that are required for your major. By all means, challenge yourself – but don't take up too many challenging courses without a good reason.

Build your schedule around the most difficult class

In cases you need to take an extra-difficult course that is required for your major, balance your academic load by taking fewer challenging electives. When in doubt, consult your advisor about designing your schedule. Ask how you can keep on track towards your major successfully and fulfill your general education requirements without endangering your GPA unnecessarily.

How to Raise My GPA After Graduation

This happens a lot. You graduate in one semester, you look at what you have achieved, and you start wishing you'd put more effort into getting higher grades. You start asking yourself, "Can I raise my GPA from 2.8 to 3.0 in 1 semester?" However, the real question is, "Do I need a higher GPA?"

If you are worried about your job prospects, don't be. No one asks about your GPA. Just don't put it on your CV if you think it's not high enough for bragging rights. Focus on internships or personal projects outside of the classroom – they will impress your future employer far more than even a 4.0 GPA.

However, if you want to get into a graduate school whose entry requirements are higher than you thought, then "How can I raise my GPA after graduation?" becomes a legitimate question. There are two possible ways.

Retake classes that you did poorly at

Retaking classes is a viable option for correcting your GPA after graduation. However, this can be costly since most scholarships only cover tuition for students enrolled in a degree program. You can get around this by registering in a community college for the courses you want to retake. Even if the credits cannot be transferred and the new grades won't change your GPA, you can still boost your application by showing that you have improved your performance in the relevant courses.

Address your GPA in an additional note

Sometimes there are legitimate reasons for those few missing decimals. Maybe you did poorly early in the undergraduate program and decided to change majors. This early mishap can saddle you with a subpar GPA, even though the picture changes miraculously if you take out the first year of your undergrad.

Put a note on your application explaining the situation. Tell the admission committee that although you struggled, you have since then succeeded in the courses that matter most to your current field of study.

After all, GPA is not everything. Most employers and admission officers look at the application holistically, so take all opportunities to highlight your other successes if changing your GPA is impossible.