Tips to improve from A- to A grades? Forum
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Tips to improve from A- to A grades?
As I would love to transfer into a better school, I am really keen on doing well this semester. In order to really make it happen, I would need to jump from around top 15% of the class (where I am around now) to around 7% or something. Basically, I need to kill it come finals. I got a slew of A-'s and 2 B+, so I still feel like I need that extra help to really "get" the tests.
What do you suggest I do with the 3 weeks that I have? What helped you really do well in the second semester? What should the focus be on? I am going to try and get through the book "getting to maybe," is that a good idea?
Thanks for any help you can offer!
What do you suggest I do with the 3 weeks that I have? What helped you really do well in the second semester? What should the focus be on? I am going to try and get through the book "getting to maybe," is that a good idea?
Thanks for any help you can offer!
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Re: Tips to improve from A- to A grades?
Here are a few things that may help. Anecdotally, these have worked well for me in the past.
Alternative arguments (most important, IMO), references to analogies made in class, case and statute citation, etc.
Alternative arguments (most important, IMO), references to analogies made in class, case and statute citation, etc.
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Re: Tips to improve from A- to A grades?
Try and always throw in "Nevertheless, as a policy matter, xyz." (Just some big picture thing that shows how it would be hard to enforce/have some negative effect/etc).. you can basically have a one liner tee'd up for most big topics in your class. That'll help separate you a tad, assuming your other stuff is good
Do this at the very end of a big section/question response (i.e. somewhere it makes sense and don't spend more then 1-3 sentences on it, particularly with an issue spotter)
Do this at the very end of a big section/question response (i.e. somewhere it makes sense and don't spend more then 1-3 sentences on it, particularly with an issue spotter)
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Re: Tips to improve from A- to A grades?
Focus on the word "because" - explain absolutely EVERYTHING
- EzraFitz
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Re: Tips to improve from A- to A grades?
Git gud.
No but really, first I echo pretty much all of the above advice. The absolute best thing I've done to get A's is to never ever assume ANYTHING that is not black and white stated to be true. Always be ready to go to every possibility. Obviously, trek down the river from most obvious to least obvious to gather up the low hanging fruit points, but getting to the little stuff can push you over the edge.
Second, learn your professor. This is way better than simply learning the material or the class. Your professor has a way they like things. Do they answer student questions a certain way? Do that. Use certain "Key phrases" that they made up? Use them. Your professors are writing the test, so if two exams are identical, but one catches their natural instincts, that one will get the bump.
I feel like if you're getting A-'s, Getting to Maybe might waste your time, but I did read it before school and again before 1L fall exams started, and I found it very helpful. Hope this helps!
No but really, first I echo pretty much all of the above advice. The absolute best thing I've done to get A's is to never ever assume ANYTHING that is not black and white stated to be true. Always be ready to go to every possibility. Obviously, trek down the river from most obvious to least obvious to gather up the low hanging fruit points, but getting to the little stuff can push you over the edge.
Second, learn your professor. This is way better than simply learning the material or the class. Your professor has a way they like things. Do they answer student questions a certain way? Do that. Use certain "Key phrases" that they made up? Use them. Your professors are writing the test, so if two exams are identical, but one catches their natural instincts, that one will get the bump.
I feel like if you're getting A-'s, Getting to Maybe might waste your time, but I did read it before school and again before 1L fall exams started, and I found it very helpful. Hope this helps!
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- zot1
- Posts: 4476
- Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:53 am
Re: Tips to improve from A- to A grades?
I don't understand why you're aiming for an A and not an A+.
- mjb447
- Posts: 1419
- Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2013 4:36 am
Re: Tips to improve from A- to A grades?
Hey, it's only three weeks (now more like two).zot1 wrote:I don't understand why you're aiming for an A and not an A+.
- Joscellin
- Posts: 1515
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2014 1:40 am
Re: Tips to improve from A- to A grades?
Get in your professor's head and answer questions the way they answer them in class.
- CountingBlue
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2015 11:53 pm
Re: Tips to improve from A- to A grades?
I think this is great advice. I have taken a sickening number of years of schooling and this has worked at every level. It isn't a matter of having the same opinions of the professor, but you want your mental map of the course material to match theirs. That way when you get a question you know exactly what material they expect to see in the response.Joscellin wrote:Get in your professor's head and answer questions the way they answer them in class.