Top 10 Tips to Improve Your GPA

By Cece Gilmore

Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU. Full Bio

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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania. Full Bio

Maria Geiger

Posted: October 24th, 2023

Improving your GPA is a goal of many high school and college students who want to achieve academic success and unlock future opportunities. If you feel that your GPA could be improved, you are not alone! Keep reading to learn some top tips to help you improve your GPA! 

What is your GPA?

Your grade point average or GPA is the average of all of the grades you earn in each of the classes you take. Typically GPA is weighed on a 4.0 scale with a 4.0 being equivalent to a 100 or the highest outcome you can achieve. 

Why improve your GPA?

Improving your GPA can have several benefits, as your GPA will affect your prospects for college admissions, scholarships, jobs, internships, and more. So, read more to learn why improving your GPA in high school and college is important.

If you are in high school 

• High school GPA is one of the most important factors considered for college admissions, therefore, a strong GPA can increase your chances of getting into a college
• Many scholarships are merit-based meaning they require a minimum GPA for eligibility
• A higher GPA can allow you to take more advanced courses such as AP or IB 
• Some extracurricular activities such as honors societies and leadership roles may have GPA requirements for participation 

If you are in college 

• If you plan to pursue graduate school, a strong college GPA is often necessary for admission to competitive programs. In fact, many graduate programs have a minimum GPA requirement in order to apply. 
• Some degree programs or majors may have minimum GPA requirement for graduation
• A high GPA can keep your options open after graduation allowing you to explore various career paths 
• A strong GPA can give you a competitive edge in the job market 

Also see: What GPA do you need to get a full scholarship?

Top 10 tips to improve your GPA

1. Attend class 

One of the best things you can do in order to improve your GPA and grades is to attend class! Attending class will allow you to directly engage with the course material and learn from your professor first-hand which ensures you will not miss important concepts or information! Additionally, active attendance demonstrates a commitment to your professors which can potentially lead to academic support if necessary.

It’s also important to be attentive and engaged if your classes are online as it can be easy to become distracted while logged into online classes. Try to find a quiet environment with minimal distractions to attend your online classes. 

2. Manage your time effectively

Managing your time effectively can open up lots of time to allow you to focus on your studies while simultaneously participating in work, social activities, exercise or whatever else you may need to do in addition to school. This is because effective time management can minimize procrastination and encourage consistent study habits which are key to retaining information in order to perform well in classes. Additionally, managing your time effectively can help you reduce stress and create a conducive environment for focused and productive learning.

Related: Top 10 tips to reduce test anxiety

3. Ask questions!

No matter what it is – ask questions in class, to classmates, to friends, to everyone! Asking questions can help clarify any doubts you may have about the course materials which can lead to a better understanding of the subject. Asking questions can actively involve you in the learning process which can improve retention of information.

4. Create some study habits

Creating study habits can help you maintain some structure in your learning routine! Consistent studying over time helps reinforce your understanding of the material which can help you improve your scores on assignments and exams.

5. Use an agenda or calendar

In order to help you stay on track of your assignment and exam deadlines, you should invest in an agenda or calendar. Having a physical calendar or a virtual one can help you manage your tasks as well as prioritize deadlines. You can clearly see which assignments, exams or projects are approaching and allocate more time to the most critical ones. Additionally, you can write out your study plan on your calendar to ensure you are making time for studying even if it’s just 15 minutes every day! 

6. Set some goals

Setting goals can help you improve your GPA. Try to set a few smaller goals and one big goal! Achieving smaller milestones can help boost your confidence and keep you motivated towards your larger GPA improvement objective. Additionally, setting goals can hold you accountable for your academic progress and provide a way for you to measure your progress. 

7. Avoid unnecessary classes

Taking fun electives while in college may sound appealing, but if you are trying to improve your GPA it may be wise to unenroll or avoid any unnecessary classes. This will allow you to concentrate all of your time and energy on the core courses that contribute most significantly to your major or academic goals. This focused effort can lead to higher grades in courses that matter most! 

Related: Which classes should I take senior year of high school?

8. Use your resources

Being a high school or college student means you have access to an abundance of resources. So take advantage of any resources you may have access to in order to help you improve your GPA. Here are some examples of resources you can use:

• Library
• Tutoring services 
• Office hours
• Career services
• Academic advisors
• Peer study groups

9. Find an ideal study location

Finding an ideal study location can help increase your productivity and concentration. Look for a quiet place that is free of distractions which can help you focus more efficiently on your coursework. Additionally, this location should be comfortable because you most likely will be sitting down here for an extended period of time. So an ideal study location should have comfortable seating, nice lighting and a suitable temperature. You should also choose a location where you have easy access to resources you may need such as textbooks and the internet. 

10. Develop some healthy habits

Most importantly, you need to take care of yourself!  Make sure you develop some healthy habits such as regular exercise, proper nutrition and sufficient sleep as doing so can improve your cognitive function! When your mind is alert, you can concentrate better which can help improve your academic performance.

Frequently asked questions about improving your GPA