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Summary: The Big Picture

Summary: The Big Picture

Well we've reached the end.  I know I've thrown a lot of information at you, but hey, you're in college (or at least college-bound), so you can handle it.  Here's a quick summary of all 10 of the tricks:

Tricks of the Grade Summary

Part I: Base Building Basics

Quick Trick Action Steps: Why Ask Why?

1.   Establish a strong, compelling, personal "WHY" for being in college.

2.   Write or type out your "WHY STATEMENT."

3.   Test that why statement by asking yourself these three questions:

a.)  Am I willing to do whatever it takes to make this a reality?
b.)  Am I willing to pay the price with blood, sweat, and tears to graduate?
c.)  Am I willing to take the garbage that comes along with the college experience?

4.   Ask yourself, did I answer the previous three questions honestly and blamelessly? (If no, find another "why.")

5.   Put your why statement in a place that you can read it at least once a week (preferably Mondays).

Quick Trick Action Steps: Determine Your Destination

1.   Write down five goals you want to achieve BEFORE you graduate from college.

2.   Examine each goal and make sure that each is attainable, specific, measurable, and has a deadline.

3.   Answer the following questions as they pertain to each one of the five goals you listed (write out your responses):

a.)  What will I gain if I achieve this goal?
b.)  What will it cost me if I don't achieve this goal?
c.)  Who could help me achieve this goal?
d.)  What could prevent me from achieving this goal?
e.)  Who can I get to hold me accountable for my goals (and tell them)?

4.   Read your goals at least once a semester.

Quick Trick Action Steps: Break the Curve 

1.   Do whatever it takes to convince yourself that you can, will, and do deserve an "A" in every course.

2.   Find out from the professor or another student if anybody ever earned an "A" in the class before. If so, so can you.

3.   Raise your expectations by adopting your own grading system (not your college's).

4.   Make "C's" a thing of the past for you.

5.   Put forth an effort you can be proud of, and graciously accept whatever grade you get.

6.   Ask yourself: do I really expect to get an "A" in this course? If not, start from the top again.

Part II: Teacher Taming Techniques

Quick Trick Action Steps:  Let Your Fingers Do the Walking

Steps Summarized:

1.  Get a student/campus directory.

2.  Get a highlighter (a different color per major).

3.  Get a notepad and make a "T" in the middle of the page.  Label "Bad" on the left, and "Good" on the right. (have a blank page for additional notes)

4.  Highlight ALL students who have the following characteristics:

- Senior
- In your major (or other majors you're having problems with)
- Have a local number listed (to avoid high telephone bills)

5.  Rehearse script (practice, practice, practice).

6.  Call each student using a script.   

Quick Trick Action Steps: The Secret Recipe

Steps Summarized:

1.  Stay after class on the first day.

2.  Get a notepad.

3.  Ask the instructor for no more than ten (10) minutes of his or her time.

4.  Ask the instructor four (4) pre-prepared questions (see script).

5.  Write down the instructor's responses to questions 3 and 4 on your notepad.

6.  Explain your purpose (why you're  asking these questions) to instructor.

7.  Thank instructor for his or her time.

Quick Trick Action Rules: The Business of School        

1.  Try to show up for class everyday even when you don't feel like it.

2.  Be on time!

3.  Accept personal responsibility for everything that happens to you.

4.  Type everything if at all possible.

5.  Proofread everything until you're tired of reading it, and then proof it again.

6.  Never, never, never argue a grade.  

7.  Turn ALL assignments in on time.

8.  Always do a little more than the average student will do.

Quick Trick Action Rules: Boring is Better

Steps Summarized:

1.  Take all of your boring and tough classes over the summer.

2.  Don't take more than two courses per summer session (term).

3.  Sign up for summer classes taught by full-time professors only (avoid adjuncts).

4.  Use Trick #4 (The Recipe) on this professor.

Quick Action Steps: The Good Book

Steps Summarized:

1.  Set up an appointment to meet the instructor in his or her office.

2.  Ask to see the instructor's syllabus the semester before you enroll.

3.  Explain your purpose to instructor (i.e. to be prepared, get quick start, etc.).

4.  Ask about assigned reading material (if any, get it).

5.  Ask him or her how you can prepare for the class.

6.  Quickly scan the syllabus and ask questions if you have any.

7.  Thank instructor for his or her time.

Part III:  Street-Smart Study Strategies

Quick Trick Action Steps: If You Can't Beat'em Join'em

Steps Summarized:

1.  Find out who received the highest grade on the last test (ask the professor if you have to).

2.  Find that student and ask how he or she studied for that exam.

3.  Make a mental note of things you didn't do that the student did.

4.  Write down what the student told you.

5.  While studying for the next test, use your strategies and the student's to do better on the next test.

6.  If you want overkill, add Trick #10 (Group Therapy) to this strategy.

Quick Trick Action Steps: Group Therapy

Steps Summarized:

1.  After a test is announced, immediately initiate the formation of a study  group.

2.  Set up the meeting for the day before the exam.

3.  Study for the exam the day before your group meets.

4.  Facilitate the group meeting by making sure the group stays on course.

5.  As possible test questions are asked, always try to answer as many as  you can without referring to your notes.

6.  Make note of the questions you have a problem answering.

7.  After the group session is over, study only the questions you noted in the meeting until you know the answers.

8.  Quiz yourself one more time before going to bed.

To get the most out of this program, I would advise you to re-read Tricks #1-3.  They're the most important components of this program.  Without them as a foundation, your house will be blown away by the even the slightest breeze.  Internalize them and utilize them. 

As a "successful" college graduate and professor, I'm more convinced than ever that higher education, like life, is a game.  Those who know the rules win, and those who don't know end up feeling frustrated and cheated.

Although we've focused on how to achieve better grades in college, don't lose sight of the big picture.  I always tell my students, no matter how much they refuse to believe it, most professors understand what students go through.  There isn't a professor around who has never been a student; who's never had to study; who's never had to turn in assignments on time; who's never had to take boring courses and tough professors. 

However, I also ask my students, how many of them have ever been a professor?  Until this day, no student has ever said he or she has.  That means, contrary to popular belief, professors understand you much better than you understand them.  And hopefully, I've helped you to understand them a little better than you did before. 

I personally believe teaching is one of the most rewarding and most frustrating jobs there is.  As a professor, we have to make decisions that can affect and direct a student's future.  Very few students realize how tough it is for professors to have to fail a student they know has the potential, but just isn't utilizing it.  Few students know how difficult it is to believe in students more than they believe in themselves.  And even fewer students know how tough if it is to rebuild a student's confidence when he or she attaches his or her self-esteem to something as insignificant as a grade.

Although I have given you the tools you need to crack this system we call college, I want you to remember something else my mother told me.  She said, "You're just as good as anyone else. No one is better than you, but remember, you're no better than anyone else either."  These words help me to be confident, but at the same time, stay humble and not forget where I came from. 

As a child growing up in the ghettos of Miami, I realize now that attending college was not a right, but a privilege.  Greater people before us have paid the price for us to have the opportunity to pursue our dreams.  Attending college doesn't make you better or smarter than those who aren't.  In the big picture, college is just a means to an end, not the end itself.  It's an opportunity that creates more opportunities, but it's not the ONLY opportunity. 

So as you get a step closer to your goals, your dreams, and your graduation date, keep these words of wisdom in mind, "Learning is a lifelong process, it shouldn't stop until you do.  Never stop learning!" 

The recurring theme in this entire program is the fact that if you are willing to do the opposite of what most are willing to do, you will get better results.  It's been repeated several times for a reason....to make sure it becomes fixated in your mind.  To that end, I leave you with this poem that I dedicate to you entitled, "Not Like Most."  Read it, internalize it, and live it.  God bless!

Not Like Most

While most have decided to become part

of the problem,

we have chosen to be part of the solution;

While most have questioned "Why?"

we have dared to ask "Why Not?"

While most have accepted defeat,

we have accepted the challenge to compete;

While most have focused on the obstacles,

we have focused on the openings;

While most have been overwhelmed by difficulties,

we have transformed them into opportunities;

While most have given up,

we have certainly not given in;

While most have resolved to talk,

we have resolved to take action;

While most have lost all hope,

we have remained hopeful;

While most are discouraged by the output,

we are encouraged by the possible outcome;

While most have forgotten from whence they came,

we haven't forgotten who brought us this far;

And while most wish they were like us,

we thank God we're not like most.

 Joe A. Martin, Jr.

Live with purpose, passion, and power!

Note to the User:

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