Once upon a time, the idea of cramming to get good grades was common practice. College students would spend all night studying, trying to retain information for their important tests. However, studies surrounding how memory and cognition work have proven that bulk study sessions aren't ideal. Working hard can be good, but it isn’t always good. Of course, studying hard will eventually pay off in the long run and is more likely to yield good grades. But it doesn’t always work this way. FInd out how to improve your academic record following a few simple tips.
How to Get Good Grades Without Trying: 5 Helpful Tips
We all know the basic rule: if you study a lot, you will get higher chances of getting good grades. But in this article we won’t talk about common tips like “do your homework in time” and “be active in class”. Here we will discuss things that impact your studying process a lot, but usually don’t get enough attention. We developed a plan that will help you succeed in school without much effort. These simple points we provided below will help you get better grades without cramming homework all night long.
How to Get Better Grades: Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is one of the most important contributors to improving your memory. If you sleep enough, you get better concentration and thus, get better grades. Those who experience sleep deprivation often struggle to focus and retain or recall important information. The quality of your sleep will ultimately impact how well you perform during tests.
Sleep also contributes to consolidating your memories in a meaningful way. Think of your brain as a library, with your memories held in a series of filing cabinets. When you sleep, your brain files the information you've collected into clearly-labeled and organized thoughts. If you don't get enough sleep, those memories stay in a disorganized jumble or fade away completely.
Instead of staying up until 2 am studying, start earlier and end earlier. Prioritize high-quality rest and create a separate environment that lets you sleep away from your study materials.
Keep in mind that a brief nap between study sessions can also have tremendous impacts on your memory and retention. And good study music will help you with study concentration.
How to Get an A on a Test without Studying: Nourish Your Brain
People with good habits say “I don't study and I get good grades” more often than people who don’t care about their habits at all. A part of taking rest periods from your study efforts is to provide time to nourish your body and recharge your brain. While incorporating some fun treats and snacks into your study routine can be fun, it's also important to shift your focus to nourishment and mindful eating to regulate your appetite.
If you're feeling foggy, take a rest period to drink a glass of water and have a healthy meal or snack. It's integral to remove distractions while eating to get in tune with your hunger cues so that you aren't distracted by phantom hunger pangs later.
Set reminders to stop and drink water as well. The symptoms of dehydration are often subtle and can be confused for exhaustion or hunger. Taking frequent water breaks will help improve your focus and energy. Or you can always pay for homework, your choice.
How to Get Better Grades: Don’t Let Stress Impact Your Memory
One of the ways how to do well in college is to set your brain to work properly. Stress wreaks havoc on the memory center of your brain. People who experience stress tend to have more trouble creating short-term memories. So, if you're stressing about your test next week, remembering what you've studied may prove to be challenging.
When you take study breaks, try to engage in a de-stressing activity. Do something simple that brings you joy. Try to avoid going on social media or scrolling aimlessly, as these activities can actually increase your stress levels.
How to Be Smarter in School without Studying: Movement and Cognition
Another way how to improve grades in high school is to get more physical activity during your study process. Exercise and casual rest seem like two very different activities. However, incorporating movement into your study breaks can help reduce stress and give your brain time to process what you've learned.
During your study sessions, practice passive movements that don't require a lot of thought or motivation. Simple stretching, yoga, cleaning, or walking outdoors will get you moving without engaging in intense exercise.
While intense exercise is a stress on the body, it also releases endorphins that can improve your mood and cognition. Rather than incorporating a hard workout in the middle of your sessions, consider scheduling them before or after your study.
How to Improve Grades: The Pomodoro Technique
If you still wonder how to get good grades in college without much effort, here is another way that will help you with it. The Pomodoro technique is a productivity tool that incorporates mid-range periods of focus followed by short breaks. Generally, this happens at a ratio of 25 minutes of dedicated work followed by a five-minute break.
Time management skills promote casual rest to help your brain focus and retain information. Consider using this method to support your study efforts.
The next time you consider an all-night study session, try to break it up into smaller sittings instead. Your brain and your test scores will thank you. If nothing works, asking your professor for a better grade might be a good option as well.
How to Get Good Grades without Studying: Bottom Line
Now you know easy and useful steps that will help you get better grades and improve your academic record without trying too much. Cramming the materials is not always a good idea since it can exhaust your brain and hence reduce your productivity and memory. Hey, help me with homework? Of course, just say the word. StudyCrumb is perhaps the only service that can help you quickly and for cheap.
Rachel R. Hill is a real educational devotee. She prides in writing exceptional general guides while listening to every need of students.
Comments
We'd like to clear up that just showing up to classes won't always work. A student also needs to be attentive and participate in discussions to get good grades.
It's all about time-management and active participation. Build a schedule and try to do your homework right after classes. This way, you will be able to complete your tasks faster. Besides, It's important to attend your classes and be active to earn good grades with minimal effort.