15 Secrets of Getting Good Grades in College

At one point, I stopped allowing extra credit. Students would plead for it, and I would explain my logic. Over time, I realized that the only ones doing the extra credit enough to improve their grades were the good students who would make an A anyway. Students who really needed the extra credit didn't do it. Hence, I would explain, the reason why students with good grades have good grades and the reason why students who need the extra credit do, indeed, need the extra credit. It's a simple matter of doing the work. I finally gave in to the requests, but on my terms. There is no single big glob of extra credit. It is cumulative. Each class period there is the opportunity to add ten points. The method to this madness is supplied by another observation I have made. Students who show up more make better grades. Surprise! So, if they showed up for the extra credit, they would probably do better in the course anyway. I noticed a curious response from the students. I post the required total for each grade level. Students would accumulate the necessary number of points to get a "C", and I would never see them in class again. I changed the requirement for the extra credit that they had to complete all tests and hand in all assignments for the extra credit to apply. Very clever these students.

Daniel Leach of MO 9:29AM August 20, 2009