High school is a crucial period in any teen’s life. Apart from encompassing some of the most critical years for growth and self-discovery, it is also the time when teens actively prepare for college.
A mistake that many high schoolers make, however, is thinking that only their senior year matters for college. But the application season starts at the beginning of the senior year, which means that the first three years carry more weight than the last.
Although a decent SAT score and a respectable list of achievements, such as club or sports activities, are essential for successful application to well-known universities, a good GPA ties your overall progress.
Some colleges impose a strict minimum GPA, so it is vital to start working for it from the beginning of high school. By knowing how to calculate high school GPA, you can regularly monitor how you are doing and work on improving your grades when they are falling behind. High school is getting harder, so if your GPA is worrying you, here are some tips to improve it:
Retake Classes
If you happened to do poorly on a particular subject, then consider retaking it during the school year or in the summer. Most high schools offer you the opportunity to do so before moving into the next school year.
That gives you a decent window of time to think about what you did wrong, create a new study plan, and improve once you get a second chance. When you fail a class in the first semester, take it during the second. And if you fail one during the second semester, take it in the summer.
If you do not know how to calculate high school GPA, it is essentially an average of all your grades within each semester and the school year. Each letter grade has a numeric equivalent, ranging from 0 to 4.30.
As a result, an F, which equals to 0, will ultimately throw off your GPA despite getting an A in every other class. It may be a pain to go to school on your long-awaited summer break, but if it means saving your GPA, then it will surely pay off in the end!
Ask Questions
If you are struggling with a class, then approach your teacher and ask questions. There is nothing to be shy about – after all, getting answers to questions that are unclear to you beats failing and having to repeat a class. Approach your teachers after class and ask for help when you need it.
They will appreciate your effort to reach out and are usually more than willing to guide you through difficult topics. Ask for extra homework or problem sets to work on at home. Although it will not necessarily affect your grade, more activities mean a higher chance of mastery. Some teachers will also be willing to spend half an hour after school a couple of times a week to teach you, which is extremely helpful.
Transfer Your Middle School A’s
If you took high school level classes in middle school and had gotten some A’s, then check with your current school to see if they can transfer those grades over. That way, those A’s can compensate or replace your actual high school grades.
However, ensure that you only ask to transfer A’s, as any B’s will lower your GPA. Additionally, ask your school about whether or not transferred A’s have any weight to your school ranking. Some universities love applicants who were part of the top 10% of their year, so unranked grades can be detrimental.
It is vital to start working for your GPA as early as possible, as it has a significant bearing on your eligibility to enter particular colleges. Going to college will eventually become the most significant stepping stone of your career and future, so it is crucial to secure it as early as possible.
