I’ve had straight As throughout college, with the exception of an A minus in creative writing, but I’m kind of a “bad student” because my attendance is poor and I almost never take notes. I don’t really know why my grades aren’t worse, but here are some factors that might have something to do with it:
- Most colleges have grade inflation on some level.
- I tend to avoid lower-level classes, which are often graded more harshly.
- A lot of people say you should take a "balanced" schedule rather than overloading on one or two subjects. I've never followed this advice because I like math and I want to take mostly math classes. :P I think it's easier to have an unbalanced schedule because your classes will overlap and encourage the same kind of thinking.
- I procrastinate a lot, but I'm probably less inclined to procrastinate than other people because I really like my classes. There's a lot of pressure to major in something lucrative, but you still shouldn't choose something you hate.
Some other advice:
- My feeling is that "good students" often struggle unnecessarily because they focus on actions (going to class, taking notes, reading the textbook) rather than outcomes (learning the material). In most cases, this is okay because "good student" behaviors are strongly correlated with doing well on exams and getting good grades.
However, there are also cases where “good students” psych themselves out studying instead of cultivating an appreciation for the subject in a more relaxed way. A lot of people have a “no pain, no gain” mindset that makes school way more difficult than it has to be.
Schoolwork (or whatever) isn’t inherently painful just because it’s productive. If you’re studying something you like, the work should be fun on some level. Even if you’re not, it’s rewarding to get things done. Usually, the most arduous part of a task is gathering the motivation to start.
- Make friends in your classes and study together. (Most of my professors have also encouraged collaboration on homework. I think the best way to avoid sketchy situations is to try the homework on your own first so you have solutions of your own and you won't be tempted to do anything approaching copying.)
- Study from sources other than just your notes and the assigned textbook. (MIT Open Courseware is a good example.) Every source will give you a slightly different perspective on the subject, which means you'll end up with a more nuanced understanding.