<p>I really agree with fallenchemist. I will give you some advice about getting good grades. </p>
<p>Always focus on what the professor wants, especially in a humanities class. Figure out what s/he is looking for and produce it in an honest, and if possible, original way. For example, if he says you should write your essay clearly–as if you’re explaining to your mother–and you should “write such and such in the intro and such and such in the conclusion,” or if your history professor really emphasizes having a chronological structure in your paper, you should be very, very deliberate about adhering to these things. Be flexible about your work. It’s not so much about your ideas; it’s about learning from the professor, and when you humble yourself, you will learn a lot (if the professor is good).</p>
<p>Also, if you’re not happy with your schedule, keep trying to Add/Drop/Swap until the very end. Keep an open mind, and for GERs, choose based on the professor, not the subject. I’ve gotten into some of the best and most important classes at the last minute. Never think “oh, it’s just one semester”; make every class every semester count. You’ll be much more likely to get a high GPA if you pick good, important classes.</p>
<p>Other than that, as long as you take your work pretty seriously, I can’t imagine you not getting A’s at Emory. I saw a book called Professor’s Guide to Getting Good Grades in College that I found alarmingly true to my experience, so you might want to read it.</p>