How To Use your Syllabus to Finally Get the Amazing Grades you Want!

Everything you need for the semester you want!

This bundle includes:

• The Syllabus Study Planner

• The Pomodoro Planner

• A Confidence Tracker

• A Q&A planner

• The “Get Organized Checklist”

• and more!

This workbook is full of super useful resources that can be applied to every aspect of your day.

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I’m going to let you in on a little secret, the most important day of class is probably the one you least expect.  It’s not midterm day.  Nor is it the final exam.  It’s also not any of the lectures in between.  The most important class is the very first one.

“How is this possible?” you ask.  The very first day of class is the most important because this is the day that they hand out your syllabus.  You may not appreciate this yet, but the syllabus is the most important piece of paper you will receive this semester.

You can use your syllabus to anticipate your workload and plan your study sessions ahead of time.  This way, you can ensure that your schedule stays balanced and avoid stress.

What Is a Syllabus?

Your syllabus tells you everything you need to know about the class.  It describes how your mark is broken down, the weight of each assignment, how many tests and exams you can expect, and the worth of each of them.  The syllabus even tells you if you will be expected to do labs or tutorials and how they will reflect on your final mark.

It essentially outlines the curriculum for the class for you.  Because you can now see a snapshot of everything you need to learn, along with how you will be marked, you can make a plan to excel.  You know precisely what the professor will teach and assign, so you can be ready.

Use your syllabus to rocket ahead of the class.  This will give you all the time you need to study and strategize how to get the mark you want.  Avoiding surprises like these will put you in the best position to ace the class.

Why Is Your Syllabus Important?

Your syllabus is important because it tells you a few critical things:

1. How will you be graded?

2. What will you be graded on?

3. What will you cover in the class?

4. How can you get help?

5. What resources are available to you.

Depending on the professor, some syllabi will be more in-depth than others, but they should all cover these points.

You can use your syllabus to make study guides to help make sure you cover everything in class.  Creating a solid study strategy before you sit down for each session will save you time and help ensure you cover all the material.

It also helps you to vary your study activities, so you are not always doing the same things.  This way, you can make sure you change how you study each concept, so you take in the information differently.  This helps make more memory cues and mental associations to fall back on during test time.

You can download my free printable study guide template if you need it.  It has plenty of templates and activity trackers to plan each study session for the entire semester.

How To Use Your Syllabus Effectively to Get the Amazing Grades You Want!

Usually, most of your first class is dedicated to going over your syllabus.  Many students will skip this class, but that would be a mistake.  There is a reason why the professor spends more time on this one document than they will on many concepts.

This paper will guide everything you do for the next several months.  Nearly any question about the class can be answered by simply reviewing it.  This piece is a must-read.”

However, most students don’t review it, which is why the first class is spent discussing it.  The information in your syllabus is critical, and I will show you how to wield this power for good!

You can use your syllabus to set your goal for the semester.

Upon first glance at the syllabus, you may think that the most important information it contains is how your final mark will be broken down.  This is often the first section students search for, and they are right to do so.

Head to the section where they break down the grading scheme and set your goal.  Ask yourself the following questions:

1. What grade do you really want?

2. What marks have you received in similar classes?

3. What grade do you think you can realistically obtain?

4. How hard are you willing to work for it?

Set your goal for the semester.  First, silently to yourself, but then write it down and make the commitment.  Add this to your goals list and plan tonight to create a study strategy to help you make this happen.

If you don’t know how to do this, join our weekly and monthly goal-setting live streams for support.  We have a great community and work together towards setting goals and holding each other accountable.

Your syllabus will also describe how your mark is broken down.

Once you have set your goal for the semester, it’s time to strategize how to achieve it.  Your syllabus should also list the components of your final grade and their worth.  Knowing how your mark will be broken down is essential for several reasons. 

On the first day of class, you will be able to anticipate your workload as the semester progresses.  Using this outline, you can create a plan to balance the course material between your classes and set aside time to work on each assignment.  This means you won’t have to pull all-nighters or cram for tests if you follow your plan.

Print off your syllabus and check out our guide to creating a semester study plan.  You will learn how to balance your workload and create a study strategy for the semester.  This guide is broken down into simple steps, so it’s super easy to follow.

Use your syllabus to anticipate the workload for each of your classes.

Adding assignment due dates and exams to your agenda allows you to anticipate how much coursework you will be expected to complete.  After receiving the syllabus for each class, you should immediately add these dates to your planner.  This will give you an idea of how to balance your time as each of these dates approaches. 

If you have several assignments with due dates that cluster together or projects that are due near exams, it’s best to be able to anticipate that crunch now.

This forward-thinking will help you to better manage your time.  You can then plan to better spend the weeks leading up to these dates.  Knowing you must study thoroughly in advance will relieve pressure around these busy times.

I like to add a warning note about a week or two before the due date, depending on how big the project is.  I do this in my planner, but I will sometimes add an alert in my Google Calendar.  This way, I don’t have to worry about overlooking anything.  It will be right in my face.

Note the weight of each assignment and plan your time accordingly.

Knowing how each assignment for every class is weighted toward your final mark will help you to judge its importance and set its priority.  There may be assignments that you have to do early or spend less time and energy on.  Getting this information on the first day of class can be extremely helpful.

Not every assignment is made equal.  There will be times when you simply cannot give everything your all.  When considering how much effort you will put into a project, when you are already overburdened, consider how much it is worth.

Is an assignment worth 2% of your mark worth pulling an all-nighter?  Especially if you have an exam the next day.  Alternatively, if there is an assignment worth 20%, you might want to put a little extra care into it.

How important are the exams?

Sometimes classes are marked solely on their mid-term and final exams.  These classes seem like blessings at first, but just know that this means there is zero room for error.  You will forget a tonne of information between the first and final days.  Do not let your guard down or your study habits falter.

You should still study for this class every day as if the exam is just around the corner.  There is no way to make up any marks lost.  Every question on these tests counts.  It’s easy to skip a few days when the exam seems far off, but this can quickly become a habit.

Try to make time in your week to study these classes, even if no test is scheduled.  It is much easier to review a little bit each day than cram.  Try to spread out that crunch session over the whole semester.

How do labs and tutorials impact your mark?

When taking labs and tutorials, it’s often taken for granted that they can significantly impact your mark.  Usually, you don’t receive a separate grade for them.  Your efforts during the lab are often absorbed into one larger mark for the entire class. 

Despite being expected to perform and complete weekly tasks and assignments, you might feel like there is little to show for it.  Unfortunately, in most classes, failing to pass the lab exams will result in a failed course grade.  Even if you get 100% on the final exam, the lab can still hinder your advancement.

This information will all be outlined in your syllabus.  There should be clearly defined parameters for your minimum passable mark in the lab and the minimum attendance.

Many labs are mandatory, and even missing a single day can result in failure.  If this is the case, you will need to know well ahead of time in case an emergency or illness comes up.  Making up the lab may not be as easy as you might anticipate.

Fortunately, much of the material you learn in these tutorials will support what you cover in class.  However, it will be from a much different perspective.  At least once a week, analyze how your lab unit reflects on and connects to the class material.  Make sure to elaborate in your notes so you can put it into words at exam time.

Use the outline of the course material to plan your study sessions and get ahead!

Finally, we get to the most important function of your syllabus.  While reading over it, you will notice a list and a possible breakdown of topics.  Some especially organized professors may also lay out the timeline for each concept.

This list is crucial for the savvy student.  If you are really dedicated to getting the best mark possible, you will use this as a guide to track and anticipate progress.  You can do this at the beginning of the semester to fast-track your learning and get ahead.

First, use this list to create a tracker.  Here you can record everything you will cover in class, everything you want to research on your own, and even note the concepts you find easy or struggle with. 

This will allow you to better schedule what content you must study leading up to the exam.  Having a list of all the topics, how much effort you must put into studying, and how difficult you found the concept will make your revision planning easier.  You can even get a head start and create templates for your study sessions ahead of time.

The most natural use is, of course, tracking along with your syllabus.  This will give you a good idea of what you can expect to cover in class.  How you proceed through each lesson, week by week, and what you will be learning is easily anticipated by referencing the syllabus.  You can then read the chapter before class, so you are primed on the material. 

If you miss a specific lecture, it will also give you a solid idea of where to find the content you missed.  Noticing trends in the syllabus breakdown can also provide insight into a concept’s importance.  If you see that much of your lecture time has been devoted to one particular topic, it’s usually fair to assume that it is an important one.

In university, class time is precious, and lessons move fast.

With lecture time at a premium, spending multiple lessons on a single idea means something in itself.  The professor rarely spends an entire class on one concept, let alone several.  If you are spending a lot of time on a topic, it is likely very important.

Take special note of how much time is dedicated to each part of the outline.  Longer sections are likely going to be more important.   Make sure to get a jump on these early.

Use your syllabus to help organize your study material.

Your syllabus can help you to decide the best way to take and organize your notes.  Do you want to take them, class by class?  Break them down into concepts?  Do you want to break them down week by week?

The outline on your syllabus will show you how the professor organizes the information.  Often, it’s easier to arrange your notes in the same way.  Having a distinct start and end to your notes is helpful when studying.  It tells you where information goes and what concepts are related to it.

It also helps you to study for exams because the related material will be linked.  If the instructor organizes the syllabus by chapter, you might want to structure your class notes like those from the textbook.

If your instructor jumps around with no discernable pattern, you may want to structure your notes by date.  Lecture styles are unique to the professor; sometimes, you have to go with the flow.

Use your syllabus to take the wheel and study ahead of your professor.

For the especially eager student who really wants to get the most out of their course, use the syllabus to get ahead of the instructor. 

To get every last drop of information out of your lectures, read ahead of the professor.  Reading your textbook before class gives you a general understanding of the upcoming concepts.  This way, while in class, you can focus on the fine details.  If you read ahead, you will already know what part of the information you are struggling with.  This will allow you to ask the professor to clarify questions in real time.

Using lecture time to refine your knowledge, rather than learning new topics, is how to extract the most benefit.  Now, you are not learning these concepts for the first time.  You already know them.  You have a generalized understanding of what you need to know.  What the professor is doing is filling in the details.

5 Tips for Getting Amazing Grades

Getting excellent grades does not happen by accident.  Students need to make a deliberate plan and follow it to get the marks they want.  This is the only way to reliably bring home exceptional grades.

Top students have a few secrets, and I will share them with you now.

1. Set a goal for the grade you want and remind yourself of it every day.

2. Do at least one task each day to bring you closer to that goal.

3. Create a study plan and stick to it.

4. Read the chapter before you arrive to class.

5. Give every single assignment your best shot, and don’t talk yourself out of handing it in.

Start with these five tips, and you will soon see improvements in your grades.  You may also notice a boost in your self-esteem.  This is because progress often elevates motivation.

Use the Manifesting Workbook to Transform Your Study Habits

Embracing the art of manifesting isn’t just about lofty dreams and hopes; it’s about turning those dreams into a reality by setting clear goals and putting in the work to achieve them. The How to Manifest Good Grades Workbook can be your guide on this journey.

• Set Clear Intentions: Start by defining what you want to achieve this semester. Write down specific, measurable goals in your workbook that align with your syllabus.

• Create a Manifesting Plan: Use the templates to outline a realistic action plan that aligns with your syllabus and course goals. Break down your targets into smaller, actionable steps that keep you motivated.

• Stay Accountable: Regularly revisit your workbook to track your progress and adjust your plan as needed. The act of writing down your successes and challenges will keep you motivated and help you stay on course.

• Positive Affirmations: Infuse your study sessions with positivity using the workbook’s affirmations. This is your space to nurture a growth mindset that will propel you forward, even on the tough days.

• Reflect and Adjust: At the end of each week or month, take a moment to reflect on your progress. Are you on track to reach your goals? If not, use the workbook to fine-tune your strategies.

The How to Manifest Good Grades Workbook isn’t just about wishful thinking; it’s a practical guide to making things happen. By following its steps, you’ll build a solid foundation for manifesting the academic success you desire. All you need is a bit of focus, dedication, and the willingness to see the process through.

Make the most of your syllabus and the manifesting workbook to transform how you approach studying. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes!

Using your syllabus as a cheat code can help make the semester much more manageable.  It can help you to plan out your workload, anticipate each lesson, and get ahead of the professor.  This will lower stress and help make student life a little more manageable.

If you want to use your syllabus to finally get the amazing grades you want, pick up this study guide template. Here you can organize your study plans and map out your strategy for the entire semester. It’s free, and you can download it here.

I would like to be transparent so that there are no misunderstandings. As an affiliate, I may earn a small commission from any products linked in this post. This is not a sponsored post, and I was not asked to recommend these products. These are products that I genuinely love and want to share with my audience.