Select courses that align more with your academic strengths, and acquire the habits and strategies that will help you prioritize your studies. Work out a five-year plan and connect it to getting your degree. Then, set out goals for each semester that link into your longer-term goals. Goal-setting is a sure way to build confidence and act as a reminder that an improved GPA is more likely to get you to the life you want to lead.
Be disciplined. Attending classes and being on time will help improve your GPA. Take good notes during class as this will help you to focus your attention and ignore distractions. Your notes should be logically organized with headings and marked with the date. Highlight any information that the professor says is important or may be included on a test. This way, you can see the main points covered for each class and more easily review for tests and assignments.
Notice the serious students in your classes and work on developing a study partnership with at least one of them. Once you have a study partner, you will have the opportunity to share class notes, discuss concepts, and encourage one another to persist and do well. Finding a mentor is another way to maintain interest and stay motivated to improve you GPA. A senior student who is doing well, or a graduate assistant for the classes you are taking all have the potential to be good mentors. Set up regular monthly meetings with your mentor, review your progress toward making your GPA goal and discuss strategies to overcome obstacles that may arise.
Be organized and remain aware that weekly and daily plans are most likely to be derailed by the temptation of distractions. Keep a monthly calendar for the semester. Refer to the syllabus for each class, note the important due dates for assignments, tests and other course work. Color-coding is a good way to distinguish each class. Refer to the calendar on a daily basis, and be disciplined about sticking to your plans.
Establish contact with professors and teaching assistants for courses. Students find that this gives them added support and often leads to unanticipated and deeper understanding of course material.