How to Raise your GPA: College Essay Editing

Let's Get This Party Started Right ...

Howdy Ho. Glad to be back, this time with another "How to Raise Your GPA" article focusing on College Essay Editing. If there is one thing worse than writing an essay, it's the horrible process we all like to call editing. Going back through your words, after spending so much time on just creating them, is like pulling out teeth without the nova caine, or something like that.

As an English major, I understand the importance of a good essay. What I didn't used to know is that editing and revising, spending the time to go over your work, is 70% of the process. It is almost more important than the creation itself (although you need the first draft to be able to come up with a second).

Any, here is a list of tips to make the revision process easier. I will, in the next few months, provide more articles on writing and getting good grades. If you're interested, I suggest subscribing to my HubPages article feed right here, or you can check out all my other articles here, or you can follow me by clicking on that little thing over there to the right that says "follow".

In addition, make sure to check out the resources and links below. There are great sites that help analyze your essay, offer more detailed explanations of comma splices, and of course, my recommended book by Scott Young on how to Learn More, Study Less .

As always, I love comments and questions, so don't be afraid to ask.

Head on over to "How to Raise your GPA:  College Essay Editing" for the full article and all the great tips.

For more on raising your gpa, check out my article series on How to Raise Your GPA

How to Raise Your GPA: The Comma is Cool

The Comma Is Cool

The series continues. Yep, it is time for another "How to Raise Your GPA" article (which, by the way, I am having a blast writing). This time we take on the elusive and very, very scary COMMA. Those little rugrats that, in my opinion, seperate the wheat from the chaff. So, sit back, and enjoy. Also, make sure to check out the other Raise your GPA articles by click here.

Now, I know what you're thinking - I absolutely hate the rules, the silly songs, and most importantly, I am afraid of the semi colon. Don't worry. These tips are easy, common sense, and you already know them, you just may not know how to state it in writing.

Let's go on with that a bit. Most educated people, especially those who read, understand the conventions of English. Although you may not know what a gerund is (a form of a verb that ends in -ing and operates as a noun in a sentence, as in "Thinking can be painful), it doesn't matter. You know how to use them properly, and that's the only thing that really counts.

How does the Comma Increase My GPA

You may be asking how this applies to a better GPA. First off, it will increase your grades on written assignments. Although the rubric probably doesn't have a "comma points" section, proper use of punctuation will increase the sophistication of your sentences, and your overall prose style. Second, it leaves a good impression on your professor (or teacher or graduate assistant). If those who are doing the grading realize you're knowledgeable of conventional grammar rules, you'll easily stand out amongst most other students.

Remember, the art of writing is a constant process, so if you don't get these tips immediately, don't worry. Getting good at anything comes with practice, and in this case, with writing a ton of essays. I actually completed 21 essays last semester. I don't know what I was thinking, but I did.

Good luck.

For the entire article, including all the tips, head on over to "How to Raise Your GPA: The Comma is Cool"

And for more on raising your GPA, head on over to "Raise Your GPA Article Series"

How to Write an Essay in MLA Format

A Little Bit to Begin With ...

In my experience college professors, high school teachers, and the like, enjoy a well written essay, with quotations, and proper citations.  You shouldn’t be afraid of essays – they are your friend, your confidant, and most importantly, your key to good grades. 

Learning how to write an essay in MLA format is an important part of college success.  The skills you learn in basic composition courses will benefit you throughout your college years, especially if you are majoring in a humanities field, or if you plan on attending Graduate school or education beyond your bachelor’s degree. 

Keep in mind, this article is just the tip of the MLA iceberg – to truly get a grasp on how to use MLA you will need to practice, as in writing a lot of papers, and explore other sources.  At the end of this article are great links to great places around the world wide web.  You should also consider picking up some of the books and software that I have sprinkled in this article.

To see more tips on MLA Writing, click on "How to Write an Essay in MLA Format"

And to read more on getting better grades, click on "How to Raise your GPA" Article series

How to Raise Your GPA: Three Note Taking Strategies

How to Raise Your GPA with 3 Note-Taking Strategies

So, in my opinion, the real key to learning, whether in school or for your own edification, is to find various systems that work, and then use them.  After many years in college, and a variety of experiments on different ways to learn, I have found a few things to share and advocate.  I plan on writing a whole series of hubs on better study techniques, and how to raise your GPA, so if you're interested, please click on follow me.  And, as always, I love comments and fan mail, so don't hesitate to hit me up.

In this article I have included three of the methods I use on a daily basis (at least when I'm attending school).  Make sure to check out the various links and resources I have included, as well as the book Learn More, Study Less, by Scott Young.  I purchased the book when it first came out and find it a great way to get started on increasing your GPA, in college or high school.

See all 5 photos

The Cornell Method

Quite possibly my favorite method of notes, especially in classes that are intensive on details, dates, etc. I typically use this method in history courses that are heavy on information. The idea is that the paper has three sections - the notes section, a "cue" section, and then a summary section. You can see an example to the right of the this blurb. You can tailor any of the steps to suit your needs, but typically, this is how to use the Cornell Method:

• Notes section: take your typical notes here. Attempt not to take them down verbatim, but allow yourself to synthesize the information - to basically create your own words from what you're learning.
• Cue section: This is basically the margin. You place cue words that give you a bit of understanding as to what is in the notes section. I also add questions to this side, with the answer basically being in the notes section.
• Summary: At the end of each page, write a three sentence summary. It is key to summarize in your own words. It allows you to create your own words, and have your own level of understanding.

Tips

• Cover up the "notes" side. Use the cue to asks questions, see if you can answer them, and check your answers
• Commit to review the summary section every day. You will become very much aware of the material (remember, this isn't your only review of notes, just something in addition to your exam prep strategies)

Links / Resources

• PDF Example with Notes on How to Use this Method HERE
• Custom Cornell Note Generator HERE
• Great Article from LifeHacker.com on this Method HERE

Read the FULL ARTICLE -  "How to Raise Your GPA:  Three Note Taking Strategies" 

Read other HOW TO RAISE YOUR GPA articles

Sell Your College Textbooks Online

Sell Some Books, Make Some Cash

Yep. It’s that time again. Students are finding quarters under the futon, taking back all those bottles from the closet, and of course, selling back their books. Now the traditional way to do this would be to:

1. Walk slowly, almost defeated, to the campus book store

2. Hand them your books

3. Get offered $3 on your $80 Biology text OR

4. Hear those horrible words “we’re not buying this back right now”

I know. It is one of the saddest things in the world, but that’s how it goes. In my personal experience, from this morning actually, I refused to offer my books to the bookstore and went searching for online gold. Here’s what I’ve found.

NOTE: I offer up a few things to assist you in your decisions. First, I list what they offered on a “test” textbook, in this case Human Genetics by Ricki Lewis (ISBN: 978-0073525273). Second, I will let you know their reliability and trustworthiness best on their Better Business Bureau (bbb.org). Finally, I will offer up their timeline for payment, method of that payment, and whether or not shipping is free. Hope you enjoy.

NOTE NOTE: All these companies require the book to be in good condition, allowing for highlights and margin notes, but not missing pages or beat up covers. I suggest you check their requirements before sending you books in. For the most part, the company will not send your book back to you if it is deficient in any way.

View "Sell You Textbooks Online" for a complete list of tips, links, and tricks.

How to Buy Textbooks for College

College Text Book Time

It’s that time again. Time for textbookbuying, and in some cases, time to shell out some big bucks, making it hard to be that sad, sad creature we all call a college student. But Wait! Don’t despair! I am here! (Sorry, had to, as I am both a poet and lover of Superheroes). 

Quick Fact: The average student textbook, based on a review of major publishers, is $131.44. Yuck!

Anyway, while at community college, I used to shell out full price, at the student bookstore, for new textbooks. My financial aid, including grants and loans, easily covered the costs for tuition and books, and I didn’t feel I needed to be that savvy. Then something happened. I don’t exactly know what, but I think it was the need to buy a new car. Now my income and expenses took on a whole new meaning, and I needed to shave as much as possible. So, I started doing research. I am happy to admit that I’ve been “off” the new books for years, and haven’t had one relapse. All it takes is a little planning, a little cash before financial aid rolls in, and a little bit of faith in the internet. 

Most of the tips below are from real experience, and not just regurgitated facts from the internet. In the spirit of full disclosure, I’ll make it clear what sites I’ve had success or problems with, as well as resources I have yet to try, but feel they deserve a mention.

Have fun and good luck with school this year.

Facts that may make you cringe …

· Most edition changes are not substantial, but allow for the publisher to charge more for the text book

· The bundling of CD-ROMs and other media allow the publisher to charge a lot more for the book (and most likely you don’t need that baloney for your class anyway). PERSONAL NOTE: I have taken only once course where I needed the extra CD’s and junk – Spanish.

· Not all professor’s are aware of what a text book costs, nor do they make the final decision in what books are required for the program

· Textbooks are more expensive than other books to produce. The added pictures, color pages, detailed facts, etc., cost cash to make.

· Older editions are always cheaper than the new ones, and most of the time, at least in my experience; the older edition is just as fine. A TIP: most of the time your school’s library will have some of your textbooks on reserve. If your older edition is missing an article, or devastingly important graph, you can always check it out at the library.

(Much of the above information came from an article by Charlotte Allen ofMindingTheCampus.com. The original article is posted HERE. )

View "How to Buy Cheap Textbooks for College" including sites to save you some hard earned (or slightly stolen) cash!