GPA makes comeback with new semester

The time to pick up grade point averages that were dropped last semester and get serious about school is now.

However, many students have a problem when they start great at the beginning of the semester and then fall by the wasteside.

“To be a student means to study,” said Rena Stallworth Computer/Math Lab coordinator for the Math department. “If you study outside of class then you have already won half of the battle.”

Many students do not understand the importance of studying material immediately after it’s given to them.

“I have to admit that when I first got to college I was so caught up in the freedom that I did not study like I should have,” stated Tamara Platt, 19, a freshman graphic design student from Bradenton.

“As a result, my grades suffered. However, I think I have gotten the hang of things now and I plan to do a lot better this semester.”

Many students do not have a game plan for starting their semester successfully.

“I think perfect planning prevents poor performance,” said Darius Hodge, 21, senior computer information systems student from Ellicott City, Md.

Other components to starting the semester off right are buying your textbooks as soon as possible so that you can start reading ahead and becoming familiar with the material.

Stallworth also said students need to go to class and to sit in the front.

“It is sometimes easier to sit in the back of the classroom and fall asleep but when you sit in the front you pay closer attention and are more alert,” said Tawanda Melvin, 21,junior elementary education student from Fort. Lauderdale.

Stallworth also emphasized the need to read class syllabi, and to become aquainted with professors.

It is also important to take advantage of all the academic tools offered on campus such as the math lab and writing center.

“This summer I took advantage of the math lab and it helped me to understand the material we were going over in class a lot better,” Platt said.

“The main goal of the writing center is to teach students how to write,” Kenya M. Thompkins, director of the writing for the English department, said.

Thompkins added that although students can come to get their work reviewed, the center does not proofread.

In addition to studying and going to labs, there are other things that can help to improve ones semester.

“In order to have a great semester it helps when students have balance in their lives,” Dr. Sharon Ames- Dennard, director of Center for Human Development for the division of Student Affairs said.

Dennard stressed the importance of routine exercise, even if it is just parking farther away from the grocery store and walking the extra distance.

In addition, people should have a diet that consists of more than starches and junk food.

“I think that it is important to exercise and eat right, however it is extremely hard to do with my busy schedule,” Platt said.

“The bottom line is that in order to have a great semester you have to have a great attitude, because attitude is 50% of the battle,” Stallworth said.

The Math lab is located in the Jackson Davis Hall in Room 105 and the Writing Center is located in Tucker hall Room 100. Both facilities are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.