Hey all, classes start back up next week :cry: and I'm trying to get some things in order. So I have a question for those who might know: is the best way to raise my GPA to retake past classes in which I recieved a "C" grade? My current GPA is currently 2.9, but of course most graduate schools require a GPA of 3.0 for enrollment and Ideally I'd like to be above that. Any insight or other ways for improvement would be greatly appreciated!

Depends, do you mean core GPA, or total GPA?
If total, just take fluff classes like Bowling or Weightlifting for easy A's.
If you mean core classes, yeah, retake the low grades and hope you do better the next time around.

Problem with that is that bowling and such are pass/fail classes which I think means I don't get a letter grade for them. Think I will have to just retake a few and see where that puts me.

Bowling Class!? i wish! i remember that in senior year of high school. it was a blast!

Oh yeah, our student union building has about 5 lanes, and intrumural 1 credit classes.

Just study hard, man.

Bowling class, I used to be in one my senior year too. That class was the sh*t.

In that case, find the easiest 100 level courses that give letter grades and take them. The idea is the same, you find the easiest excuse for a class that you *KNOW* you can sleep through and get an A, and take it.

I find the best way is to take maybe only two classes per semester, for a while....that way, you can focus all your attention on just those classes, ensuring more content absorption and less burn-out.

You'll want to bowl. Or lift weights. Or sing in a choir. Or whatever makes you happy.

You also need to find how you learn best. For me, it's teaching people. So I hosted study sessions, making up handouts and teaching the material to my classmates. We all benefited--they got review and I got reinforcement. Your classmates will love you for this and you will benefit just as much if not more than them...especially if you have to teach two sessions like I did.

Do they allow you to replace your grades if you retake the class? If so, I would go with that. Otherwise re-taking classes you did poorly in would be a waste unless there was another reason you didn't do well. Pick subjects you're good at or were easy classes. Maybe a health class since gym is pass/fail? Definitely ask around for easy professor/class suggestions.

Yes. I have not seen a college that doesn't let you retake a class to try and get a better grade in it. Although they typically limit you to so many retakes (my college limited us to 5 retakes for the entire degree, for example).

I'm pretty sure we don't. Not unless you didn't pass/meet requirements. You can take the class again, but it won't replace your first grade.

All of the suggestions above are good. I also might suggest that if you are struggling in a class (a math class, etc.) then you could go to a tutor (if you have not tried that already). Tutors are a great resource of help sometimes. I should know because I am a math tutor, and there was once this girl who failed her Statistics class. She had to take it over the next semester, and she came to me and the other tutors often so that we could help her - and she passed!

Also, try taking classes whose subjects you are good at. For me, that would be English or Math. Also, when you are reading your textbook for a particular class, try to put notes in the margins about the chapter to summarize important points. I found out that this saves a lot of study time later and helps me remember things better. Good luck with your studies!