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The Importance of Academic Performance on Chapter Success. Written by: John Ziegler, LA Tech ’01. Better Grades = Better Chapters. Brothers with better grades have lower balances than those with lower grades.
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The Importance of Academic Performance on Chapter Success Written by: John Ziegler, LA Tech ’01
Better Grades = Better Chapters • Brothers with better grades have lower balances than those with lower grades. • The lower 1/3 of brothers in GPA are more indebted to the chapter than the 2/3 with higher GPAs. • Chapter officers usually make high grades. • A positive correlation exists between large chapters and high GPAs. • Bigger, more successful chapters have better grades than smaller chapters. • Good academics = less flunk-outs = more members • A strong chapter GPA is a huge rush/recruitment tool; a great sale to uneasy parents.
Roadblocks to Better Grades • Making good grades is all about successful time management. • Here are the three most common scenarios for members that end up resulting in lower grades: • The PCP: party, chicks, and Playstation 2 • Drinking/Partying: you can all pinpoint the guy in your chapter that goes out six nights a week and always misses class. He’d go out on Sunday too if the bars weren’t closed. • Girl crazy: the guy that is up his girlfriends butt 24/7; the only time you see him is with her; you become convinced that they are joined at the hip; she becomes a priority above school. • Video game addict: the guy that will play “Final Fantasy 8” for 36 hours without sleep having gone through 4 pots of coffee and a carton of Camel Lights; he seems unaware that he has missed two days of class and an exam.
Improving Chapter GPA(what you can do) • PLEDGE PEOPLE WHO ARE DISCIPLINED!!!! • High School GPA and activities are strong indicators of how a man will do academically in college • Give incentives for brothers to make exemplary GPAs: • Recognition plaques, academic teams with prizes to the winning team. Be creative • Keep brothers accountable • Set standards for scholastic performance and take measures to encourage members that underachieve. • Social probation for two bad semesters/quarters in a row. • Mandatory study hours for Associate Members and Actives not meeting minimum grade criteria.
Step 1 • Never miss class! Never! • 80% of success in life comes through just showing up. • This is blatantly obvious, but this is the #1 reason that students make bad grades (especially freshmen) • If you attend every class and somewhat pay attention, a “C” is the lowest possible grade you should make. • The professor/instructor notices who comes to class and is more likely to give you the benefit of the doubt when it comes to grading.
Step 2 • Always sit in the front or second row of class. • It is easier to stay focused on the lecture. • It has been proven that people who sit in the first two rows of class make better grades than others.
Step 3 • Review your notes immediately after class and immediately before class. • Memorization and retention come through reading and re-reading. Reading your notes after every class will shorten your study time for exams tremendously. • Reviewing your notes before class will refresh your memory of the material; you can also help the professor remember where he/she left off. • Combine this with the fact that you sit in the front and you will score some major points with your professor. • I know your thinking, “Isn’t this sucking up?” Yes, and it works!
Step 4 • Visit your professor outside of class during office hours. • This will get your professor in your corner even more and help if you have a borderline grade situation. • You’ll be amazed at how much information you can get out of your professor if you make the effort to see him/her on your time. The professor will think that you’re interested in the class and many times will map out test formats.
Step 5 • Study with note cards • Making note cards takes time but forces you to reread and rewrite your notes another time which helps retention. • When studying, flip through the note cards and only take one out when you know it “cold”. Add new ones as new material is covered. • For a comprehensive final, start with all the cards from the semester.
Step 6 • If an option exists to do extra credit work, DO IT! • Extra credit work takes time but is essentially a gift from your professor. • Professors know that the dedicated students will do the extra credit to be on the safe side. • Your professor will give you the benefit of the doubt again if you’ve attempted extra credit work.
The key to academic success both on an individual and chapter level comes from good time management. Remember that academic performance is vital to chapter success. Encourage those brothers who aren’t making good grades and share this information with them. Your chapter DOES impact the grades of its members!
