life as poems 'n letters

1. Don’t Skip Classes—Unless You’re Fine Sacrificing Your Grades

We’ve all heard the legendary stories about Bill Gates at Harvard—how he realized he wasn’t the smartest in the room anymore, so he decided to be the student who never showed up to class, only turning up for exams. Sounds like the ultimate flex, right? But before you start skipping classes thinking you’re the next Gates, remember this: not all of us are studying at Harvard, and not all of us can afford to miss out on attendance points.

I didn’t know about Bill Gates’ story until our semester break, and I realized I was doing the same thing—skipping classes because I didn’t think they were worth my time. The only difference? My university is far from being Harvard. Here, attendance can significantly impact your grades.

Most of my grades reflect my attendance and punctuality. Sometimes, my reasons for missing class were totally justified (at least to me). I live far from campus, and occasionally, I only had one class to attend that day. Plus, if I thought I wouldn’t learn anything new, I wouldn’t bother showing up (because who likes wasting time?). And don’t even get me started on irrelevant lessons. Why are we learning about law in a finance course? Why are we reviewing basic investment principles when we should be diving into advanced investment management? 80% of my absences were because of this nonsense.

I’m not clueless about what’s happening in my classes. I always read ahead—going through the course curriculum, skimming related books, and understanding how the subject applies in the real world. But here’s the kicker: if you have perfect attendance, you get extra credit that boosts your GPA. That’s a whole 10% of your grade just for showing up! And when professors calculate grades based mostly on attendance, quizzes, and a couple of exams, that attendance can make up a hefty 25%. Missing out on this means your grades might take a hit, like mine did.

So, do you blame me for not going to class and why some of my grades tanked? Lesson learned, though—I’ll make an effort to attend more classes. I’ll try, at least. But if I find myself in another pointless lecture, well, I might just revert to my old ways.

2. Build Your Discipline Muscle

Discipline isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you build every day. Take your wake-up time, for example. If you’re up at 6 AM on weekdays but sleep in until 10 AM on weekends, try getting up at 7 AM instead. You’ll gain a few extra hours for productive weekend activities—spending time with family, working on assignments, exercising, reading (I can finish a novel in three to four hours), or even learning a new language. This isn’t just about killing time; it’s about maximizing it.

Or maybe it’s about cutting down on Facebook time. Trust me, the less time you spend scrolling, the more you’ll get done. Reducing distractions helps you focus on what really matters, whether that’s your studies, personal projects, or simply enjoying life without the digital noise.

3. Become a Teacher to Learn Better

Never underestimate the power of teaching. When someone asks for help, take the opportunity to explain the concept to them. This method worked wonders for me and my close group of friends. We all learned different things and then checked each other’s understanding, filling in the gaps as needed. Teaching forces you to clarify your thoughts and ensures you really understand the material.

Plus, it’s a great way to receive constructive criticism. If you’re explaining something and get a few confused looks or challenging questions, it’s a sign there might be gaps in your own knowledge. Find someone who already knows the material and “teach” it to them. They can point out what you missed or misunderstood, and you’ll be better prepared for the test.

4. Don’t Just Cram for Tests—Learn the Material

Sure, a little last-minute review is fine, especially for memorization-heavy subjects. But if you want to ace your exams, focus on truly understanding the concepts throughout the term. Consistent study habits will make finals week the easiest part of your semester. Instead of cramming in new information, you’ll simply be reviewing what you already know, which is a far less stressful way to prepare.

5. Goals Are Useless Without a Plan—and the Will to Stick to It

My high school teacher once told me, “If you have a goal, write it down.” It’s solid advice, but writing down a goal isn’t enough—you need a plan and the discipline to stick to it. I’ve had plenty of goals, but without a clear plan, they often get lost in the chaos of daily life.

After you’ve written your goals, make a detailed plan of action and start working on it. But here’s the catch: you also need motivation and inspiration to keep going. Without those, even the best-laid plans can fall apart. Find what inspires you and motivates you, whether it’s the desire to learn, improve, or achieve something great. It’s like losing weight; you need both the inspiration to start and the motivation to keep going. Trust me, it makes all the difference.

Rona D.