The dust has settled on the Fall semester, and those final grades are officially in the books, giving you an updated Grade Point Average (GPA). For some, it’s a moment of celebration; for others, it’s a wake-up call. Whether you missed your goal by a fraction or had a semester you’d rather forget, here is the good news: Winter break is the perfect time for a reset, enabling you to strategize about raising your GPA.

Improving your GPA isn’t just about “working harder”—it’s about working smarter and understanding how the system works. Let’s break down the strategies to help you crush the next term.

The Foundation: Mastering the “Soft Skills”

Before you can master Calculus or Literature, you have to master your environment. Often, a low GPA isn’t about lack of intelligence; it’s about a leak in your system. Successful students employ specific strategies to help them achieve the academic outcomes they are seeking. And you can too! It all comes down to organization, time management, preparation, attention, motivation, and persistence. These skills are key to your success in school, and to your future success in your career.

Audit Your Time

Use a planner or digital calendar to map out every deadline. Treat your study time like an immovable doctor’s appointment. One of the key factors in raising your GPA is organization and time management. Keeping track of your homework deadlines is critical for your success.

The Physical Advantage

You can’t focus if you’re running on fumes. Prioritize 7–8 hours of sleep and a healthy breakfast. Brain fog is the enemy of the “A.” By prioritizing sleep and fueling yourself for the day with breakfast, you’ll be on your way to raising your GPA!

Active Notetaking

Stop transcribing lectures word-for-word. Use the Cornell Method to engage with the material as you hear it.

The “No-Zero” Policy

The fastest way to sink your grade in a class is earning a zero simply because you didn’t submit an assignment on time. Commit to submitting every assignment on time to avoid getting missing out on valuable points. Even a partial credit for an incomplete assignment is better than no credit at all. One of the easiest and most reliable ways of raising your GPA is just making sure you turn your assignments in on time.

Play the “GPA Game”: Weighted vs. Unweighted

If you want to move the needle on your GPA significantly, you’ll need to do more than just get better grades going forward. You’ll need to employ strategies that boost your weighted GPA. Your grade point average is calculated on two scales – your unweighted GPA and your weighted GPA. Colleges look at both when making their admission decisions.

How is Your GPA Calculated?

To calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA), your grades are converted to points and then your points are multiplied by the number of credits associated with each class. Then, the resulting total is divided by the total number of credits completed.

Unweighted GPA

Your unweighted GPA is measured on a standard 4.0 scale, where your grades are assigned these point values: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1 and F=0.

Weighted GPA

Your weighted GPA is scaled to account for academic rigor. Most schools use a 5.0 scale for your weighted GPA, granting an extra point for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or college classes via dual enrollment or concurrent enrollment. Some schools also grant either an extra point or a partial point for Honors classes. As such, if you have completed any AP, IB, dual enrollment / concurrent enrollment or Honors courses and earned A’s in these classes, your weighted GPA could potentially be higher than a 4.0.

Why Colleges Care

Admissions officers look at your weighted GPA to see if you challenged yourself. A 3.5 unweighted GPA in a schedule packed with AP courses often signifies more “academic grit” than a 4.0 in easier classes.

How to get a “Weighted GPA Bump”

If your GPA is lower than you would like, you can improve it by successfully completing classes that will earn you extra points on the weighted GPA scale.

Level Up

Talk to your counselor about moving to Honors or AP sections in your strongest subjects. Make sure you work hard to perform your best in these classes to have the best advantage and boost your weighted GPA.

Dual Enrollment

Take one or more community college courses while in high school to both boost your weighted high school GPA and earn college credit that you can apply to your future college degree!

You Don’t Have to Go It Alone

Success in school is a team sport.

Office Hours

Attending your teacher’s office hours early in the term shows you care. It can be the difference-maker when a teacher is deciding whether to round up an 89.4% to an “A.” On top of that, by meeting with your teacher, you’ll be able to ask for help with concepts that are challenging, and can get tips to help you prepare for exams.

Tutoring

Whether through your school or an outside program, a second explanation of a concept can make it “click” in half the time.

The Invisible Load: Mental Health & Life Stressors

Sometimes, your GPA drops not because you’ve lost your drive, but because your “mental bandwidth” is being consumed by things happening outside the classroom. It is incredibly difficult to focus on a chemistry lab when your personal life feels like it’s in turmoil. Common stressors that can derail academic success include:

Family Transitions

Parents separating or divorcing, a recent loss of a loved one, or a family member dealing with a serious medical condition. Moving or changing schools can also be stressful.

Financial Strain

Many families experience periods of financial hardship due to job loss, underemployment, inflation, etc. Financial hardship can manifest as food insecurity, housing instability, and a general sense of heightened anxiety from parents that trickles down to the student.

Worries about affording college add another layer on top of an already challenging situation. Students should always prioritize the most affordable path to college, taking advantage of opportunities for debt-free sources including federal and state grants through the FAFSA, and scholarships available through the ScholarshipOwl platform. Your school counselor may also have a list of local scholarships, and can assist you with requests for fee waivers for the SAT, ACT, and college applications.

Safety & Stability

Living in an abusive or high-conflict home environment, or dealing with the impact of addiction is very stressful and unsettling.

Social Dynamics

Being the target of bullying, or handling the deep isolation that comes from struggling to make or keep friends impacts both academic performance and overall well-being.

Relationship Rollercoasters

While a new romantic relationship is exciting, it can be a major distraction; conversely, a painful breakup can make it feel impossible to concentrate.

How to Navigate the Weight

Speak with a Trusted Adult

Verbalizing what is happening to a coach, mentor, or teacher reduces the pressure and will enable you to strategize with someone about next steps.

See Your School Counselor

Your school counselor is trained to support students through personal crises and can often help facilitate “grace periods” with your teachers.

Seek Professional Support

A therapist can provide you with a “tool kit” of coping strategies to manage stress while staying functional.

When Hard Work Isn’t Enough: Uncovering Hidden Barriers

Sometimes, a student does everything right—they study for hours, they attend every class—and their grades still don’t reflect their effort. If this sounds like you, it might be a learning difference.

Many students go years without realizing their brain simply processes information differently. Screening for learning differences can provide you with accommodations (like extra time on tests) that level the playing field. Commonly identified differences include:

Dyslexia, Dysgraphia or Dyscalculia

Challenges with reading, writing, or math processing.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Struggles with executive function, focus, and organization.

Auditory/Visual Processing Disorders

Difficulty interpreting information seen or heard.

How to Get Screened for Learning Differences

If you feel you might have a learning difference that is impacting your academic performance, let your school counselor know. Your counselor will be able to help you navigate to a professional who can screen you for learning differences. Sometimes the school district will cover the cost of assessment, so it’s important to go through your school counselor to start the process.

Your Comeback Starts Today

Your GPA is a snapshot of a moment in time—it is not a permanent label on your potential. If raising your GPA is a priority, refine your study habits, strategically choose more rigorous courses, and get the extra support you need to transform your academic trajectory. The next semester is a blank page. How will you write it?