In my journey to boost my GPA during high school, I experimented with various strategies. Some proved to be game-changers, while others fell short of expectations.
What worked:
The most significant change came from improving my time management. I started using a planner to organize my assignments, tests, and extracurricular activities. This helped me allocate specific times for study and relaxation, preventing last-minute cramming sessions. Engaging actively in class, asking questions, and participating in discussions deepened my understanding of the subjects. This engagement made studying more of a revision than a first-time learning experience, which significantly improved my retention and performance. Collaborating with peers in study groups was invaluable. It provided diverse perspectives on the material and clarified concepts I initially found challenging. Teaching others also reinforced my own understanding and retention of the subject matter. I took advantage of tutoring sessions and extra help from teachers, which was particularly beneficial for subjects I struggled with. These resources provided personalized feedback and strategies tailored to my learning style.

What did not work (Freshman year):
During freshman year, I thought cramming before tests would be sufficient. This strategy not only led to poor retention of information but also to significant stress and burnout. It was a hard lesson that effective studying requires consistency over time, not just the night before an exam. I attempted to multitask by studying while watching TV or scrolling through social media. This divided attention made study sessions less effective, requiring more time to understand and retain information. Focusing on a single task at a time proved to be much more efficient. Also, I sacrificed sleep and exercise to allocate more time to studying. This neglect led to decreased mental and physical well-being, which ironically impacted my academic performance negatively.

In conclusion, boosting my GPA was less about finding a one-size-fits-all solution and more about identifying strategies that complemented my learning style and lifestyle. Luckly freshman year was not that difficult for me, so it did not effect me negatively; however if it continued then I would have not been as acedmically sucessfully with through the rigous IB program. My new strategies helped me perform well in highschool, where I have maintained a perfect unweighted average.