Do Grades Matter in College?

Grades are a fundamental part of the education system. Grading is an important yardstick to measure the academic performance of college students. It also plays a vital role in determining the future of the students. It is a medium to communicate with teachers, parents, officials of higher education and employers on the student’s potential. 

‘Good grades’ motivate students to improve their skills and learning abilities. It enables the teachers to organize course syllabus and identify a closure for the semester accordingly. Therefore, grades guide students toward progressive growth. 

Students often search for ‘how to get good grades’, ‘how to get good grades in high school’ and ‘how to get good grades in college’ to meet and exceed their academic expectations.

Must-Know Things About Getting Good Grades in College

Role of Grading in an Education System

Firstly, it is important to understand the role of the grading system in education. The benefits and category of grades largely depend on the objectives of the institution. However, the underlying purpose of the grading system is universal. Educational institutions operate efficiently in relation to the goals of the grading system, such as:

To provide feedback to the students

Grades provide feedback on the student’s learning abilities. It enables students to review their study-habits and adopt new ones for greater improvement. Students can also identify the subject topics which are weaker. They can learn more about their interest areas through grades. 

To guide students towards effective learning 

Grades facilitate teachers and counselors to guide students in the subjects that require help. Students are guided on the right career options or subject choices based on their grades.

To provide feedback to the teachers

Students’ grades offer great insight into the strengths and weaknesses in the teaching approach. Teachers can review their methods and enable students towards effective learning.

To motivate students towards success

Grades motivate students to study harder. This works on both ends. Negative grading drives students to strive harder and avail good grades. Positive grading, on the other hand, acts as a reward for the efforts of the students. This, in turn, prompts students to continue studying better.

7 Reasons Why Grades are Important for College Students

Grades are crucial in the academic life of college students. They direct students towards effective learning and interesting job opportunities. Ideally, every high school or college student is aware of the importance of grades to use time and resources successfully. They are:

Grades boost confidence levels 

Students who strive hard to score grades gain the attention of the teachers. Acquiring good grades will enable students to earn respect from fellow peers, who look up to them for guidance. By guiding other students, students tend to learn the concepts more efficiently. This, in turn, enhances the confidence of students who scored good grades in college.

Grades enable financial aid   

Good grades contribute to achieving educational scholarships. Institutions encourage students who are motivated towards learning. Grades reflect the students’ interest in education. Therefore, only those students who attain good grades are eligible for scholarships from acclaimed institutions. 

Grades reflect the individual abilities 

Grades are an effective medium to measure the learning abilities of the students. It provides an insight into the state of mind, skills and interests of the student. This brings the strengths and weakness of the student to light and prepares college students for a work environment.   

Grades influence the University’s acceptance 

Students who attain higher grades are more likely to be accepted by the university. This is also dependent on the kind of course and the institution. However, students must obtain good grades as weaker grades signify minimal interest in learning and reduce the chances of acceptance. Therefore, grades are vital in determining the higher education of college students. 

Grades provide eligibility for extracurricular events

Students who scored good grades in their respective subjects are more likely to lead in extracurricular events. Students who score higher grades in their interested subjects are more eligible to represent the College in extracurricular events. Grades decide whether students can participate in Inter-college, state or national level events. 

 Grades ensure greater employment opportunities 

Although this is subjective, college students must take grades seriously for greater employment opportunities. The employers investigate the Grade Point Average (GPA) to determine the skills of an employee. Certain jobs expect students to have grades to avail for job opportunities. Therefore, scoring good grades pave way for greater employment opportunities. 

We understand the challenges you face with the grading system!

Although grades are crucial for students it is not the only criterion for student’s improvement. The grading system has its limitations. It is ideal for students to be aware of both sides of the grading system to avoid any kind of misconception. Some of the drawbacks of the grading system are:

Grades induce stress

It is a known fact that many college students are under pressure to earn good grades. This stress can impact their physical and mental health impeding them to learn ineffectively. The spirit of healthy competition takes a hit when there is a comparison. Therefore, comparing grades of students might delude them into thinking that they are not good enough. Students are advised to be aware of this aspect.

Inability to measure all criteria

The grading system is uniform to all students irrespective of the individual’s capacities and skill set. This reflects the conflict in the grading system. Each student is different and has unique levels of understanding. Applying a common grading system for all students ignores the differences of each student.  

Grading kills the learning interest

Many students cease to be interested in their favorite subjects due to negative grading. Consecutive negative grading can demotivate students from learning a specific subject. This may eventually result in dropouts from colleges. 

Discrepancy in the grading system

Not all grading systems are uniform. The grading system differs in each country, state and institution. The grades of the students may not correspond to the institution they aim to apply. Therefore, college students who wish to apply for further education may find this difficult.

Irrespective of the student’s interest in grading, it is still part of the education system. Therefore, students must understand how to use this medium to their advantage. 

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References

https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/do-employers-care-about-gpa-your-questions-answered/

https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/assessment/basics/grading-assessment.html

http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/100053/chapters/What-Are-Grades-For%C2%A2.aspx

https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/grading-student-work/

https://inspiria.edu.in/are-grades-important-in-schools/