College classes can often have many grade components: quizzes, homework, tests, attendance, bonus points. You can’t tell how you are doing in a class unless you develop a system for recording your grades. Outlined below is a system that works for every class.

Step 1: Review the syllabus to determine how the grade is determined. Every syllabus should spell this out. See the example on the attachment.

Step 2: Develop a grade template form for your class that has a blank for each grade element. See the example in the attachment.

Step 3: Record each grade on the template as it is received. See the example in the attachment.

Step 4: Calculate your current grade in the class by dividing the points you have earned to date by the total possible points in the class. See the example in the attachment.

The calculations shown here are available in an app titled Grades 2. That is available on Apple products.

It’s critical that you calculate your grades throughout the semester. All too often students don’t know what’s needed to do well in a class.

Keeping Track of Your Goals Attachment.