College campuses are springing back to life. For the freshmen, it’s an exciting new time in their lives, while the other students are one step closer to achieving their dreams. You might see many approaches to studying, from those who don’t study at all to those who spend all of their time holed up in the library. You want to try to achieve a balance between getting good grades and being involved in the college experience.
Good grades will make sure you get a good return on your tuition investment when you go out to look for a job down the road. But they can also get you good rewards now if you took out a private student loan from Discover® Student Loans. You can actually receive a cash reward for getting good grades! Students who earn at least a 3.0 GPA (or equivalent) will be able to qualify for a one-time 1% cash reward of the disbursed principal balance on their loan. Here are a few tips to help make sure you get your reward for good grades:
• Attend Classes: This might seem like a no-brainer, but it is surprising to see the number of students who don’t attend their classes regularly. They are definitely not going to get the best return on their investment, and they are usually very surprised when they get low grades. Attending classes and taking notes is your best way of getting the information you need, and some professors even award a few extra points if you are there consistently.
• Get to Know Your Instructors: Most instructors are interested in helping you learn the material. You might be surprised at the help that is available if you just ask. Be sure you understand their writing style and requirements so you don’t lose points when you turn in assignments.
• Start Early: Some students say they like the pressure of working on a last-minute deadline for assignments, but this is a sure-fire recipe for disaster. If you have a project that isn’t due until December, map out a schedule for yourself to accomplish something each week.
• Work with Others: Get to know students in your classes so you can form a study group and prepare for exams. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from a tutor if you’re just not getting it.
Think Ahead
In addition to the possibility of getting the cash reward from Discover Student Loans, you’ve got a lot of other great reasons to study hard and get good grades. You’ll have a better shot at landing your dream job, will probably be able to make better decisions in life, and will definitely make your parents even prouder of you. Not bad for spending a little time hitting the books!
If you need more information about the college financial aid process, or would like to learn more about federal and private student loans, contact College Financial Aid Advisors (CFAA).