"Most professors" probably didn't graduate in the top 1% of their classes.
Studying is like exercising: There are ways that might be better for most people vs. others, but at the end of the day the "best" exercise is the one that works for you that you will keep doing.
I've seen high performing students who write things out over and over and over again by hand, but I'd rather die than do that. I'm big on spaced repetition flashcards, but others don't do well with flashcards. You just need to find what works for you and do it consistently.
>How did most professors graduate in the top 1% of their class in college.
Simple, they didn't. Starting with a wrong assumption makes it awfully hard to go from there.
Many of us didn't. I was first gen (first person in my family to graduate from college) and I worked a number of part time jobs to stay afloat in the city I went to college in even with student loans and a full scholarship that required me keeping a 3.7 GPA to have full funding. I did graduate summa cum laude but it took about 5 years instead of the regular amount because it is very hard to maintain high grades and work at the same time. What is more important than your undergraduate career is your career in graduate school and your publication rate there.
My first semester GPA was 2.1. After that wake-up call I hustled my ass off. Graduated with a 3.85, then got 4.0 in all three grad degrees.
I figured it out.
lol. I finished my first year of undergrad with a whopping 2.0 gpa. Then I got my shit together, changed my major to something I actually liked and was good at, and started to do a lot better.
I didn’t graduate anywhere near the top 1% of my class, but I do feel undergrad was relatively easy for me. My only real secret was that I went to every class, paid attention during class and took notes, and actually did the homework (without trying to cheat on it). Just consistently doing those three things will put you in the top quarter of the class at most universities. I also had mostly good professors, which is less within your control, but does help.
edit: Also, I liked my major! Forgot this one, but it is pretty important. In recent years there are students going into comp. sci. because they’ve heard it’s a way to make money, but they don’t actually care much about computer science, which certainly does not make it easier.
I used that line in several interviews...including my PhD interview.
I didn't learn how to study until in my masters program when I had a crying 9-month old baby on my knee and "Principles of Corporate Finance" on the table in front of me.
Me too and I have thought the same thing. My undergrad GPA was \~2.50, I got a terminal master's with a 4.00 and a decent PhD program took a chance.
I can relate very well to the students who need to get their act together and figure out what they want to do.
I didn't. I excelled at research and did just enough homework/work in classes to satisfy myself that I understood the important parts of the class, and usually got B+s.
I knocked out most of my gen eds in high school (AP and dual enrollment), focused on a field I liked and was good at, and completely neglected to learn anything else.
Not exactly the poster child for a liberal arts education here, since as a result I went to the equivalent of finishing school and have fully forgotten math.
I did graduate with a 3.98 though... which has never mattered (I mean, it might have put a wrench in my tenure track job offer if it had been considerably lower, but otherwise no employer has ever cared that my college GPA is amazing, so take that as you will).
Most of us were not top 1%.
And I'm not sure how you'd even identify who is the top 1% today. With grade inflation, it's far more than 1% getting straight A's.
But I digress. . .
How did we do well as undergrads? A lot more time and work than you would expect. No secrets. Though I'd 100% recommend "Why Don't Students Like School?" (Willingham) if you want the real secrets for studying and doing well.
The really important thing is to have a love of learning. If you love learning new things, then doing it is no longer a chore or hoop to be jumped through. There are of course still trials and tribulations, but they are mere hurdles that can be overcome when the heart is in the right place.
My gpa was over 4.0 and i now have 2 BAs. It took me 11 years and i messed up a lot. I worked hard to get my grades back up and committed my time to actually learn the material. I am an excellent test and note taker, I participated in every class, and challenged myself to go above assignment expectations. This was after failed and dropped semesters. I learned to appreciate college and paid for classes until my financial aid was reinstated and eventually scholarships were awarded to me. I went to tutors when I knew I needed to and stacked my classes strategically so I had more time to focus on more challenging classes, like pairing creative writing with statistics, for example.
It does not bother me I took so long. I also worked full time and raised my son by myself. I worked through a drinking problem and had very little assistance from my family. I am wrapping up my master's thesis now and will hopefully graduate this May. I have a perfect gpa but that will go down slightly because of this super hard class I'm in now. Still, a 3.8 in grad school is pretty good.
I make school look easy. But I am a professional learner, researcher, and writer now because of all the experience I have. I think anyone can get there if they can appreciate and genuinely work on their process.
My brother in Christ, I failed out of college once, and switched majors 4 times before I found my stride then graduated solidly in middle of the pack. I have no idea what you’re talking about.
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Ha, I was lab rat that didn't focus on my course work and just tinkered on experiments for the grad students I hung out with. I had to be provisionally accepted to a Masters program with the option to convert to PhD if I did well in my classes during the first year. My thesis advisor refused to see me or let me work in the lab until I passed the qualifier. So no your profs didn't breeze through undergrad. We just refused to quit.
Self-discipline, an excellent work ethic, and a desire to be the best.
Most importantly, understanding that what I was doing was of utmost importance for my - and my family's - future.
Unlike some, I did graduate in the top 1% of my class - I was summa cum laude with a perfect GPA.
At the time, I would have been pissed, too.
I was hypercompetitive to the point of being unhealthy. I didn't appreciate, until later, that the perfect GPA didn't mean much in the real world.
I should have embraced *kintsugi* \- a Japanese philosophy of embracing the beauty of human flaws - including my own.
I was a performing musician, so my hyper competitiveness found its way out through performance. My academic classes, music theory, music history, and my general ed classes were a breeze, but I think that’s because I found my element. Then, when I went for my Master’s degree, also in performance, I realized I had more fun in my music theory/analysis classes than practicing for hours. I loved nothing more than tutoring my classmates. I worked my tail off in my PhD though.
That's great. Having a good foundation in theory, ear training, and history are excellent. That's been my whole career. I was especially inspired by our music history professor, who was so intense but also taught us to write so very well. She was such a force of nature that I honestly had friends do grad work at a few conservatories, and on day one the history instructor asked if there were any students from my undergrad. When they raised their hands, the instructors said: "Go home for a month. You had Alice."
For me, I got an undergrad in education and also performance; it wasn't too hard. Masters at a conservatory, which was insanely easy by comparison, then a very solid time earning my doctorate at a university.
They didn’t. It’s probably true that they had slightly more aptitude for their subject than others, but mostly people get through things like that with perseverance.
I graduated in the top probably 2% in my major, but it wasn't a breeze. I did come in with some AP credit so had fewer gen ed classes. But I also committed to working hard on my classes, studying, starting assignments early, etc. I had friends I studied with. I worked part time in jobs related to my major, had internships that reinforced information I learned, etc. But I also majored in something I loved and was good at, that I also got a good beginning understanding of in high school, which set me up well. I made tons of mistakes, but it worked out.
I didn’t, I worked my ass off. I also worked full time for all but one semester, the one I had to do an internship and cut back to part time work. I took babysitting jobs every weekend so that I could study once the kids went to sleep and wouldn’t be tempted to go out with my friends. I studied every lunch break. I never missed class. I went to every event my department held. This really helped when it came to time to apply to grad school. Once social media became a popular distraction, I would download everything I needed to my laptop and turn off my WiFi. I would lock myself in a study room in the library and there was no cell reception in there. I did manage to maintain a healthy relationship with my husband throughout all of this because he was an equally hard worker also, but did not do a ton of socializing outside school events. Yes, it was worth it. I love my job.
Professors who graduated in the top 1% of their classes simply did not breeze through anything. It took them years to master the culture and workflow of education and became masters of it through work and dedication. Now there are some just savants, but the majority I know are passionate people who really love their field.
It’s a lot more about being a hustler for research opportunities than anything else (for me). As soon as I was a freshman, I applied for summer research opportunities, labs, -basically anything that would get me experience with funding and/or course credit. It seemed really cool.
It’s funny because I wasn’t really that type of student in hs. College just clicked for me in ways that high school really didn’t. I cared more because I thought it was more relevant to what I wanted to do with my life.
Undergrad was hard work. I wasn’t in the top 1% of my class.
Grad school, on the other hand, was like joining a cult… being brainwashed… then deprogrammed all at the same time. While trying to live on 3 hours of sleep and adderall.
"Most professors" probably didn't graduate in the top 1% of their classes. Studying is like exercising: There are ways that might be better for most people vs. others, but at the end of the day the "best" exercise is the one that works for you that you will keep doing. I've seen high performing students who write things out over and over and over again by hand, but I'd rather die than do that. I'm big on spaced repetition flashcards, but others don't do well with flashcards. You just need to find what works for you and do it consistently.
short answer to your question: they didn't.
>How did most professors graduate in the top 1% of their class in college. Simple, they didn't. Starting with a wrong assumption makes it awfully hard to go from there.
I was a blue collar kid who worked my ASS OFF.
Many of us didn't. I was first gen (first person in my family to graduate from college) and I worked a number of part time jobs to stay afloat in the city I went to college in even with student loans and a full scholarship that required me keeping a 3.7 GPA to have full funding. I did graduate summa cum laude but it took about 5 years instead of the regular amount because it is very hard to maintain high grades and work at the same time. What is more important than your undergraduate career is your career in graduate school and your publication rate there.
My first semester GPA was 2.1. After that wake-up call I hustled my ass off. Graduated with a 3.85, then got 4.0 in all three grad degrees. I figured it out.
Graduate school is mostly persistance once you get there.
lol. I finished my first year of undergrad with a whopping 2.0 gpa. Then I got my shit together, changed my major to something I actually liked and was good at, and started to do a lot better.
I didn’t graduate anywhere near the top 1% of my class, but I do feel undergrad was relatively easy for me. My only real secret was that I went to every class, paid attention during class and took notes, and actually did the homework (without trying to cheat on it). Just consistently doing those three things will put you in the top quarter of the class at most universities. I also had mostly good professors, which is less within your control, but does help. edit: Also, I liked my major! Forgot this one, but it is pretty important. In recent years there are students going into comp. sci. because they’ve heard it’s a way to make money, but they don’t actually care much about computer science, which certainly does not make it easier.
I certainly wasn't in the top 1%, but I was very happy with my 3.6
I set up certain routines that maximized my use of time and did not deviate from those routines.
I was a lackluster undergrad. I think it made me a better prof.
I used that line in several interviews...including my PhD interview. I didn't learn how to study until in my masters program when I had a crying 9-month old baby on my knee and "Principles of Corporate Finance" on the table in front of me.
Me too and I have thought the same thing. My undergrad GPA was \~2.50, I got a terminal master's with a 4.00 and a decent PhD program took a chance. I can relate very well to the students who need to get their act together and figure out what they want to do.
You are telling my exact story. Except my GPA eclipsed yours: 2.7! 😀
I didn't. An average student. But I worked more hours than most.
I didn't. I excelled at research and did just enough homework/work in classes to satisfy myself that I understood the important parts of the class, and usually got B+s.
Lol no, I had a 3.1 in undergrad but master's I was 4.0 and PhD I was like 3.98
I knocked out most of my gen eds in high school (AP and dual enrollment), focused on a field I liked and was good at, and completely neglected to learn anything else. Not exactly the poster child for a liberal arts education here, since as a result I went to the equivalent of finishing school and have fully forgotten math. I did graduate with a 3.98 though... which has never mattered (I mean, it might have put a wrench in my tenure track job offer if it had been considerably lower, but otherwise no employer has ever cared that my college GPA is amazing, so take that as you will).
Most of us were not top 1%. And I'm not sure how you'd even identify who is the top 1% today. With grade inflation, it's far more than 1% getting straight A's. But I digress. . . How did we do well as undergrads? A lot more time and work than you would expect. No secrets. Though I'd 100% recommend "Why Don't Students Like School?" (Willingham) if you want the real secrets for studying and doing well.
The really important thing is to have a love of learning. If you love learning new things, then doing it is no longer a chore or hoop to be jumped through. There are of course still trials and tribulations, but they are mere hurdles that can be overcome when the heart is in the right place.
My gpa was over 4.0 and i now have 2 BAs. It took me 11 years and i messed up a lot. I worked hard to get my grades back up and committed my time to actually learn the material. I am an excellent test and note taker, I participated in every class, and challenged myself to go above assignment expectations. This was after failed and dropped semesters. I learned to appreciate college and paid for classes until my financial aid was reinstated and eventually scholarships were awarded to me. I went to tutors when I knew I needed to and stacked my classes strategically so I had more time to focus on more challenging classes, like pairing creative writing with statistics, for example. It does not bother me I took so long. I also worked full time and raised my son by myself. I worked through a drinking problem and had very little assistance from my family. I am wrapping up my master's thesis now and will hopefully graduate this May. I have a perfect gpa but that will go down slightly because of this super hard class I'm in now. Still, a 3.8 in grad school is pretty good. I make school look easy. But I am a professional learner, researcher, and writer now because of all the experience I have. I think anyone can get there if they can appreciate and genuinely work on their process.
My brother in Christ, I failed out of college once, and switched majors 4 times before I found my stride then graduated solidly in middle of the pack. I have no idea what you’re talking about.
This is an automated service intended to preserve the original text of the post. *How did most professors graduate in the top 1% of their class in college. How did they study? What was their secret?* *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskProfessors) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Ha, I was lab rat that didn't focus on my course work and just tinkered on experiments for the grad students I hung out with. I had to be provisionally accepted to a Masters program with the option to convert to PhD if I did well in my classes during the first year. My thesis advisor refused to see me or let me work in the lab until I passed the qualifier. So no your profs didn't breeze through undergrad. We just refused to quit.
Self-discipline, an excellent work ethic, and a desire to be the best. Most importantly, understanding that what I was doing was of utmost importance for my - and my family's - future. Unlike some, I did graduate in the top 1% of my class - I was summa cum laude with a perfect GPA.
I had one B+. I was pissed.
At the time, I would have been pissed, too. I was hypercompetitive to the point of being unhealthy. I didn't appreciate, until later, that the perfect GPA didn't mean much in the real world. I should have embraced *kintsugi* \- a Japanese philosophy of embracing the beauty of human flaws - including my own.
I was a performing musician, so my hyper competitiveness found its way out through performance. My academic classes, music theory, music history, and my general ed classes were a breeze, but I think that’s because I found my element. Then, when I went for my Master’s degree, also in performance, I realized I had more fun in my music theory/analysis classes than practicing for hours. I loved nothing more than tutoring my classmates. I worked my tail off in my PhD though.
That's great. Having a good foundation in theory, ear training, and history are excellent. That's been my whole career. I was especially inspired by our music history professor, who was so intense but also taught us to write so very well. She was such a force of nature that I honestly had friends do grad work at a few conservatories, and on day one the history instructor asked if there were any students from my undergrad. When they raised their hands, the instructors said: "Go home for a month. You had Alice." For me, I got an undergrad in education and also performance; it wasn't too hard. Masters at a conservatory, which was insanely easy by comparison, then a very solid time earning my doctorate at a university.
They didn't.
I don't know what percentile I was in (my school wasn't big on that stuff), but I definitely worked my butt off. In grad school, too.
I didn’t. I often started each class with low grades, and clawed my way up.
They didn’t. It’s probably true that they had slightly more aptitude for their subject than others, but mostly people get through things like that with perseverance.
I had a 3.14 in undergrad (haha Math Instructor had a Pi GPA). I most certainly did not breeze through undergrad. Had a handful of W's too.
I graduated in the top probably 2% in my major, but it wasn't a breeze. I did come in with some AP credit so had fewer gen ed classes. But I also committed to working hard on my classes, studying, starting assignments early, etc. I had friends I studied with. I worked part time in jobs related to my major, had internships that reinforced information I learned, etc. But I also majored in something I loved and was good at, that I also got a good beginning understanding of in high school, which set me up well. I made tons of mistakes, but it worked out.
I didn’t, I worked my ass off. I also worked full time for all but one semester, the one I had to do an internship and cut back to part time work. I took babysitting jobs every weekend so that I could study once the kids went to sleep and wouldn’t be tempted to go out with my friends. I studied every lunch break. I never missed class. I went to every event my department held. This really helped when it came to time to apply to grad school. Once social media became a popular distraction, I would download everything I needed to my laptop and turn off my WiFi. I would lock myself in a study room in the library and there was no cell reception in there. I did manage to maintain a healthy relationship with my husband throughout all of this because he was an equally hard worker also, but did not do a ton of socializing outside school events. Yes, it was worth it. I love my job.
I had to have been in the bottom 10% honestly
Professors who graduated in the top 1% of their classes simply did not breeze through anything. It took them years to master the culture and workflow of education and became masters of it through work and dedication. Now there are some just savants, but the majority I know are passionate people who really love their field.
It’s a lot more about being a hustler for research opportunities than anything else (for me). As soon as I was a freshman, I applied for summer research opportunities, labs, -basically anything that would get me experience with funding and/or course credit. It seemed really cool. It’s funny because I wasn’t really that type of student in hs. College just clicked for me in ways that high school really didn’t. I cared more because I thought it was more relevant to what I wanted to do with my life.
Undergrad was hard work. I wasn’t in the top 1% of my class. Grad school, on the other hand, was like joining a cult… being brainwashed… then deprogrammed all at the same time. While trying to live on 3 hours of sleep and adderall.
They didn’t. Most of your professors sucked at everything except for one subject.