Does having really good grades in college really matter?

Question

I want to know if you really have to make good grades to get an education in college and get a good job. I just started college in the summer and I got a 4.0 gpa, but now I have 5 classes and I am really stressed about my school work. I am worried that I will fail my classes. I am doing ok, but when it comes to the tests I am worried to death. I want to continue in college, but I am scared to death about getting good grades. What grades are considered good so that you can still be successful in the future? ANY ADVICE!

Answer 1

The answer really depends on what you are planning to do after college. It you are planning to go on to graduate school (or even just thinking about it), the answer is yes. Some employers also look at grades. In other cases, it doesn't matter as much. Some employers are just looking for the paper and don't really care where or how you got it.

Grades can definately be stressful, but you are off to a very good start. Push yourself but don't forget that very few people manage a perfect GPA. So, don't beat yourself up over a missed decimal point. If you really are stuggling, talk to the professor. It this doesn't help, look at your university's policy for retaking or dropping classes. I don't advocate dropping classes unless you really have to, but sometimes it's a must.

Also, something to remember is that many places differentiate between your overall GPA and your major GPA. What I mean is that they they are less interested in your grades in that Intermediate Basketweaving class and more interested in the GPA of the classes that pertain to what you want to do in the future. Some grad school will actually rescore your GPA to reflect this (i.e. you could end up with a 3.5 overall GPA and a 3.75 GPA in Biology or whatever). This major GPA will be more important to these schools than the general one unless there is a major difference between the two. In this case, it's most important to keep your grades in your major high.

Also, people notice upward trends. If, for instance, you don't do that well in your freshman year but manage a great GPA in your junior and senior year--use it to your advantage. If prospective employers don't have a transcript, tell them you were on the honor roll your last two years. As long as it's true and doesn't come off as bragging it may help.

Since you were wondering, the average nationwide GPA is right around a 3.0 (I can't remember it exactly) and this is the general bottom line for most graduate schools though they often want higher. Also 3.0 is generally around the GPA required to join honor societies (though it may be a bit higher for some and often is only calculated for the field the society pertains to). At some schools this average GPA is higher or lower than at others due to inflation or deflation. I would think that a 3.5 or so would be considered relatively good by most anyone.

The bottom line is that you have 4+ years to build a solid GPA. Doing badly in a class or two won't help but it doesn't necessarily have to kill your chances either. Best of luck.

Answer 2

Congratulations on your success thus far.

Yes, good grades are important, especially if you want to take an advanced degree in the future. Five courses is a heavy load for a first semester freshman. Have you considered dropping one course so you can concentrate on the other four? This is the most difficult semester in college, in my experience. Then you can add more classes next semester, or attend summer school. Do your best and study hard. Make sure you eat properly and get enough rest. Best wishes.

Answer 3

If this is your first year in college, keep in mind that this will probably be the year with the worst grades. You are getting used to being in college and the change from high school. Most likely your college grades will improve over time.

Employers do look at grades of new graduates, but what they look for is consistency or improvement. They don't like to see grades getting worse over the college years, but they expect to see a few poor grades in the first year or so. It isn't the end of the world as long as things improve.

Don't get too stressed about it. Try to prioritize your assignments and other work and make sure your are covering all bases adequately first, and then see about improvement. You sound as if you are a person who will be quite successful!! Best of luck with it.

Answer 4

It depends on the degree of success that you wish to attain. If you want to be one of the big time money makers, you do need to do very well. You can still make a lot of money with decent grades. Once you get your first job out of college, no one ever really looks at your grades again. Good Luck and dont stress out too much, it isnt worth it.

Answer 5

No certain grades will guaranty success. On average, good grades are better than not so good grades. The good grades are essential for graduate and professional programs, because they are the measures used (in large part) by the programs. But I have seen folks that managed just respectable averages do well in life. How much it matters will depend on where you go and what you do. Just do your best, try to maximize the skills you learn, and live your life while keeping your values intact. Good luck

Answer 6

Your task should be to do your best. If you are capable of getting A's and B's then you will forever be disatsified with lower grades. A professor will always admire a student who takes the class and their grades seriously. It will show a lot about your character and willingness to apply yourself. It might be these very professors who will write you letters of recommendation that will help you get a good job. So I would say, yes it matters. Good luck!

Answer 7

Just relax
its a good thing thing if u get good grades
but u should also take care of ur health
if get good grades there's a better chance of
having a higher positions
the point is : that u shouldn't study too hard
but u should study

i have to worry abt ur health too
u know wht i mean?

Answer 8

HELL YES it does indeed matter. Most jobs these days ASK what your GPA was when you graduated. If you have under a 3.0 you will NOT get most of them. For the good jobs you have to graduate in the top of your class, with a minimum GPA of 3.5. I am a law student and this is a BIG DEAL in my field. It is in most fields these days.

Answer 9

It's important to get pretty good grades in fields of study that you are planning on going into, but don't break your back to get those grades. Just do your best and you'll be fine. It's most important that you finish and get the degree.

Answer 10

To be on the safe side, you'll probably want Bs and As. Cs are average but be very careful if you have any Ds and Fs. Those are often considered failing grades.

Good luck in college! ^_^