captainhowtocollege-blog

[captainhowtocollege-blog]

How to Calculate your GPA

Have you ever wondered how your friends KNOW they’re going to get good grades in a semester? They plan. Below is my GPA plan for the semester. This is really good info to have so you know just how far you can fail and still come out strong. Which, depending on the type of person you are, is either a good thing or a bad thing. For me, it’s a good thing. 

The chart below is calculated grades. Notice how I don’t do specifics like A- or B+, that’s because most of the time, you’ll land in the middle and it gives you some wiggle room. 

The chart below is for a 16 credit semester. This means four classes at 3 credits each and one class at four credits. Also, I’ve estimated that I will get an A in the four credit class because it’s an easy class for me, this may be different for you. So one A in each ranking is a four credit class. Remember, the more credits you take the better your GPA will look if you fail a class. Taking 12 credits and getting a D in one class can potentially drop you below a 2.2! That’s not an option for me so I always take 16 credits. 

I recommend you do this for every semester and then highlight your goals. The ones circled in yellow are my goals and notice how I have three. It’s easier to hit a goal if it has variation in it. So essentially my goal is between a 3.25 and a 3.63 but even if I don’t hit my goals and I land at a 2.88, my cumulative GPA will still be above a 3.0 because I use this method! 

You can calculate your GPA here: https://gpacalculator.net/college-gpa-calculator/

That’t my favorite one because it’s easier. I hope this helps ease the stress for your semester!