Everyone knows it’s crunch time when it starts getting close to the end of the semester.

Most students think that, at this point, grades are pretty much set in stone. Don’t worry; there is still plenty of time to improve your grades.

First off, you have to be dedicated. All of those distractions that were keeping your grades from being where you wanted them to be need to be cut out or kept to a minimum.

Things like playing video games all day and watching television and movies at all hours of the night need to be kept under control. These distractions do nothing but cut into the time you could be dedicating to improving your grades.

That doesn’t mean that you have to spend every waking minute on your studies. Depending on your homework load, you will need little breaks in between to retain all of the information and not overwork your brain. This could be the time where you catch up on your favorite TV show or beat that level. This hobby, however, needs to have a set time limit.

You may also have to cut back on some of the usual college student routines. Partying every weekend is not going to get your homework done or prepare you for your quiz. In fact, if you know you have a lot of homework over the weekend or a big exam the next week, cut out partying altogether.

You may miss a party or two, but it’s a lot easier to have fun when you know you’re not putting off something important.

Getting rest is the most important factor in achieving better grades. When you lose sleep, it makes it harder to focus, absorb information and, most importantly, retain it.

It often helps after intensive study sessions to take a 30-minute nap. This gives your brain a break from the stress and aids in retaining all that you have learned.

It will also be beneficial to meet with your professors frequently. Students generally have busy schedules, but taking 10-20 minutes to meet with your professor can help you in the long run. It will let you know where you stand in the class academically.

The professor could also let you know where you can improve and help you with things you may be struggling to comprehend. Meeting with your professor lets them know you care about how you do in the class and could help boost your grade.

Lastly, do not procrastinate! Procrastinating is one of the hardest habits to break. Instead of waiting until the last minute to study and do homework, do it as soon as you can.

Some rely on last-minute cram sessions to accomplish their goals, but this method does not work for everyone.

It is easier for most to have productive days by balancing going to class, being in organizations and socializing with getting the proper amount of sleep.

If you can implement all of these tips into your daily routines, there is still ample time to reach your academic goals.