Customer Reviews

Getting Straight A's

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In general, I was never considered a very good high-school student. Many of my peers and most of my teachers judged my intelligence by my low test scores, and I had little choice but to accept the evidence and concede that I simply wasn't very bright. Although my confidence suffered with every failing grade I received, in my heart I knew that I was intelligent, but no one would have known it by looking at my report card.

It seemed that many of my teachers expected me to be successful somehow, but none of them seemed especially willing to explain what it takes to be successful in a school. I sincerely suspected that perhaps the `A' students knew something about learning that I did not. I was afraid that if I asked what the "secret" was, they would think that I was crazy, or say "Take notes and study hard." What does that mean anyway? What does it mean to "take notes", and to "study hard" as all my teachers had always told me to do?

After barely graduating from high school in 1991, I had numerous low-paying blue-collar jobs which did very little except damage my self-esteem even further. In the summer of 95', while working at the local sawmill, I decided that enough was enough... I had to go to college and try to get a degree, even if I failed while trying. I filled out the appropriate paperwork and signed up for the fall semester.

While waiting for classes to begin, I discovered this little book titled "Getting Straight A's". I flipped through and read the table of contents and was amazed at what I saw. This is what I had been missing through all of those horribly unsuccessful academic years, but had never known what I was missing! After purchasing and reading this book, I made a vow that school would be different for me this time.

Little did I know that I would be correct beyond my own imagination. Thanks to the information contained within this invaluable book, I was able to earn a 4.0 grade point average semester after semester... an accomplishment that I had previously thought to be impossible. It definitely took work, but because this book showed me where to focus my efforts I no longer labored randomly. Although there will always be those peers who are a bit jealous, most of my true college friends admired me, my instructors loved me, and for once in my life I felt that I could accomplish absolutely anything. I still feel that way today. Every day I praise the day that I discovered this book.

I actually used this book when it first came out, about 13 years ago. Until then, I was a very disorganized student, and often crammed for exams. I saw this book in a bookstore when I was preparing to return to school after two years in a dead end job. With the use of the techniques in "Getting Straight A's", I raised my G.P.A. to 3.76 and was accepted to medical school. I am now a very happy physician. I hope others can use this book to fulfill their dreams!

I was studying for 5 and 6 hours a night after work, and I was desperate for a way to finish my college degree in computers after going to night school for almost 8 years. This book taught me how to do it without killing myself and worrying about tests. It took all the nervousness out of taking tests. As one reviewer said that the methods are too simple, I don't find this to be true at all. Only after really reading this book in depth from cover to cover was I able to understand the importance of why the methods work. I recommend the book to everyone I know who is struggling to go to college at night while working a full time job like I did. You'll get at least 2 or 3 great things from this book. It could really mean the difference between giving up or graduating, as it meant for me.

I didn't read this book until graduate school. But after I read it, I got A's in 9 straight engineering graduate courses. It was not uncommon for me to get 100's on tests and perfect scores on term papers which is rare in graduate school. If you are serious and want/need to be competitive with your classmates, you must read this book. I have also given this book as a gift to nieces and nephews.

I got this book back in 1987 in preparation for college, which I'd waited to start until age 25. That was 7 years out of highschool, which I'd weaseled through doing very little work. I was scared.

This book got me focused and helped me immensely! Did I get straight A's? No, but I got them when I wanted them. While in college I sprouted socially and spiritually, which blissfully distracted me from studying. Nevertheless, when I used his methods, they worked. I'm here saying this because I just ordered the new edition for a friend, also a "late" starter. She's been reading my old copy, which she says has already allayed some of her fears and given her focus.

Dr. Gordon Green's books, "Getting Straight A's" and "How to Get Straight A's ... And Have Fun at the Same Time" are books that can and do change students' lives. I know this as fact since these two books changed my life. Before I go into detail about this, the main thing you need to know is that if you are looking for help for a struggling student or if you are a struggling student yourself, buy both of these books. They will help!

As I mentioned, Dr Gordon Green's books changed my life. The first major impact was when I was in college at Northeastern University in 1987. As a C student with an 870 on my SAT, I struggled my first semester in college. It was not because I lacked the desire to learn or that I was lazy, in fact, I did all the things I thought a good student should do. I read the textbooks, went to classes, took notes and studied for tests. However, by the end of the first semester, I received a 1.5 GPA.

It was just after receiving these grades that I read Dr. Green's book, "Getting Straight A's". This book taught me the core study skills that I was never taught, such as how to read a textbook and how to take notes. But this book also taught me how to set goals, which is a skill that I use everyday of my life. By reading this book, I was able to totally turn my grades around. I was able to graduate with a 3.0 GPA and only received one C after my first semester, all my other grades being A's and B's. Not only did I achieve academic success in college but I also gained the confidence and self-conviction to know that I can overcome any challenge.

When I started my MBA at Northeastern University in 2003, I re-read "Getting Straight A's". This book proved to be a timeless learning aid since I've been able to maintain a 3.78 GPA all the while working full time. The key to my success was in using all of the techniques I learned in Dr. Green's book. When I first started my MBA, I contacted Dr. Green and, when I spoke with him, I told him how much his book had changed my life. He told me that many people have written to him and told him the same thing. I found him to be an extremely pleasant person and I feel my life is enriched for having contacted Dr. Green.

Here is the other way Dr. Green's book affected my life. While working on my MBA at Northeastern University, I was asked by the Crew Coach to speak with the team. I decided to speak about all the techniques that I had learned from Dr. Green's book. Prior to putting together my presentation, I contacted Dr. Green and he gave me permission to use his materials.

When I presented this information to the team, I could tell that the presentation was well received. Each one of the team members paid attention and, the following day, some of them wrote me notes to say thank you. It was a life-changing experience for me because after 12 years of working in High Technology Sales, I now realized that what I really wanted to do with my life was to give presentations that taught struggling students how to become great students. About one year after this initial presentation, I started a company called Great Grades "Strategies"; our website is www.GPAgrowth.com. We are focused on helping student athletes become more competitive in the classroom and we're currently working with athletic departments such as Merrimack College, Northeastern University, Plymouth State University and Tufts University.

We have also expanded Great Grades "Strategies" to assist high school students. For this program, we are leveraging Dr. Green's other book, "How to Get Straight A's ... And Still Have Fun". In these one-on-one workshops, we help individual high school students achieve success in the classroom.

Dr Green's two books changed my life and I believe they can do the same for you. I am forever thankful to Dr. Green for authoring these publications because I could have never succeeded in College or my MBA program without them. If you have any questions about these books, please don't hesitate to write me at genefay@GPAgrowth.com.

I'm a 30+ man who's returned to University to do an undergraduate degree, and I found this book invaluable. Yes, it can be a little cheesy, but the advice is just excellent, and I have read it over a couple of times. I don't mean to boast, but so far I'm averaging a Distinction in all my classes, some borderline High Distinctions. So obviously some of the stuff the author is suggesting works. I know it all might seem quite simple stuff, but it's good to see it stated, and useful to think you have some "secret knowledge."

My instructor recommended this book while I attended a speed reading course. I returned to school after a few years out working dead-end jobs. In high school, my grades were C's and D's. When I returned, using this book, I scored A's and B's. I fought for my grades and could back it up because I knew the material. (More than one professor changed my grade but asked me not to tell everyone else because they would have to change all of them!) Well laid out and straight forward. It was the blueprint I needed to succeed and move up the ladder. Looking back at the dead-end, labor-intensive work I had after high school, I now work in a prestigious job with great responsibilities! I am forever in debt to Mr. Green and highly recommend his book to anyone who tells me they are returning to school.

My father came across this book at a bookstore before I started college and gave it to me. It was the most valuable gift he has given me. I got almost all A's and any class that I didn't was because I stupidly didn't follow the method (probable because I thought I could ace it without Green's advice) I am a very happy physician and have achieved all the acedemic goals that I wanted to. ( P.S. My guidance counselor told me I should do TV/Radio repair ) In no small measure I owe my success to this book, if you have a child going to college who wants success, then have him/her read this book. ...

This book was well organized but lakced the elements needed for success in upper level education. If you are in high school or just starting college it would sufice but if you are jr./sr. or professional school skip this one! A better pick is adam robinson's, what smart students know.