Social media can be a valuable tool for students. Receiving peer support and discussing past assignments without leaving the house helped students during the past two years of pandemics. However, several studies show that spending too much time on social media can be detrimental to your attention levels and, consequently, your grades.

Although, the web offers many free tools. They support students with their written assignments, and limiting time spent on social media could be the key to improving the quality of your essay production and finding your own voice as a student writer.

Being A College Student Is Not Easy

It is hardly a secret that being a college student can be rewarding and stressful at the same time. Keeping up with tight deadlines, writing elaborate essays and reading a research paper after another can feel too much. Heavy study loads and the ever-present fear of failing can leave students under immense pressure.

Social duties and family life add to the problem. Stressed college students looking to earn better grades should not worry because, using the right tools and strategies, writing successful essays may be easier than they think. 

The ability to write quality work in your own words is something that teachers look for when grading college papers. As you may have noticed, reading your teacher comments for students’ writing, producing engaging content for your essays can help you get amazing grades.

Although writing an original is not easy, students can find inspiration using a free online application essay writing service or reading articles on the topic. Referencing the source material correctly is another important skill for academic success.

Time And Organisation Are Key For Good Studying Process

A research paper published in 2014 by UCLA discovered that 27.2% of all students spent six or more hours per week on social media. In 2007, that number was just 18.9%. While we do not have recent data, it is likely that time on social media has further increased. Particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Experts link spending too much time on social media to poor mental health, with increased anxiety and depression. Social media abuse also affects sleep, another factor related to poor study performance. Students limiting social media have more time to acquire study skills and learn how to improve their grades.

Find Out How Your Homework Is Graded

There are different ways of grading college papers. Traditional grading follows pre-defined criteria of evaluation. For example, the ability of each student to complete the tasks required for the assignments. Taking the time to familiarise yourself with what teachers expect from you will help improve your performance.

Traditional methods of grading college papers can contribute to increased stress for the students. In particular, harsh teacher comments for students’ writing can undermine the students’ motivation and self-confidence. For this reason, colleges worldwide have started introducing alternative grading systems.

One example is the student contract for grades, a flexible grading system which allows students to collaborate with their teachers to set up goals and design a study pathway which reflects their interests and strengths. Although student contract for grades are becoming popular, only a few colleges currently offer them.

How Grades Affect Students’ Self Esteem

A research paper studying the effects of the introduction of a strict grading system in Sweden has shown that assessments and grading negatively affect the self-esteem and health of pupils. Another psychology research paper has demonstrated that students with poor self-esteem tend to achieve lower grades compared to more confident peers. These studies show that self-esteem and academic performance are strictly linked.

Social Media Can Lower Your Grades and Self-Esteem Too

More than one research paper links social media to increased depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem in young people. In his book, American author and scientist Cal Newport calls for quitting all social media to improve focus and happiness. Although this may sound too extreme for you, you can boost your attention and improve your grades by limiting the time you spend on social media.

For example, you can use free apps or web tools to track time spent on social media and set a time limit. Studies also show that spending less time on social media improves self-confidence. A fundamental asset to overcome the delusion and shame of receiving unpleasant grades.

Conclusion

As college students know too well, it is normal to feel stressed and insecure after receiving a bad grade. Failing an essay or getting negative teacher comments for students’ writing can be challenging. But a low rate does not mean being unable to excel in school or in life. Taking the time to learn how to write original texts can help you raise your grades.

Constancy and self-reflection are welcomed by teachers grading college papers. Some colleges let students use student contract for grades. If your college uses a traditional grading method, then planning your learning, acquiring skills and reducing your time on social media can put you back on the way to success.