Strategies that will allow students to get at least a “B” in any class, guaranteed, were given by Joe Martin in the Fireside Room at Bakersfield College on Nov. 3.

“College success is not about your I.Q.; it’s about your ‘I will,'” said Martin.

Martin is a nationally known speaker, university professor, author, educational consultant and was the youngest professor ever hired to teach at an accredited university in the state of Florida at age 24, according to the brochure given at the event.

Monica Rosales, 22, BC sociology major, was at the presentation because she had to be there for a class.

“I hope to gain some knowledge of how to get a ‘B’ in a class because it would be very helpful,” she said. “But I know it’s all in the effort I put into my studies that will make the difference.”

Students had the opportunity to listen to Martin’s own childhood story of growing up in the projects of Liberty City in the Greater Miami area where he discovered he wasn’t like everyone else. Because of his mother’s advice of never holding his head down for anyone, Martin knew he had to become somebody better than his surroundings.

“I grew up poor with no food to eat, and what motivated me to go to college was I knew I needed to get my mom out of where we were living,” said Martin. Teachers told Martin that he wasn’t college material, and it came to a point where he almost joined the military.

“I heard I wasn’t meant to go to college because of my grades,” he said. “So I thought about joining the Navy, but when I found out most of my friends, who I thought couldn’t even spell the word ‘college,’ were going, I knew I could do it.”

Tricks for grades were a big part in his presentation. He outlined, on a board, important things for students to remember about their professors during a new semester.

“All professors are human,” he said. “They have family problems, financial problems, and you can’t forget that, because if you do, you’re putting them on a pedestal which causes intimidation.”

Forming relationships with professors was also an important key factor he addressed. “Talk to them after class, during office hours,” he said. “Let them know you’re interested in their class because those professors are the ones that will write great recommendation letters for you when you’re looking for a job.”

Although Martin did not give studying advice or techniques on how to do better on a test, he said the most important thing to have “is a strong ‘why’ explanation, and you’ll be able to overcome everything and get good grades.”

Martin also addressed the importance for a student to guard reputation and character in college.

“Always ask yourself why you’re in college, and do the opposite of what other students do, and do it with heart. Make your own statement, and you’ll see how your grades will begin to improve, giving you a grade above the average of those who you don’t follow.”

Brenda Esparza, 21, business major, enjoyed the presentation given by Martin.

“It was very useful, and it changed my perspective of why I am in college, why I am really here.”