Sometimes classes don’t go quite as planned. Perhaps you fell behind on a couple readings, or maybe math isn’t your best subject… No matter what class you are struggling with, check out these ways to turn your grade around!
1. Ask for help
Go to your teacher or professor and let them know that you are struggling in class. Since they are the ones administering the exams, you will likely receive some helpful insight. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Some examples: How can I better prepare for future exams? Do you offer extra help outside of class? Do you have any recommendations for tutoring? Show your professor the notes that you take in class. They’ll be able to tell you if you are headed in the right direction, if you are getting caught up in the details, or if you need to be more thorough with the material.
Lean on your classmates that you know are succeeding. Create a study group, or ask if they would be willing to spend a couple of minutes explaining certain concepts to you. If your class has a Teacher’s Assistant (TA), take advantage of that resource. Explore around, there are plenty of ways to ask for extra support!
2. Evaluate your priorities
If school isn’t at the forefront of your priorities, it may be time to change that! We know life happens and schedules get busy. No matter the reason schoolwork hasn’t been the first thing on your radar, there is still time to change that!
3. Learn from your failures
Take a look at the mistakes you made on your last exam. Read the comments on your last essay. By pinpointing the places you made mistakes, you will know better for the next time you are tested. We know it can be disheartening to look at what you did wrong, but view it as a learning experience! Do not dwell on the mistakes, but use them as a way to improve.
4. Put in the extra effort
Extra credit can be hard to come by, so if you’re given the opportunity, do it! Not only will the points combat a bad grade on a major test or assignment, but your teacher will see that you are serious about succeeding in their class.
5. Don’t give up
Abandoning hope will keep you from succeeding. So do not accept defeat and continue to work hard! Even if you don’t end up with the grade you wanted, you will know that you did the very best you could. You never know, if a professor sees the effort you give, they might give you the boost you need to pass the class.
Everything can feel hopeless when you aren’t performing at your best. Know that you have what it takes to be successful at anything you set your mind to! If you find that you are struggling with more than one class, it may be time to make some more serious lifestyle changes, such as dropping an extracurricular or changing your major. Try not to stress; eventually, you will strike the balance that is right for you!