Author: Isha
I am sure we have all gone through the time where we have gotten a grade that we are not happy with. The obvious way to approach this problem is to understand why and how this test/exam went awry for you. In this post, I will provide you with some tips that will help your way around this problem smoothly and successfully.
In some cases, a poorly designed test may be to blame as the material you were tested on was not the same as what you were told would be on the test or what was taught in class. If that is the case, it is likely that you are not the only unhappy one, your classmates may be facing the same frustration. To handle this problem, it is best to respectfully speak your teacher with your classmates by your side. Hopefully this will show your teacher that your concerns are legitimate and serious, so that they can find an appropriate solution.
A common reason behind getting a bad grade is being under prepared due to not studying enough. This may be hard to come to accept, but it is crucial for you to realize this issue as soon as you can. Identifying why you were unprepared is the first step towards being better prepared for the next test. Managing your personal life, social life, and other activities with your school work is an integral part of how you perform on such assessments. You should be able to reflect on the aspects of your life and divide your time according to your priorities.
Lastly, using the wrong or insufficient resources is another possible reason for not performing to your expectations. If you feel that this is the case, you should look through the resources (ex: textbooks, notes, lecture material) that are available to you to find the correct combination of things you need to be successful in the class. Discussing your study techniques with your peers may also help you learn about new study methods.
Although I understand how discouraging it feels to receive undesirable bad grade, it is important to understand that assessments are meant to be learning experiences that mold us to become better. Keeping that in mind, consider John Wooden’s words:
Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do”.
