College life is one of the most beautiful times of one’s life. The role college life serves is beyond expectations and reality, as when we enter college there are parts of dreams, achievements, fun, and enthusiasm all over the place. Everybody wants an exciting college life, right? This transition phase from high school to college is an extreme point to search for ourselves. You get exposure to things you couldn’t have in high school. The studies, the friend circle, the adventures, and the failures & successes. To sum up, college is all about learning academically, how the world around you works, and what society lives up to. That’s why, sometimes it can be overwhelming and for that reason, you are here reading this article, is it not? Let’s know what to do when Failed in a Class in College?
It doesn’t matter how bright or brilliant a student has been in his/her past academics. Because college changes perspective towards studies and life. College is the phase where a lot is going on around you and you need to find ways to participate. Thus, sometimes in between this too much going on, let you undermine the studies because it is difficult to balance everything. And this is one of the core reasons why people fail classes or classes in college, even talented students. Now, don’t worry it surely is a matter of concern but know that it isn’t the end of the world. There are ways you can fix your grades in time to graduate with a good percentage. Anyway, your college degree is not the only certificate that reflects your skills. Today, the job hunt is as wild as it can get and numerous companies focus more on the skills you can perform rather than what your degree holds.
What can you do if you are failing a class in college? How to fix your grades? Let’s talk briefly about these matters and why this happens? What to do about it?
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS IF YOU ARE FAILING IN COLLEGE?
Failing a class, failing a test in college happens to everyone at least once in their life. So, don’t panic due to it. It can be handled very easily with a bit of patience and focus. Here is a list of things you should do if you are failing in college.
Have a conversation with your professor.
The professor and teaching assistants are supposed to help you with these matters of failing or any issue with your study, it is their job. Don’t feel shy or hesitant to ask ‘what I can do to get back on track?’. The approach towards your professor, asking about your failing is important which reflects you want to do extra work or study to balance out the damage. Clarify your problems and ask for help with the concepts you weren’t able to catch and practice more and more. Remember professors or teaching assistants can only guide you but you have to do the heavy work. You have to put the effort into studying, practicing, and solving. Sometimes, professors can help to form a study group or ask a brilliant kid to help you in your studies.
Find resources to help you
Other than classes, there are many ways to study a subject. And with today’s online approach to education, there are materials, ideas, and innovative ways of teaching that one can access. There are thousands of websites providing tutorials and academic resources. The purpose is to repetitively try to understand where you are experiencing the issue and try to clear it out.
Extra help doesn’t cost anything
For some people, it can be difficult to admit that they are failing a class. So, the option to ask for help from their peers gets canceled. But to up your grades, you should take help from others. Your peers may understand your problem more accurately and help to find a solution. There is also a chance that you are not alone in this situation. Chat with your mates to understand the aspect of the subjects and provide a support system.
Gain extra credits
Most of the curriculums provide extra credits that you can opt for and balance the credits you lost in the failing class. This may include assignments, projects, or any other extra activity. Extra credit can be given for any extra work you could do in a class related to your subject. For example, if you are failing history literature class, for the extra credit you can work on a project portraying the transition of literature with women over time. Or you can read a novel related to the topic like the book thief and review it.
Set a study routine
If you want to dedicate your time to pass your class, try to stick to a schedule. Give at least two to three hours focusing on your academic issues. Invest in studying the subject thoroughly which are your weak points. Remember, there is always room for improvement and give your cent percent. Having an action has many benefits so, figure out your plan and failures that should be your motto. You need to get in-depth about what bothers you, why you aren’t able to understand, and what are your weak points.
Positivity is the key
With the needful practice and studying, what else it demands is patience, power, and positivity. These three P’s can benefit you the most when you are behind. Mental stability is by far the most important to tackle failing in class situations. Plan out your interest and disinterest to make your way to the goal. Participate in the class, try to answer the questions, and be a part of the discussion. Positivity is longevity, that is the more positive you stay, the longer you’ll hustle.
Now that we have mentioned the ways to take when failing a class. Let’s look into the matter, why does someone fail a class? There can be numerous reasons but we want to know what in general puts off the students.
REASONS BEHIND FAILING
The reasons one fails in a class can be subjective. But in a way or another, everyone faces difficult situations which hinder them mentally and physically. The potential reasons for failure are:
- No balance between personal and professional life, as many students want to earn and do part-time jobs which take too much of them.
- Not being attentive in classes, and is more oriented towards the fun side of the college.
- The subjects don’t interest you anymore. It isn’t something that excites you.
- Some people get along to opt for so many things that there is no room left, and which can overwhelm them. Resulting in them to cannot focus on everything, which leads to a mess.
- There can be family or personal life issues like friends, relationships, etc.
- No mental stability due to various reasons.
- The fear of the future taking the best of the present.
- Procrastinating is the biggest flex of all.
- Taking things lightly because at some point you know things will work out.
- You don’t click with the professor or teaching assistant. There is no guidance.
When you can pinpoint the reason why you are failing, then it’ll be easier to fix it. Well, with a few matters at hand and taken into consideration at the right time, you can raise your grade. But what are the consequences if it won’t work? There are very slim chances that you will reach this point if you do all that we mentioned above. Yet, it is important to know the consequences of failing a class in college.
THE CONSEQUENCES
Failing a class in college directly affects the gradation and overall credit in your course or degree. There are several outcomes one should be aware of when failing a class. The list of consequences –
1. Affecting the GPA
Grade point average (GPA) is the calculated numerical value assigned as a grade on the grade points earned and taking the average by the number of classes opt for. Different curriculums often follow a different set of credit or grade points for the same subject. The system of GPA is vastly used and the calculation may sound simple but can be complex in some universities. There is also an option to choose which subjects to be counted under GPA or not. If you fail a class, you are bound to retake the class and pass it.
2. The retakes of class
As mentioned above, you need to retake a class if you fail. Usually, the retakes are for major or core subjects in your course. And for elective classes, you can give the exam once again after a year but not necessarily to attend classes. The procedure regarding taking the exams again varies from school to university. There can also be a limited number of attempts provided for the retake.
3. Dismissal
According to the policy of failing class, one can be dismissed if failed a certain number of classes in a row. Colleges are competitive and want to find talented people for the program. And at some point, respect one’s potential to encourage them in things they are good at. So, the dismissal can be the worst nightmare for some people, who have come through scholarships or low financial backgrounds.
4. Cutting your financial aid
Some schools provide financial aid to the needy, which is a great service. But there are conditions on the academic probations if you fail a class then it may or may not be provided. The same goes with scholarships as well, they mark the students’ talent and appreciate it by providing financial aid. But when the students start to fail, they won’t be investing the money in them. Thus, check the terms of any financial aid if you are failing. We recommend going through the conditions of financial aid before admission and try not to fail.
CONCLUSION
The situation where you face failing a class is discomforting and sets you back sometimes. What one should remember is, you can do it, you just need to push a little harder. No matter how tough academics is for you, with great determination and strength not to give up you can do anything. There are resources, support, and guidance you just need to take one step at a time. Because tackling failure is to stand against it with full confidence. And what is college life if you haven’t failed a class? A successful person learns from their mistakes, anyway. Because the lesson one takes from failures is the one they remember for a lifetime.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
1. Does failing a class in college affect my CV?
No. Failing a class is never reflected on your degree which means no part in your CV. Failing a class in college isn’t the end. It is a start because many people get lost when they enter college. And by one failure, they are set on track. It doesn’t mean failures are meant to be or that, it is a good thing to have failures. However, the idea of failure reflects you had a rough phase and now you emerge as a successful person. So, you don’t have to worry about failing in a class making a mark on your CV.
2. I failed a class in college, should I drop college?
No. Absolutely no. There is no need to drop out of college because you failed one class. Yes, in the case of several classes and mental pressure may make people drop. But dropping out means an end, and then what? If it would have been the case, 80% of the population would have been dropouts. The curriculum of education is made for such mishaps which provide chances to maintain their credit score in any way possible. The system for failing class is supportive as it can get, which have various options. Hence, dropping out isn’t the solution, try harder and won’t give up.
