Make a Triumphant Comeback After Receiving a Bad Grade with These 5 Tips

By Amelia Woolard

Got a bad grade? We’ve all experienced that a few times throughout our educational career, whether we like it or not. And if we’re being honest, it can send you into an undeniable state of stress, coupled with feelings of hopelessness and frustration. Plus, if you’re on a scholarship that requires a certain GPA, you may be additionally upset with yourself for not pulling through and making the grade. All worries aside, a bad grade doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world.

Although it may be hard to pull yourself from your mental slump, you must be a little more understanding with yourself. Think of it this way: you’re a college student overwhelmed from classes, assignments, and requirements. Maybe you didn’t have time to devote to studying as hard as you should have, or perhaps, you overestimated your understanding of the topics at hand. Either way, instead of sulking in disappointment, make the ultimate comeback by taking action now with uCribs’ list of five ways to move on from a bad grade.

Monitor Your Classes Online

How often do you find yourself glued to your phone checking for the latest posts on your social media newsfeeds? Probably more than you should—especially when there are so many courses to study for and so little time to do it. As much as social media likes to keep your attention, it can be the biggest distraction when your priorities must be kept in line. Instead of focusing on the most Instagrammable pics, we suggest you devote your online time to monitoring your grades, checking for assignments, and reading any additional material provided by your professors.

Whether your school utilizes Blackboard, Moodle, or some other learning management system, every university hosts an online portal that allows students to access vital information throughout the semester. Granted, it’s easier to check only your letter grades before moving on, but we believe it’s important to take a closer look at your assignments and examine your professors’ comments to see where improvements can be made.

Additionally, your professors use online learning management systems to expedite certain process such as sharing pertinent resources that may help you on the next exam or with your final paper. If you don’t have time for one-on-one office hours to pinpoint your struggle with a certain class, then this step may be the next best solution in grasping certain vital material. Not to mention, it’s a great tool if you find yourself stuck with any assignment that might come your way.

Consider Tutoring Sessions Outside of Class

Stress can be one of the most common feelings amongst college students. You’re managing a full course load of up to 12 hours, working a job to maintain a reasonable student budget, actively participating in on-campus organizations, and adjusting to “adulting” as we all know it. With all of these responsibilities on your plate, it’s only so long before you become increasingly overwhelmed and deplete yourself physically and mentally. And sometimes, it’s just easier to give up on a subject completely, instead of dedicating more effort to studying something you don’t comprehend to begin with.

While we understand your train of thought, it might be beneficial to seek additional help from a tutor. Sure, it may seem a bit embarrassing—you chose your major, after all, so you should technically lie in the bed you made. Right? Wrong. Sometimes, you need a helping hand, and it doesn’t mean you’re unintelligent or lacking motivation—it simply boils down to subject comprehension. Simply put, you may have better luck with a tutor if you’re having trouble truly understanding your professor.

Tutors are beneficial for multiple reasons: they aid you in your understanding of coursework, provide personalized, one-on-one attention you won’t find inside the classroom, and boost your mental, emotional, and physical health—not to mention your grades! (Fingers crossed.) We know that the mere cost of a tutor can seem daunting to your tight budget, but most universities provide free tutoring on a variety of subjects. In fact, many are graduate students devoting their lives to the field, and with their passion and persistence, you shouldn’t have any trouble learning the subject from another informed perspective.

Redistribute Your Time Effectively

As an active, passionate college student, it’s likely that you’ve become involved in an on-campus organization or two. Not only are they great for your resume, but they also allow you to meet like-minded students such as yourself. Whether you joined the Student Government or sought out the camaraderie of Greek life, being involved in any organization takes a lot of dedication and energy. Additionally, your activities eat up a good deal of time with meetings, fundraisers, and other scheduled events.

Now, while this may seem a bit irrelevant with the subject at hand, allow us to slap some perspective on our divulgence: the time you devote to your extracurricular activities could be spent in more fruitful places— if you find yourself struggling with one of your courses, that is. Don’t forget that if you’re in bad academic standing, it could compromise your membership to these clubs, anyway. So, why not redistribute some of your time effectively and funnel it into focusing on this difficult class?

For example, you could schedule a series of meetings with your professor. This goes without being said, but professors love to see their students showing concern for their academics. It demonstrates your commitment to your education, shows that you are actively taking initiative to improve your understanding of a subject, and proves that you’re not someone solely concerned about the grade. So, instead of attending the meeting for Spanish Club this week, grab a coffee on campus with your prof and discuss the ways you can bounce back from this bad grade.

Focus on Upcoming Class Assignments

The moment has arrived. The project you have dedicated your blood, sweat, and tears to has been turned in, and the grade you weren’t necessarily expecting has been received. Now what? How can you bear the chaos of your student schedule any longer without the gratification of a job well done? That heart sinking feeling in your chest just won’t go away, and we can’t blame you for being unsure of what steps to take next. Naturally, you will want to disregard your upcoming assignments—but this would mean you’re giving up, and we cannot allow you to do that in good conscience.

You’re sure to have many more upcoming assignments, whether they’d be major papers, projects, or exams, that will surely impact your final grade. Spend time evaluating these assignments very carefully, making sure that you understand everything that is required of you. By looking at your syllabi in advance, you’ll be fully prepared for every assignment with no surprises in sight. It will also allow you the opportunity to seek outside resources, such as a tutor, before the due date arrives.

By planning way ahead, you’ll give yourself plenty of time to clear up any questions you might have regarding topics that might not be adding up in your head. We have to say we prefer this to the alternative: frantic pacing and possible crying, while you question why you waited so long to start this assignment. With Spring Break rapidly approaching, it would be a complete downer if your plans had to shift due to procrastination. Now, if that doesn’t motivate you to get a head start, we don’t know what will!

Create a Solid Plan of Action with a Planner

With so many responsibilities continually piling up on your already full plate, it may feel impossible to get all of your ducks in a row. But, if you create a promising plan that pushes you to stick to upcoming deadlines, you’ll often find yourself in the clear. That’s easier said than done, though—especially if you’re someone who’s always committed all of your assignments to memory.

If you don’t own a planner, it’s a good idea to invest in one. You can purchase one inexpensively at your local bookstore or arts and crafts store. Once you have one in your possession, map out every due date of the semester, including dates for any projects, presentations, or proposals. By doing this, you will never miss a beat and will better manage your time in the process. Don’t allow your unfortunate, high school-ingrained procrastination to win this fight.

Procrastination is the easiest way to have unnecessary points deducted from your work—especially when you’re struggling with an already difficult class. All of those late points that you have been accumulating could be the difference between the letter grade you receive versus the one you’re seeking. And what’s worse than racing against the clock to meet that 11:55 p.m. deadline, knowing you could have prevented all that headache with an investment in a brand-new planner, which is typically less than 20 bucks? Now, tell us…would it have been worth it?

Despite the disappointment you feel after receiving a bad grade, it’s time you pick your head up, take a deep breath, and tell yourself that this isn’t the end of your academic career as you know it. Make the choice to do something about your undesirable grade—whether you saw it coming or not— by utilizing all the options available to you. As you consider the different routes to take, keep in mind that you are often your toughest critic. But, even though you’re currently feeling at your lowest, there is hope, if you face this bad grade head on. With our suggestions, you’ll have the tools in your back pocket to complete the semester victoriously, like the champ you are!

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