We鈥檝e all been there. And let us be the first to tell you: it鈥檚 going to be okay. But most of the time, poor grades on your transcript are avoidable. It鈥檚 not like you get As on all of your papers and then all of a sudden get a C in the class because the teacher feels like it. Course grades are a cumulative reflection on how you did over a period of time, and oftentimes, students don鈥檛 react as quickly as they should to warning signs like Bs or Cs on papers or tests before the final grades are submitted.
We actually see these moments as opportunities for improvement and connection; improvement in your work accuracy and connection with your teacher. The key is to act quickly and seek help upon receiving a poor grade on any assignment so that it doesn鈥檛 impact your overall grade in the course.
The ultimate goal is to set a meeting with your teacher to determine next steps and ensure that this one bad grade doesn鈥檛 turn into a pattern. This not only shows that you care about your grade, but it shows that you鈥檙e willing to spend your free time and go above and beyond to understand what the teacher is looking for and how to improve. That counts for a lot. Think about it: if you have an 89.3 average and your teacher is debating whether or not to round up to a 90 (A-), or round down to 89 (B+), and you鈥檝e been coming in once-a-week for self-guided tutoring? They鈥檙e getting that A-.
Here are the five steps you need to complete to ensure that one C on a paper or test doesn鈥檛 spiral into a bruise on your transcript:
Collect your thoughts (and take a deep breath)
Okay. Here we are. You get your assignment back, along with everyone else, and you flip it over. It鈥檚 not good. You either quickly shove it in your folder or begin to get a bit panicky. Or, if you鈥檙e like us, both. Firstly, try to take a deep breath and do your best to table the issue until you get home after school. It鈥檚 okay to take the day to just get through it, complete all of your meetings and obligations, and to do so excellently. Don鈥檛 let it turn into a shame spiral, but don鈥檛 forget about it. We鈥檙e just tabling it.
Gather your data
When you get home, retrieve the dreaded test or paper and carefully review the comments and feedback alone. Notice where you went wrong and where the points of contention were. And then read it over again with a blank sheet of paper next to you to write down themes.
If it鈥檚 a test, are there concepts that seem to be missing or confusing for you across the board? Like, did you get all three questions about the cell structure wrong? That likely means that you鈥檙e missing a chunk of the curriculum and need specific clarification. This is particularly important to pay attention to in math classes, because they鈥檙e cumulative. Or were your errors more scattered and less consistent than that?
It鈥檚 also important to think about how you approached completing the assignment. If it鈥檚 a test, do you have one way of studying? What is it? That鈥檚 helpful to share with your teacher. And if it鈥檚 a paper, were the expectations clear? Was there a rubric? Take notes on any and all themes that you鈥檙e noticing. And, questions. Write down any and all questions that are unclear to you. The more data you have, the better, in terms of feedback, questions, and areas for improvement. And if you truly don鈥檛 know what went wrong, that鈥檚 okay. That can be the guiding question that you bring to the table. But do your research.
Reaching out
Email your teacher or speak to them in-person the next day once you鈥檝e gotten some sleep and armed yourself with data. Keep it brief and plan to offer some times you might have available within the first 48 hours of receiving the grade. The email can go something like this:
Dear Mr. Math,
I hope you鈥檙e well. I was truly disappointed to receive my recent grade and would very much like to schedule a time to review it with you. I have free periods on Tuesdays at 11am and am free during lunch. Please let me know the soonest you might be available.
Thank you,
Student
An in-person conversation might go something like this:
鈥淗i Mr. Math. How are you? I鈥檇 love to find a time to come in and sit down with you to review my recent test grade. When might work for you today or tomorrow?鈥�
Preparing for the conversation
Alright, it鈥檚 on the calendar. Prepare for this conversation by reviewing your data. Be prepared to review themes and questions with your teacher. Your goals are to:
Diagnose the problem
The themes! Discuss them with your teacher and ask them if they agree or disagree.
Gain clarification
The questions! Ask them and take notes.
Create next steps
The solution! Will you come in for tutoring? Can you do an extra-credit assignment to improve your grade on this assignment? What are the concrete next steps that you can put in place to address this issue? Your teacher will help you come up with a plan.
Following Up
It鈥檚 all about execution and holding yourself accountable. Regardless of what you decided, it鈥檚 crucial that you follow-through. So be realistic about your time commitments to one-on-one meetings and deadlines moving forward. The clearer you are about your desire to improve and the tangible steps that you can take to turn your grade around, the better the outcome will be.
Let us know if you have any questions. Getting a bad grade can be tough, but the worst thing you can do is to sweep it under the rug and hope that it鈥檒l go away. We can help.