how to deal with bad grades
"it's NOT fine."
You’ve been studying for days, sacrificing time and sometimes meals (don’t) but it happens, just for that one exam that seems to be your world now.
You’re sitting in a class with a bunch of friends, waiting anxiously for your teacher to distribute the papers and rubbing your hands against each other, internally debating whether you’re either getting full marks or you’re barely passing.
The teacher, oblivious to your anxiety, simply hands you your paper. You look down to see 6/40. God, that moment of anxiety was better than what you’re feeling right now.
Your stomach drops and the feeling of disappointment takes over. You’re sad, embarrassed, disappointed, and mad.
“Dude, it’s okay. It’s fine, it’s just a mid-term,” your friend tries to console you.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt her that she got a 37 without even studying much. Hell, you even gave her your notes.
“But, it’s not fine,” you say, which she doesn't hear.
Tears spring to your eyes because you worked for it. You gave up going to a family event, having your favorite take-out and reading your favorite book in bed because you would end up sleeping on your study desk.
It isn’t fair.
Sounds familiar? As a law school student who was a top graduate of her school, this is far too real and I have experienced this myself too. “Maybe I didn’t work as hard.” But I did and it never seemed proportionate to the grades I get.
If there is one thing I can tell you, it’s inevitable. I know you want to hit me through the screen, but what I mean is that it happens to everyone. I know a student who missed her chance of becoming a valedictorian for a subject she worked two years endlessly on.
But I’m here to tell you how to deal with it. Bad grades are just as important as good grades because you learn how to deal with it, learn to improve so the next time a big A is on your report card, it’s more satisfying than ever.
So, here’s your guide on how to deal with a bad grade.
1. Don’t sweep under the rug
You probably want to hide your grades from everyone because you might disappoint your parents or you’re embarrassed after seeing your friend’s scores. It’s your choice to tell anyone or not,ot but I find it better to share it.
Maybe not publicly like “I JUST FAILED A CLASS” but maybe writing it in my diary or even telling it to a trusted person. It feels better to get it out of me and share it with someone or something (diary).
Sleep the evening or maybe the days after. Have a big bowl of ramen and watch your favorite show.
Feel your emotions. Don’t hide it. Don’t ignore it.
2. Take immediate action
I'm sorry if you think I’m too much of a rush or that I don’t care about your well-being, but I find that for the most part, I feel better working back on my goals.
I might pillow fort pout for a few days, but I need to get back into a system and the feeling that I'm still trying and reaching for my dreams helps me understand myself, and I feel that way, I'm more kind to myself.
So take out your books once again, or your test paper, see where you went wrong and analyse your answers to the comments given by your teacher. The next day, ask your on how you can improve. Most likely she will be willing to share tips and help you get the grade you want.
Also, while we are here, I know and have had teachers who will push you down.
“Oh so now you want to work hard? Where were you when you missed all those classes?”
Please don’t take it to heart. If anything, let that motivate you and get better grades than ever. Don’t ever let someone stop you from reaching your full potential.
Changes to make
Here are two things you should NEVER do, whether you have bad grades or you just started the academic year:
Study the day before the exam.
No you won’t remember it better. Maybe if it’s for one test, sure. But for exams that have 300+ pages of reading, you won’t be able to. I had a practice test for my law school. I thought it was common knowledge and barely passed it. For the actual test that is being counted, I revised and got way better marks. I had a week gap and utilised it very efficiently.
Give up
I also gave up many times during my final year of high school. I would do nothing and just lie. But I still got one of the highest grades. How? Because, even if I felt tired for one day, I got up and stuck my head in books.
Instead, if you feel like you're sluggish or just sitting in front of your books, not doing any actual studying, here’s what you can do.
Download the phone locker app.
No, I have not gone insane. Just block out your phone for a few hours while you’re studying.
If you feel you can’t focus or care about your studies, open a practice exam and take it. Most of the time, you’ll get humbled like this. If you can, congrats, now do an even more advanced paper.
Open YouTube and do a quick leg workout. This not only helps you get exercises but also makes you feel refreshed. It helps you to focus way better.
Cycle
Everyone goes through cycles of productivity and days of complete doom-scrolling. I can't sit here and tell you, that’s wrong! Because I do that LOL.
But what I want you to take away from today’s post is to understand that it happens to everyone. But taking action quickly and correctly is what will set you apart from others.