by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: November 19, 2009   Last Updated: November 30, 2009

For a college student who has never come face to face with the prospect of failing a class, the predicament may feel like the end of the world. There are undoubtedly many reasons for which you might find yourself in this situation. It could be that you are trying to juggle too much by working full time and going to school. It could be that your course load is unrealistically heavy, and you don't have the necessary prerequisites for the class you are failing, or it could be as simple as ineffective time management.

How then do you deal with the imminent reality of failing a class?

*Deal with the problem now -

The most important thing that you can do when you discover that you are failing or about to fail a class is deal with it before it's too late. Figure out what it is that is causing you to fail the class. If it is because of an inability or unwillingness to manage time efficiently or do the required work for the course, then all of the burden of fixing the problem falls squarely on your shoulders.

You need to decide whether you are willing to adjust your lifestyle and do whatever you have to do to ensure that you pass the class. If you've been ill, get a note from the doctor. That may give you some extra time to do whatever it is you need to do.

If you are failing a class because you have an inordinately large class load, drop the class you are failing before your overall GPA is jeopardized. Dropping the class is a wiser move than trying to stick it out when you already have an intensely demanding course load.

Every student has a faculty advisor who helps them decide what courses to take to best fulfill the student's goals and aspirations. Talking to your advisor is a great place to start first because they can help you see what you need to do next.

*Talk to the professor -

Go talk to the professor. The best way to find out how to improve your grade or to find out specifically, what you are doing wrong or what you aren't doing that you should be doing is to ask the professor. A professor who sees a student taking responsibility for their own predicament will likely be much more sympathetic and willing to help.

Perhaps the professor will connect you with a student who is doing extremely well, so that that student can assist you and help you understand what you are not understanding.

*Develop effective time management and study skills

It is critical that every college student learn how to manage their time properly and effectively. This goes hand

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