by Michelle B. Smith

Created on: November 20, 2009

Most students and parents do not waste their hard earned money for failing grades. Even though failing grades cause anxiety and shame, do not fear. If you have time left before the end of the semester, there are a few things you can do to go from failure to fabulous.

Chances are that your study habits and daily activities are contributing to your failing grades. If you paid attention in class you would know, "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" is a quote by Einstein. You would also know that you cannot remain inactive with your schoolwork and expect superb grades.

The first thing you should do is evaluate yourself. Do you frequently miss classes? Actually going to the classes you are failing is a start. Make sure to sit in the "T" zone. That is, sit in the front row or the middle isle seats. Students who sit in this zone usually do better. Some feel that they are being watched by the teacher more closely so cannot drift off as easy. Start to take notes in your classes. Note taking does not end when your class is over. While there are various different styles of note taking, rewriting notes after class is beneficial throughout all of them. During your rewrites make sure that you actually understand what your teacher said. Write down questions to bring to the next class if you are still confused.

Do you go out every night to party or spend hours on Facebook? When is the last time you spent more than one hour studying? If you cannot say that you have tried your best to get good grades then you have not tried hard enough. Start dedicating a certain portion every day to studying. This may seem overly studious but it is easier to retain information over time than all at once. Many students find it helpful to go to the library to study since the setting is more educational than their dorm room. You will most likely find more students in the library than you think. If the library is not your style, find a place that works for you. Being in your dorm room may work. Remember to ask your roommates to be respectful while you study. You may want to explain to them that you are having difficulty and truly need the quiet.

Once you have changed your study habits and daily activities, reach out to your teacher. Surprisingly, teachers do want you to do well. Since you have prepared a list of questions to ask when rewriting notes, you will be ready for this initial meeting. Let your teacher know your concerns and have an honest

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