Before considering dropping out or withdrawing from a course, a student should work to put themselves in the best possible position to succeed by using the tools available on and off campus. Here are the steps students should take as soon as they know their grade is at risk.
- Talk to the teacher The first step is to ask the teacher for help. “If a student knows they are failing, they should contact the professor immediately and request a meeting during office hours,” says Joseph Croskey, director of the Center for College Advisory Services at Clarion University in Pennsylvania. “If it’s at the beginning of the semester, the professor can help the student map out a course to get a passing grade at the end.” Once the student-teacher relationship is established and a plan is in place, students should seek out the additional resources available to them. Professors are likely to make specific recommendations, and most campuses have many academic resources to help struggling students.
- Find out what you need to do to succeed Ask your teacher to help you understand the class grading system. Get a detailed picture of the progress of upcoming assignments or grades you need to pass. For example, you may need to get a B on each of the next tests to increase your GPA.
- Using student services on campus “There are often successful centers that provide services,” says Kathleen Ellwood, consultant, coach and mentor for Clarion University’s Leadership and Innovation Liaison Group. “Students may have a documented learning disability and should contact the Office of Disability Services for assistance with testing issues. If other issues are stressing them out and preventing them from studying, they can seek out appropriate counseling resources.
- Talk to your Academic Advisor or Academic Coach Advisors can help you act on your behalf and advocate for you. They are there to help students plan a long-term path to achieve their academic goals and may face obstacles along the way. “Some schools also offer academic coaches who can help students with study strategies, time management, and other skills,” says Ellwood.
- Finding a Tutor Students can find tutors on campus through Student Resource Centers. Students also often find tutors online and through academic help centers. No matter the subject, there is someone who can help you. Especially for areas related to repetition or process like math or science, it’s important to have someone on hand to monitor your study habits and understanding of the material.
- Connect with other students If the lesson is difficult for you, the other students probably are too. Croskey recommends taking notes and discussing them daily with other students in an informal peer study group.
“Test the content every day. Study in a supportive environment without distractions,” says Croskey. Sometimes the key to understanding something is to hear it explained differently. Talk to as many people as possible about the topic. - Use online resources Khan Academy, or even YouTube, can help you in many areas,” Croskey says. Watch videos, do more research, get reps with the right casting systems. Everything it helps.
- Keep a positive attitude interest in the subject.Think positively about the class and the workload.If you can make it interesting, the knowledge is more likely to stick, and the learning will be a better experience, Croskey says, about the subject and what the teacher presents. Your ability to pay attention and concentrate can be improved with the right attitude,” she says.
- Get extra credits, if possible Your teacher may assign you work that you can do to improve your grade, or at least give you additional study material. Take advantage of these opportunities as it will show a desire to succeed and end the lesson on a high note.
Check your college’s policies
Each college maintains different policies on failing grades. The same goes for university departments. Spend some time researching these policies to learn more about your options.
Will D count towards your general education requirements? Is there a limit to the number of times you can retake a failed course? Can anyone retake a failed course or just first year students?
Elective subjects
If you fail an elective subject, you will need to pass another subject to get the credit points. You can try the same optional course again or choose a different option (worth the same number of credit points).
Retry Subject: When you retry a failed subject, you receive no credit (academic or financial) for the previous attempt. You must complete all assessments and assignments (you cannot resubmit submitted work) and you must pay the normal fees.
What happens if you fail your second year of college?
Universities generally allow students to repeat failed modules, which means that failing your second year of university should not end your university career. After all, passing the first year should be in your favor because it tells the educational institution that you are capable.
Here’s what happens if you fail second year of college: