Many of us have taken courses in college and received lower grades than we expected. Maybe you even failed or needed to retake a class. I was in this same situation my freshman year of college. After a lifetime of high academic achievement, failing a class my very first semester of college was humbling to say the least. However, a few semesters later, I have bounced back and have some advice for students who may be struggling academically.
In order to improve academically, you first need to identify what caused you to struggle in the first place. Below are a few common causes of bad grades, and some solutions.
Missing assignments
Forgetting assignments can easily bring down a grade in a class. To fix the problem, make a clear list of assignments. Keep it in a planner, google calendar, or somewhere where you can easily see it.
Procrastinating can also cause missing assignments. To prevent procrastination, set clear goals for yourself. For example: “I will start every assignment at least 3 days before it is due” or “I will start studying for every exam at least one week in advance.” Write these goals and put them somewhere you can easily see them!
Ineffective Study methods
Ineffective study methods are another grade-killer. This was something I struggled with my freshman year. Even though I spent hours studying in the library every week in the library, I was not very effective. I would often end up staring at the problems blankly, daydreaming, or going on my phone during my “study time.” After failing a class, I realized that my study methods needed re-evaluation.
The foundation of good study methods is focus. Evaluate what helps you focus. For example, do you prefer quiet spaces like the library or your dorm, or is a busy cafe a better environment? Is there a specific time of day when you study better? Does working out, taking breaks, caffeine, or music help or hurt your focus? Personally, I focus best in public places in the morning and early afternoon, so I build my study sessions around this.
Another important study tip I learned my freshman year is that different disciplines require different study methods. For more memorization-based courses like history, biology, psychology, and linguistics, writing out notes helps with memorization. Once you write out your notes, cover them up and try to explain what you have written down out loud.
For math, physics, and chemistry classes, focus on practice problems. While working on the practice problems, identify what specific types of problems are present and the steps to solve each of them. While each specific problem will be different, the method behind solving them will follow the same type of logic.
Not enough time spent studying
Sometimes, the issue isn’t study methods, it is a lack of time spent studying. A lot of courses, especially ones worth four or five credit hours, require students to spend a significant amount of time studying. I have two hacks I use to ensure I spend enough time studying for these courses. First, I time myself while I am studying. I start a timer when I start studying, and whenever I take a break or stop focusing, I pause the timer. I save this time in an app, where I can clearly see the number of hours I have spent on each class.
Second, I set clear goals for my study time and write it down in my planner. An example of one of these goals might be, “I will spend at least five hours this week studying chemistry, and I will complete problem sets 11 and 12.” These clear goals allow me to go into each study session knowing exactly what material I want to cover.
Lack of understanding
If you are still struggling with a course after making time to study and fixing your study methods, it may be time to reach out to a TA or professor. Going to office hours is a great way to improve your understanding of course material. If going to the professor’s office hours isn’t possible for you, send them an email or reach out to a TA!
Although talking to a professor or a TA is preferable, sometimes referencing additional studying materials can help. There are a ton of great YouTube videos and online courses available that can be a great addition to your studying. For STEM topics, I love The Organic Chemistry Tutor. His videos provide in-depth explanations of concepts and several practice problems. For an overview of biology, history, and political topics, I like watching Crash Course videos and documentaries. Remember that these should supplement your course-provided study materials, not replace them.
External factors
Factors like mental health issues and illness can also play a big role in academic performance. One resource that can be helpful for Ohio State students who are struggling is free counseling. All OSU students can receive 10 free counseling sessions per semester, which can be incredibly helpful in dealing with stress that may be making academic success difficult.
OSU also has Wellness Consultations that allow students to meet with someone for half an hour to get organized, discuss minor concerns or next steps. You can also do a 20-minute “Let’s Talk” call to vent about stress or discuss minor concerns with a counselor.
If you get sick at some point during the semester, reach out to your professors! I remember feeling hesitant to reach out when I was sick my freshman year, but ultimately it was the best move because professors want to help you. Try to reach out sooner rather than later, and don’t be afraid to ask for extensions on an assignment if necessary!
To everyone that may be struggling academically: keep your chin up! It’s important to remember you aren’t alone, and that with some tweaks to your studying and time management, you can succeed in any class!