Category: Academics & Studying

Though it may seem like it, one grade will not ruin your life. I promise! It may, however, present a useful opportunity to reconsider some things. First, think about why you’re struggling. I recommend talking to the staff of the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors) if you want to improve your study methods or if you need a little extra help. If the issue isn’t your studying, consider whether it is your interest level. Perhaps this just isn’t your favorite subject. If so, you’re in luck! BC offers many wonderful departments on a range of subjects. You might talk to a trusted advisor or professor about options or meet with the Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career) to see what careers paths different subjects offer.

It wasn’t always this way, as you can learn in this fascinating article about the history of grades: bit.ly/history-of-grading (BC community access). Grading in the US evolved from European scholastic competitions, which worked something more like sports playoffs; the winners of final brackets went on to be supported by academic institutions for life. Yale was the first in the US to use a 4-point scale: “2” was satisfactory. Harvard and William & Mary adopted it. They often included non-academic criteria; a “0” at William & Mary meant “those who learned little or nothing… on account of excessive idleness.” K-12 schools followed suit. At first, grades were purely an internal pedagogical tool. Around 1900 as schooling became universal, grading became systematized as way to communicate externally.

There are many right ways to study, and some of it depends on your personality. But why not set up an appointment for academic coaching at the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors), and discuss your learning (and grade) goals with them?

Yes! The advice to the 3-day 15-pager is good: blocks of time, specific goals, rewards. The key is to make sure you set aside enough time.

You can do it. Don’t ask me how I know. Try carving out blocks of time and setting specific, challenging, but manageable goals for the time (x pages before 2 PM, for instance.) Give yourself small rewards when you meet the challenge. And then, after this paper is done, maybe talk to the CFLC (bit.ly/BC-connors) about academic coaching, so you don’t wind up in this situation again. Best of luck!

It can be tough to keep up with all of your coursework, so don’t be too hard on yourself! If the paper isn’t due yet, you might want to talk to your professor about an extension or talk to the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors) about techniques for finishing it up or suggestions for how to better manage your work in the future. Most of all, remember that grades (and particularly one single grade) aren’t the most important thing in life!

Is it emotionally hard (Ugh, I’m not motivated to study) or cognitively hard? (I study and study, but I don’t seem to understand the concepts)? If it’s emotions, ask yourself what would have to change for studying to be something you could face? Maybe sitting down with friends would help. Maybe you just need a cup of coffee, or 10 minutes of meditation or rest. If it’s thought processes, get a tutor through the CFLC: bit.ly/BC-connors. I also suggest this book: Learning from the learners : successful college students share their effective learning habits. (O’Neill Library LB2395 .L385 2018).