All Is Not Lost!
Believe it or not, it’s time for Fall Break!
If you are a student, it’s the likely the end of the 1st grading period or the middle of the semester and grades are being posted. Maybe all the things you planned to do at the beginning of the year have gotten lost in the piles of books you are supposed to be reading, the papers you have due, and the fun you are having. The “newness” has worn off and reality is staring you in the face.
These grades are a checkpoint, not the end of the road! Whether you’re grades are lower than you want or you’re overwhelmed and disorganized, I have good news. There is plenty of time to make changes. All is not lost!
What will it take to salvage the semester?
Personal Commitment - If you are in a position to need to salvage the semester, it’s because you have made some poor choices and/or you have some habits that don’t serve you well. Before you can improve your situation, you have to make the decision to change the things that are causing you to perform poorly. After you decide to act differently, you’ll have to be committed to continue acting differently when it’s not fun. Unless you are committed, you won’t improve. And, if you’re NOT committed, don’t waste your time.
Honest Assessment - When students are struggling, it’s essential to re-evaluate the situation and adjust accordingly. Ask yourself…
What is your goal?
What are you doing that’s working well?
What are you doing that’s not working?
What needs to change in order to get a better outcome?
Do you need help?
Accurate Information - If you have made it this far and you’re willing to do the work to improve, you are going to need the most current information related to your school policies and your classes.
Is it still possible to pass the class and get credit? If it’s not, stop spending time and energy on a “lost cause”.
Can you drop the class without a penalty? Before dropping a class, make sure you know all the ramifications related to your grade, the credit, scholarship implications, full-time student status, etc.
What campus resources are available to me? What do I have to do to access them?
Effective Action - All that’s left now is to get busy and do what it takes!
Read and re-read the syllabus for EVERY CLASS! It’s the instruction manual for what to do, when to do it, and how you’ll be evaluated. It is the single most important document in every class you take. It should be your first place to go to find what you need for your class.
Visit your professor to discuss your performance. Don’t ask for unearned grades or special treatment. Instead, ask about what you can do to improve your performance. Cultivating this relationship is helpful as you continue to work through the semester and ask for help.
Focus forward. If there are options to turn in late/missed assignments, make a plan for doing that. Otherwise, don’t dwell on the things you didn’t do that cannot be changed. Instead, prioritize upcoming work and creating a plan to complete the remaining requirements.
Fall break is more than just a pause; it’s a powerful opportunity for a reset. Yes, take a break and have some fun! Then, use this time to move beyond the slump and finish the semester proud of your effort and your results.
