Poor Grades Suck, Here's How to Deal With It

We all know the feeling. You finished writing the test or paper, handed it in, maybe talked about the answers you got with your friends. Walking home, you know that wasn’t your best evaluation.

The grade comes back, and it isn’t great. Poor grades definitely suck - but how do you deal with it? Keep reading for some tips to get past the grade.

Tip 1 - Know what you did wrong or what you could have done better

Knowing what actually went wrong or what you messed up on makes it a lot easier to handle, and it’s important for comprehension. You wouldn’t want to make the same mistake twice! Ensure that if you get something wrong on a test, that you write down the solution and how to get the right answer for next time (such as when you are studying for the final exam). If it was something that didn’t have a black and white answer, such as an english or history paper, ask the teacher what they were expecting for that particular question, or look at the work of someone who did well. Instead of letting this seem like a pain, think of it as an advantage for next time, because you will be more prepared as to what to expect moving forward.

Tip 2 - Ask yourself the golden question

“Is it going to matter in 5 years?” If the answer is no, then it’s probably not worth stressing about. If you cannot do anything about it now, your energy is more useful going towards something else - either relaxing and cooling down, or working on the next task ahead.

Tip 3 - Silly mistakes

Though painful when they are made, try and minimize silly mistakes (ones that you know can be prevented) by being as careful as possible on the test or paper. Read over your answers, look for grammatical errors, and make sure what you are saying or proving actually makes sense! If it’s not a test, it’s also a good idea to peer edit your work before submitting it (if allowed). Your teacher may also be able to provide some feedback and insight into what you’re doing, so you aren’t shocked when the results come back.

Takeaway:

Your grades do not define you. Channel any stress you have about the most recent assignment into passion for the next one - prove them wrong!