For example, if the teacher speaks very quickly and you have a hard time taking notes during class, ask for permission to record the lectures. That way, you can listen to them again later at your own pace.
Many instructors will be able to give you helpful study tips or insights on how to perform better on assignments. In some cases, you might even be given an extension on assignments you are struggling to complete on time. Don’t wait until the last minute to communicate with your teacher. If they don’t hear from you until the end of a course, there may not be much that can be done at that stage even if the instructor would like to help. Further, if you don’t communicate with the teacher early, they may assume you just don’t care about your performance in the course.
While you probably still won’t be able to get full credit for a revised assignment, many instructors will be open to this possibility, because it shows you want to learn from your mistakes and improve your performance. For this reason, many instructors will be more open to this than offering extra credit opportunities. [2] X Research source In making this request, explain that you would appreciate another opportunity to show you have mastered the material. Try to make it about demonstrating what you have learned, not just about a grade.
If you have a course syllabus, look at what the instructor’s policy is for late work. This will give you some sense of how likely it is your request will be granted. [3] X Trustworthy Source Association for Psychological Science Nonprofit organization devoted promoting trustworthy research and education in the psychological sciences Go to source If you missed work for medical reasons, be prepared to show documentation of your illness if possible. Many instructors require this. If you miss an assignment or exam due to illness, a crisis, or some other unavoidable situation, let your instructor know as soon as possible. You will be more likely to be given a chance to make up the work if you do so.
If you don’t see any listed in the syllabus, it doesn’t hurt to ask if there will be any opportunities of this sort. While many teachers are unlikely to create an extra credit assignment just for you, if enough people ask, they may offer an opportunity like this to all the students. Do not beg for extra credit. Instead, think in advance about some reasons you can offer for why you should be granted an opportunity to earn extra points. Be prepared to make a strong case for your position. Arguments such as “I really need to pass this class” are unlikely to take you far.
For example, if 60% of your grade comes from exams, you should spend the majority of your work time studying for exams. On the other hand, if 60% of your grade comes from papers or other assignments, you should focus a large portion of your energy there. Calculate the scores you need to achieve on the remaining assignments to pass the class. You could even use an online calculator to help you figure this out, such as http://www. benegg. net/grade_calculator. html. In most college courses, this information should be spelled out in the syllabus. If your teacher hasn’t provided this information for you in printed form or on a course website, don’t hesitate to ask.
For example, if you do very well on coursework assignments, but are struggling with exams, you want to consider spending less time on the coursework and more time preparing for tests.
In an ideal world, every student would have time to come to every class, regularly review their notes, and do every assignment. For a variety of reasons, many students cannot. It may feel wrong to neglect certain aspects of a class in favor of others, but sometimes it’s better to skip (or not dedicate much time to) one assignment in favor of another. Likewise, sometimes studying for a major exam is more important than doing a less important homework assignment. [6] X Research source For example, imagine coursework makes up 30% of your final grade, and you currently have a 90% average on your coursework assignments. Imagine exams make up 40% of your grade, and you only have a 52% in this area. If there’s both a major exam and a piece of coursework due next Friday, it probably makes sense to spend the bulk of your time studying for the exam, even if that might mean skipping the coursework entirely.
When you go to office hours, come with specific questions or topics you want to discuss or review. This will help you get focused attention where you most need it. Furthermore, most teachers don’t appreciate it when students come to office hours with no idea what they want to cover. Do not just bring your homework or study guide to office hours and ask the instructor to fill it out for you. Teachers find this very frustrating.
Study groups allow students to pool their knowledge and understanding of the course, sharing information with each other and creating a regular study schedule. [8] X Research source Ask people you know in the course if they are studying with other people. If you can’t find a study group, you might try to start one yourself by asking other students if they’d be interested in participating in one.
Many schools offer free tutoring services to students in the form of writing or tutoring centers. There is usually no additional cost for using these services. [9] X Research source Find out if your school has such a program, and when it’s open. You may need to make an appointment, so find out about that, too. If you have the money, you can also hire a private tutor to work with you. You can either hire an individual tutor or enlist the services of a tutoring business. Look online and on bulletin boards around your school to find out what services may be offered near you. Your school’s website may even have listings for tutors available to help in different subject areas. [10] X Research source
Even if material from class sessions is duplicated in course readings, attending class will give you a sense of where you should focus your studies. Attending class gives you a chance to ask about material you are confused by or having trouble with. Some teachers include an attendance score in calculating final grades. Even those that don’t are less likely be accommodating with extra help for students who don’t come to class, as they appear to not be making an effort.
As with poor attendance, teachers often don’t look favorably upon students who don’t show up on time. Being late is disrespectful and disruptive. If you need help from your teacher in the form of extensions or extra credit, being on time regularly may make the teacher more likely to be lenient.
Many classes have a participation component in the final grade, sometimes a large one. [14] X Research source Not participating can mean losing valuable points. Being attentive in class will help you better understand the material. Asking questions in class can help you grasp challenging concepts, and also signals to the instructor that you are engaged and trying your best.
Notes can be the basis for a study guide when it comes time to study for exams. Taking notes helps reinforce the material in your brain and will help you remember it later. [15] X Research source Taking notes by hand, rather than with a computer, is thought to be especially helpful in making material easier to remember and understand. [16] X Trustworthy Source Association for Psychological Science Nonprofit organization devoted promoting trustworthy research and education in the psychological sciences Go to source This can be more challenging, but for many people helps significantly with recalling information.
Even getting an “F” on a homework assignment you struggle with is much better than getting no points at all. Many assignments will be designed to teach and reinforce information or ideas that will be important later in the course, e. g. on exams. [17] X Research source If you have free time in class to do homework, then look over the assignment and ask questions about it if you are having trouble. Doing assigned readings is important, too. Most teachers will not assign a reading just to give you something to do. Course readings typically contain important information which may not be covered in lectures or other class sessions. [18] X Research source
When you read for class, underline, highlight, or take notes indicate ideas or information that seems most important. This will make review go more quickly and easily. [19] X Research source Create a study guide before exams that lists or visually maps the most important concepts and ideas. Go over it several times to make sure you are comfortable with all of the main course concepts. Start studying early. Don’t try to just cram on the night before the exam. Studying throughout the course, or at least for several days leading up to an exam, will give you more chances to rehearse the information and commit it to memory.
