CHALLENGE YOUR GRADE?

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Many of you have your midterms back now, and there is a chance, a very large chance, that some of you are not happy with the mark you got.

What to do?

At first, do nothing. Take time to cool off. Take time to analyze. Take time to strategize. Taking action in the heat of fear, disappointment, and anger is not likely to be your most effective approach. I cannot emphasize strongly enough: At first, do nothing. 

Cooling off

The first step is to deal with the feelings. Name your feelings: Fear? Anger? Shame? Disappointment? Other? Then accept those feelings, knowing that they are to be expected when we get a disappointing evaluation. Deal with them first by knowing that they are normal and can fade. 

Take a secure thought that is real for you—this was not your final grade for the course. You will have chances to improve your grade.

Do the emotion regulation that works for you. Go for a walk. Listen to music. Take your pet for a walk. Meditate. The feelings may still be there, but you are dealing.

Analyzing

Now kick your brain into gear. Go through the exam or paper. Ask:

  • Were there errors in the grading? (Check the instructor’s adding).
  • Do you disagree with some of the marks on some of the questions?
  • Do you not understand why a different answer was the correct answer on any that are marked wrong?
  • Did you misread a question?
  • Did you run out of time on the exam?
  • Did you study different material than the exam covered?
  • Were there questions you hadn’t studied for?
  • Were there questions you don’t know how to solve?
  • Was your studying too limited (life does happen)?
  • Was your studying ineffective?

Endorse for asking each of these questions. You are doing the right thing.

Consult with classmates. Were there some questions that a lot of students got wrong? Profs sometimes throw out a question if almost the whole class got it wrong.

Strategizing

For each problem issue, identify the resources for addressing the problem:

  • If there were errors in the instructor’s grading or addition, that is one of the issues that is the easiest to clear up.
  • If you missed or misread questions, or if you ran out of time, you might benefit from coaching on exam technique.
  • If you studied different material, or you do not understand why your answers were insufficient, or you disagree with the marks assigned, then clarifying the course and instructor’s expectations is in order. Rereading the syllabus and meeting with students who got better grades is good preparation for the next exam and is essential if you’re going to meet with the prof.
  • If you were unable to solve STEM problems, tutoring may be the answer.
  • If your study technique let you down, study workshops or an academic strategist (that would be me) can help.
  • If your study time was too limited, an academic strategist or time management coach can work with you to get the essentials scheduled and done.

Now choose your remedies, and schedule the actions you’re going to take. 

By going through strategic problem-solving, you are better prepared for the next exam, and very much better prepared for meeting with the prof than if you had not taken time to cool off, analyze and strategize. Going in in a state of panic or temper simply isn’t effective studentship. 

Endorse and commend yourself for dealing effectively.

Meeting With the Prof

If you are setting up a meet to discuss your grade, that prior cooling off day is essential. Some tips:

  • When you ask for the meet, state your purpose: That you want to know more specifics about how you can improve your grade, that you have analyzed some of the problems and would like their advice.
  • Go in with the attitude that you will gain insight into their perspective. Do not go in with the idea that you are going to prove your answers deserve more credit. Sometimes (rarely) that happens, but never expect it to happen.
  • Statements such as, “I said that ‘xxx,’ what would have been more on target?” are information-seeking questions, not claims to correctness. 
  • Skip the pity-seeking. “I really need this course to get into grad school” is your problem, not the instructor’s. It may be ok to refer to funding or admissions as part of your concern, as long as it is clear that your main concern is doing well in this course for the value of what you can learn in this course if that is true, and not just buttering up. Sticking to the exam issue with a problem-solving approach is usually much stronger.
  • Sometimes, instructors know the most effective peer tutoring groups, exam tip websites, text supplements, or other campus resources. Ask, if they don’t volunteer the information.
  • Be respectful of their time.
  • Summarize at the end of the meeting what your take-away is. 
  • Thank the instructor. A quick, brief email mentioning any action you have taken, such as engaging a tutor or peer tutoring group shows you weren’t wasting their time.
  • Take their advice. 

And if you are one of the few who made it through high school without ever receiving a disappointing grade, know that dealing with this disappointing grade now makes you a real university student!

Let me know how the midterms went, and connect with me if you’d like to explore how we might work together on tools for your academic success. [email protected] .

The information in this blog cannot take the place of support from your own mental health professional or community health resources. Reach out to them. And IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS, PLEASE DIAL 911.