How to Improve Your Grades After Failing a Class

Get organized. You might have failed because you fell behind on assignments and lost points. This can drag down your average. When taking multiple classes, notes and materials can get mixed up. This might cause you to miss important information, leading to failure. Organize materials in a folder for the class you failed. Keep notes and question sheets together in a colored folder to avoid losing them. Every day, file any papers from the class into the folder. This way, you won't miss any knowledge and can keep up with lectures.

• If you're even more organized, studying becomes more efficient. Instead of dealing with piles of loose papers in your bag, you can streamline the process and have more time to focus on the material that confuses you.

Attend every class session. Skipping classes frequently is a major reason for poor grades. You fall behind and struggle to catch up. If you miss classes often, you won't know what the teacher expects you to study or understand the requirements for assignments and exams. This can lead to failing. Missing even one class can be detrimental because you miss essential lessons that prepare you for upcoming tests, hindering your ability to improve your grades.

• If you miss a class due to illness or a school event, ask a classmate to take notes for you. Try to find someone who takes thorough notes to ensure you don't miss critical information.

Focus during class. Distractions can prevent you from keeping up with lectures and completing assignments. To improve your grades, you must concentrate during class. Just being physically present doesn't mean you're mentally engaged. Ensure you're fully focused during lessons, as this will help you complete assignments better and boost your grades.

• Make sure to ask questions in class. If the teacher explains something you don't understand, ask immediately, "Can you please explain that again? I didn't get it." Otherwise, you might fall behind and miss crucial information needed for upcoming tests.
• The more you participate in class, the more focused you'll be on the lecture. This will help you prepare better for assignments, achieve higher grades, and ultimately improve your overall performance.

Take comprehensive notes. You might fail because you don't know what information is essential for class assignments. When the teacher mentions important material, write it down. Try to highlight or identify concepts discussed more frequently, as they are likely to appear on tests. If the teacher hints that something will be on the exam, mark your notes to study that part thoroughly.

• Don't worry too much about the structure or neatness of your notes. Just gather enough information to refer back to later. As long as you can understand them during review, it's fine.
• If you find yourself zoning out while taking notes, try writing in your favorite ink color or switching colors for each sentence. This will help you stay focused and make your notes more engaging to review later.

Study broadly. Another reason you might fail is because you only understand the material in specific contexts. You need to grasp what you're learning within a bigger picture. If you only understand the material in one way, you won't be able to apply it in different scenarios. This will cause you to miss some exam questions and perform poorly because you don't fully comprehend the material.

Communicate with your teacher. You might fail because you're struggling to adapt to the teaching style. If you find it hard to learn from a particular teacher, let them know you're having trouble keeping up with their methods. They might help you understand the material differently. You should also discuss any general difficulties you're having with the lessons. Schedule a time to meet with your teacher and ask, "I find the class lectures hard to follow. Can you help me?" They are experts in the subject and can assist you in understanding the material you're struggling with.

• They might provide study tips for upcoming exams or ideas for approaching the next test. They can also suggest additional readings or note-taking strategies to help you grasp the material faster.
• Ensure you're not overly reliant on the teacher to guide you through every detail of the exam. You need to show effort and understanding, or you risk failing again in the future.

Ask about extra credit. A great way to boost your grades is by completing extra assignments for additional points. This can help you earn extra marks for a test you previously failed and potentially raise your overall average. Ask your teacher, "Is there any way to do extra credit work?" If they see you're serious about improving, they might assign you extra tasks to help you improve your grades.

• You can also inquire about redoing assignments, especially if you now understand the material better. Ask your teacher, "I struggled with the last assignment, but I’ve worked hard and understand it better now. Is there a way for me to redo it?"

Join a study buddy program. Check if your school offers a study buddy program. In such programs, students in the same field collaborate to help each other complete assignments and understand the material better. The main advantage is that they are at the same level as you and can help you tackle similar tasks more easily.

• If you're hesitant to ask your teacher, feel free to ask a classmate for help. Try asking, "Can you explain this topic to me? I failed the test but I’m trying to improve." You can also ask them any questions you have about upcoming assignments.

Create a plan. Poor time management can lead to failing grades. To improve, you need to develop effective time management skills. If you want to boost your grades, make an effort to complete your work and still have time to study. Organize your assignments for the rest of the semester and adjust other responsibilities, like work, school activities, or social commitments. Mark important deadlines on a calendar, prioritizing assignments for the class you failed. This will help you know exactly what needs to be done and how long it will take.

• If you're overwhelmed, consider dropping some commitments. Taking on too much can lead to failure. While you can't skip assignments for other classes, you might need to cut back on extracurriculars or social activities to focus on improving your grades.
• If work is too demanding, try adjusting your schedule with your employer. Explain the situation and see if someone can swap shifts with you.

Complete your homework. Since homework is often graded, make sure to complete all assigned tasks to secure the highest possible marks. Homework is also one of the best ways to keep up with what’s being taught in class. Don’t let assignments pile up. Falling behind means missing essential material for tests and other tasks, making it harder to understand new lessons. This could be why you failed previously. Staying on top of homework ensures you learn new material without cramming the night before exams.

• If you have questions while doing homework, jot them down. This way, you can ask your teacher later and clarify any misunderstandings.
• Try to do homework as soon as you get home. Since it plays a big role in your grades, ensure you complete it. Starting early keeps you motivated and focused. Waiting until late at night can lead to distractions and fatigue, making it harder to perform well and retain information.

Study diligently. The only way to improve your grades is by performing well on assignments. This effort should start at home. You can't absorb information without studying, so dedicate time each night to learning. Avoid distractions like phones, laptops, TVs, or music. The more focused you are, the more you can accomplish and the more information you'll retain.

• When reading for class, take notes on the material. This way, you won’t need to reread everything before exams. It might take a bit more time initially, but you’ll be better prepared when tests come around, leading to better grades.
• About two weeks before an exam, review your notes. Reread them and create flashcards for key concepts. If certain topics are challenging, spend extra time on them.

Start assignments immediately. People often fail because they struggle with assigned tasks. When they hit a roadblock, they procrastinate until it's too late. Don’t delay if you’re trying to improve your grades. Begin assignments as soon as they’re given. Waiting until the last minute means you won’t put in 100% effort, resulting in lower scores. Starting early also helps if you feel stuck, as you can seek help from a librarian or teacher right away.

• If you have a blank page, start researching immediately. The deeper you dive, the more you’ll discover. The more useful study materials you gather, the better your written work will be.
• For project-based assignments, tackle each part as early as possible. The more effort you put in, the better your grades will be.

Form a study group. As exams approach, gather classmates to study together. Group learning helps everyone understand the material better than studying alone. Prepare materials beforehand, and during the session, quiz each other, tackle difficult problems, and review potential exam topics.

• Try to include someone who passed the exam you failed. They’ll have a better grasp of the material and can answer your questions.
• Make studying fun by turning the material into games. For example, use flashcards with words or numbers to create a strategy game that helps you learn effectively.

Get enough rest. Failing could be due to exhaustion and an inability to focus in class. Poor performance often stems from being too tired to concentrate on assignments. Adequate sleep is crucial for focus and memory retention. If you’re drowsy during lessons, you’ll struggle to take notes or remember the material. Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep each night to feel refreshed and ready the next day.

• This will also help you feel more energized after school, making it easier to keep up with lessons and complete homework on time.