Advice for Students That Fall Behind in Their Work
By Joshua Needham | Social Media Editor
The start of a new school semester is much like celebrating New Years. Everyone makes resolutions that this semester will be better than the last. However, even with the best laid plans for success, sometimes falling behind is inevitable. Between poor health, family emergencies, or just plain forgetfulness, sometimes students fall behind in their work and it can be hard not to just give up.
So, you’ve fallen behind? Getting caught back up won’t be easy, but there are some tips and tricks to help you save the semester. MWCC’s Retention Specialist, Joyce Kulig, says the first step is to talk with your professors. Kulig suggests that the first step to correcting the issue, is making it known between you and your professor that you understand you’ve fallen behind. Especially if you’re early in the semester, focus on working with your instructor(s) to figure out an action plan going forward to help you get caught up and stay caught up. Making the issue known early on can help take some of the stress out of catching up and can really make the difference between success and failure for some students.
“Professors are more interested in the student succeeding, than the student failing” said Jim O’Connell, a Professor in Media Arts. Knowing that your instructors are there to help you succeed, not bring you down, is a huge step for some new students that may have come from a very different environment in high school. O’Connell also suggests seeking help from classmates and fellow students as well. It’s worth keeping in mind that your peers, the other students in your class and attending college with you, also understand how hard life can be at times and may have developed key strategies to deal with certain situations; strategies that may help you as well.
Sometimes the sun is setting on your class-front and the semester is coming to a speedy end by the time you realize that you’re behind. Whether due to personal issues at home or just stubborn laziness, it is worth remembering that you can do anything if you apply yourself. O’Connell’s bit of advice for nose-to-the-grindstone catching up is that of true dedication: cram.
Kevin MacMillan, an MRT/V student at The Mount, recounted a time when he had fallen behind and brought himself back up with hard work and dedication. MacMillan had come to the end of his high school years and was confident of his ability to graduate without issue. However, he was met by his math teacher to discuss a failing grade in her class. With so little time left in the school year, MacMillan met with all his teachers to discuss the issue and make known his dedication to bringing his grade up in that class.
His teacher provided him with workbooks that he could complete for extra credit, but at only a few points per workbook to go toward his overall grade, MacMillan wasn’t sure if it was even possible. All he knew, was that he needed to pass this class. MacMillan recounted that the last month of that year felt like an entire school year on its own. He worked through study halls and every day at home to do as much work as he possibly could.
In the end, MacMillan passed the class and graduated with his classmates. He says that the experience showed him one thing: at the end of the day, no matter how far behind you are, it’s because of your actions. You may not have the best relationship with your professor(s), their teaching style may not be for you, but at the end of the day, if you apply yourself, you can do well in any situation.
Spring break is coming soon and is a reminder of how far into the semester we are. As the semester, and the rest of your school years move forward, keep these tips and tricks in mind and don’t stop believing in yourself.
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