OnlineProfessor

You failed a major test or one of your classes? Just remember that going to college is not easy. If anyone else says it’s so easy, they’re usually lying or exaggerating. Sure, some classes will be tougher than others, but few people snap their fingers and make it happen effortlessly.

Feeling stupid? Stop. Keep that chin up.

Tips on bouncing back from temporary setbacks:

• Learn from it: Don’t dwell on the failure but make sure to consider what happened and how you can prevent it from happening again. Once you figure that out, you can more successfully move forward.
• Review your study techniques: Our minds grow and change as we get older, and study approaches that used to work for us earlier might not work as well now. It’s worth reviewing your study styles every couple of years, and trying new things.
• Consider a tutor: Students shy away from using tutors because there is a misconception that only “slow” students use tutors. This is absolutely untrue. Think of tutors as coaches or editors. They give you that little push. They can help you work on your weaker points and develop your skills. Smart people actively seek out additional insights.
• Ask the instructor for advice: See if your instructor can give you tips on how to perform better for the next assignment or for the next class.

It doesn’t feel good to perform poorly on any assignment or in any class; however, it’s not productive to make yourself feel too bad about it for too long. Disappointments and setbacks will come, but you can bounce back if you allow yourself to be fair to yourself and objective about your academic career as a whole.