Tips for Dealing with Academic Failure

Key takeaways

Academic failure describes what happens when you do not meet expectations in school, such as failing an exam or course.

• More than one third of students who experience chronic stress say the stress has affected their performance in school [1].

• Recognizing the signs of academic struggle early gives you the opportunity to take action and turn things around.

• You can build habits that support your success, including attending class consistently, managing your time, and reaching out for support when you need it.

Learn more about the signs of academic struggle and steps you can take to handle it.

Effects of academic failure on students

Academic failure describes what happens when you do not meet expectations in school, like failing an exam or course. For some students, academic failure can have lasting consequences because they're more likely to withdraw from a course or school when they don't feel successful. Dropping a required course means it may take longer to earn required credits, or they may decide to stop pursuing the degree or certification altogether. This is especially true for students who need to maintain high grades to maintain financial support.

When you struggle academically, you also may wrestle with feelings of disappointment, depression, and increased stress levels that can seep into other aspects of your life. In a Student Voice survey, 56 percent of the respondents reported feeling chronically stressed [1]. More than one third of those students shared that the stress has affected their performance in school [1]. They tend to have a harder time focusing in class and meeting deadlines, which can lead to lower scores.

How to deal with academic failure? Signs to watch for

The first step in dealing with academic failure is learning how to recognize it, and one of the first signs is forgetting to turn in assignments. When you're dealing with emotional stress or poor sleep, you may notice you are more forgetful and pay less attention in class. This makes it easier to miss deadlines. However, the signs of academic failure vary from person to person and include the following:

• You regularly arrive to class late.

• You start skipping class.

• You struggle to stay organized.

• You delay working on assignments or projects.

• You participate less in class.

• You have trouble concentrating.

• You sleep more or less than usual.

• You fall asleep in class.

• You receive low grades consistently.

What are the five strategies for academic success?

Academic success comes down to a handful of habits that keep you engaged, organized, and supported throughout your studies. These include:

• Showing up for class, asking questions, and taking notes

• Using your time wisely outside of class

• Setting aside time every day to review your notes and study

• Setting specific and realistic goals

• Communicating with your teachers and reaching out to academic support services 

What to do when you fail academically

If you notice warning signs of academic failure, it's time to take action. Work through these steps to help stay focused on solutions.

1. Identify the causes.

As soon as you realize you're dealing with academic failure, identify what's causing the problem. Perhaps you did (or did not) do something that led to the poor grade. Think about why you acted this way. Maybe your final grade dropped because you didn't turn in assignments like the big project due at the end of the term. You may have spent time with friends instead of studying. It's also possible that you misunderstood the instructions for a major project and did not ask your teacher or a classmate to clarify them.

Sometimes, the cause of the problem is outside your control, like a medical emergency or family situation that needs your immediate attention. However, even if you had to take time away from your studies to deal with the situation, you should consider how your reaction contributed to the poor performance in class. For example, if you missed class because of an illness, you could meet with the teacher or connect with a classmate when you started feeling better to get the notes and assignments you needed.

2. Accept responsibility.

After identifying the cause of the academic failure, it's helpful to accept responsibility for your role. You can't control a family emergency that keeps you out of class, but you can decide whether to contact your teacher or professor about upcoming assignments or ignore them. The good news is that you can change those habits next time and may be able to avoid another failing grade.

When dealing with unfortunate situations like academic failure, you may feel angry, frustrated, or sad. These feelings are normal and an important part of learning how to overcome academic failure. Give yourself permission to feel these feelings and be gentle with yourself. Self-compassion tends to be more effective than harsh criticism and rumination about what you did wrong. The goal is to learn a lesson, not punish yourself.

3. Monitor your self-talk.

You may feel tempted to punish yourself for your mistakes, but the inner critic tends to be unhelpful and does not deserve your attention. If you replay your mistakes in your head, you may start to believe the negative thoughts associated with them. This can make it harder to learn the lesson and move on because it changes how you feel about yourself.

Pay attention to your thoughts, and try thinking about more positive memories when you notice multiple negative ones. Replay how you felt when you earned a top score on an exam or received praise from a teacher or classmate. You also may find it helpful to reflect on a time when you successfully overcame a challenge, even one not related to your academic performance. Replacing the negative thoughts with positive ones can help you stop dwelling on the past and look forward to a better future.

4. Find a solution and take action.

When you reframe your thoughts and stop focusing on what you did wrong, you can find solutions and take action to make better decisions in the future. This may be as simple as talking with your teacher. For example, if you missed a deadline, apologize for the oversight and ask if you can turn in the work late. Your teacher may deduct points, but getting some credit is better than nothing.

If you have a low grade in a course and still have time to bring it up, focus on upcoming assignments and exams. This gives you a great reason to explore the academic resources available, including study groups and tutoring to help you learn important concepts and prepare for upcoming tests that can improve your grade. You could also meet with an academic advisor to discuss your situation and develop a plan.

Learn more: How to Improve a Low GPA: Strategies and Study Habits

5. Create a plan for the future.

The lessons you learn through this experience can help you create a plan for the future to prevent this from happening again. You may need to change some of your habits, such as choosing a seat where you deal with fewer distractions during class and setting aside time each day to review your notes and study for upcoming exams in short segments of time. Other ideas include setting up study groups with friends, finding and using a calendar to record due dates and deadlines, and asking for help when you don't understand a concept or an assignment.

Take advantage of your resources. If you need to learn how to take notes, find someone who can teach you different note-taking styles and find the one that works best for you. Seek out or create study groups with your classmates and learn how to manage your time so you're able to balance academics with your social life. You have an opportunity to learn new skills and change the way you think and act, which can improve your confidence.

No-fluff help for when you're stuck

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• Watch on YouTube: Do College Credits Expire? Understanding the Lifespan of Your Academic Credits

• Get motivational advice: How to Stay Motivated

• Read this article: A Skill You'll Use Your Entire Career: Writing

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