We all have taken a test before, and we all have hoped to get a passing grade on that test, but in reality, it is extremely difficult if not impossible to pass all tests. It is easy to get demotivated and feel guilty when one has failed a test, so what can you do next?
Keep in mind that failing a test is not the end of the world. We all have failed a test. There are a few things you need to address after failing a test, but before that, you need to make the best out of the situation. Think positively and do not let failing a test make you fail as a person.
So… what can you do after failing a test?
1. First, take a break
It doesn’t matter whether you are used to getting good or bad grades, failing a test that matters to you can come as a shock and it can unmotivate you and make your emotions run wild.
That is why, after failing a test, the first thing you want to do is take a break from everything. Try to stay calm and not get anxious about the test. Failing a test is very common, and it can actually teach you new information as long as you are willing to learn. By being calmed, you can turn a bad situation into a good one.
2. Identify what made you fail the test
Alright, you just took a break, what’s next? You now need to identify what made you fail that test to avoid repeating the same mistake.
Great things in life have been achieved by trying out different techniques, and that’s exactly what you want to do to succeed. Sit down for a moment and think. Was the professor horrible at teaching? Was the class difficult for you? Did you take too many classes? Did something happen in your personal life that affected you? Did you procrastinate when you should have been studying?
Being honest to ourselves can be difficult, but not impossible. Answering the previous questions can help you understand more about what happened that made you fail that test, and it will help you make better decisions next time to avoid failing another test.
3. Make a plan and take action
After taking a break and identifying what made you fail the test, you should start developing a plan to either retake the failed test if possible, or to be better next time.
If the professor was horrible at teaching, consider speaking to your advisor to swap classes if possible. If the class was difficult for you, consider making friends in that class that could help you better understand the lecture. If you took too many classes, consider speaking to your advisor about dropping a few. If something happened in your personal life, consider if being at college is the right decision at the moment.
4. Get help
After failing a test you should be reviewing it, analyzing the questions you got wrong, and asking for help.
Attend your professor’s office hours. Do not be scared to ask for help. One thing to consider: avoid begging your professor for a higher grande and instead ask for tips on how you can do well on your next test.
Attending office hours might seem scary, especially if you’ve never been there before, but keep in mind that professors are there to help you succeed.
