{"id":8084,"date":"2017-03-17T11:41:16","date_gmt":"2017-03-17T18:41:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/hs\/?p=8084"},"modified":"2019-03-17T18:42:48","modified_gmt":"2019-03-18T01:42:48","slug":"ive-failed-high-school-class-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/hs\/gen\/ive-failed-high-school-class-now\/","title":{"rendered":"I\u2019ve Failed a High School Class! Now What?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week I learned that assuming that certain things will happen isn\u2019t the best mindset. Yet I\u2019m going to go out on a limb and assume that if you\u2019re reading this article, it\u2019s likely you\u2019ve failed a high school class.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve just learned the news, I\u2019d recommend taking a day or two before coming back to this article. There\u2019s some advice I want to impart, and I want you to be in a more positive, receptive mood.<\/p>\n

\"Failed
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Original photo by Hutomo Abrianto on Unsplash<\/a><\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

Two Days Later…<\/strong><\/p>\n

Okay, so you\u2019re in a slightly better mood. The world hasn\u2019t stopped spinning, and your entire life hasn\u2019t fallen apart around you.<\/p>\n

The first thing I want you to know is that failing a high school class is something that you can fix! Yes, it is true. As a teacher, I helped many students repair their grades, GPAs<\/a>, and chances for college admission success. So if you\u2019re ready to be proactive, let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n

Make-Up Work<\/h2>\n

Based off my experience in the classroom, I know that most students who fail a class do so in the fall semester. Why is this the case? Well, whenever you learn new material, there are going to be new challenges, some of which you will find extremely difficult (if not impossible) to overcome. In fast-paced classes, it becomes all too easy to fall behind. Mix all of that together, and you get an F on your report card.<\/p>\n

Anyway, if you have failed the first semester of a class, there is always the chance your teacher will let you do make-up work. Basically, you have the opportunity over winter break to complete a series of make-up exercises. When you return for spring semester, you take an exam to demonstrate that you are proficient in the material.<\/p>\n

Though working over winter break may not sound too appealing, make-up work is the best way to repair your grade. In my experience, it is the least stressful for students, and produces the best results.<\/p>\n

So if you\u2019re finishing up the fall semester, and expect to see an F on your report card, go to your teacher and ask about make-up work. He or she may say no. After all, rules and regulations are different everywhere. The following two options (or maybe just the final one) may be the only ways to repair your grade.<\/p>\n

2nd<\/sup> Semester Redemption<\/h2>\n

Another option is known as \u20182nd<\/sup> semester redemption\u2019. My school used it mainly for students who had \u2018barely\u2019 failed a class, as in earning a 65-69. If this was the case, the student signed a contract stating that he or she was willing to work smarter in the spring semester. If the spring semester grade and fall semester grade averaged out to a 70 or above, the teacher would change the grade for the fall semester.<\/p>\n

Problem solved.<\/p>\n

This, too, provided decent results for students. Students who failed in the fall had a good reason to do better in the spring. Yet there was a drawback \u2013- the stress\/fear of failing again. Teens are already stressed out enough, which in my experience leads to a self-defeating attitude. \u2018I failed in the fall. I just fail again in the spring. Why should I even try?\u2019 Though this sentiment was expressed by students in a variety of ways, it is an attitude to actively avoid. Skip down to \u2018Making Sure Failing a High School Class Never Happens Again\u2019 for tips about creating a better academic mindset.<\/p>\n

Last but not least, we have (drum roll, please<\/a>)\u2026..<\/p>\n

Summer School<\/h2>\n

Yep, there is always the old standby of taking summer school. I am a bit biased against the idea of summer school. Due to the short time frame, the courses rely heavily on rote memorization, worksheets, and not the most motivated teachers. I know there are exceptions, but to be honest, I wouldn\u2019t bet on it.<\/p>\n

Yet if summer school is the only option your school district offers, take it as a gift, even if it may not feel like one. Besides showing up and working hard, here\u2019s an extra piece of advice. If you feel that your teacher is going too fast, make sure to let him or her know that right away! You need<\/strong> to make your voice heard if you’re having any difficulty whatsoever.<\/p>\n

Making Sure Failing a High School Class Never Happens Again<\/h2>\n

This section is all about what you do after <\/strong>repairing your grade, no matter how you did it. In short, after taking a well-earned sigh of relief, it’s time to make a game plan for the future.<\/p>\n

Like football players watching the game tape after a devastating loss, you should examine the past to determine why<\/strong> you failed. Was it because the teacher was going too fast? Was it because you\u2019ve struggled with the subject all your life? Was it because of a health issue such as not having glasses to read the board\/presentations? Was it because (and I hate to say this, Magooshers) you were lazy? Was it a mix of reasons?<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve figured out the cause(s), it\u2019s time to come up with a solution that will help you pass future classes. As I don\u2019t know your specific situation, here\u2019s some advice that can help just about everyone who\u2019s bouncing back after failing a high school class:<\/p>\n