I'm getting low grades suddenly... what can i do?

Question

i really really care about my grades, but they're fallling! the classes that i got 90's in are now 80's and the 80's are 70's.
it's now five week grade reports and i'm not doing do well...
i got:
math- 74
micro.- 74
chemistry- 72
english- 88
global- 81
business- 96
spanish- 89

i basically suck... i don't know whats wrong with me, like everything is harder and i keep telling myself that i'm going to do better, but i'm not doing better.

i'm a sophomore and i think colleges will hate me now...

has this ever happened to you? like were u struggling and u managed to pull your grades back up??
what did u do??
i HAVE to raise my grades by the next 5 week or i'm screwed!!

Answer 1

First off, you have a pretty challenging course load, so keep that into consideration.

OK, this is coming from a high school teacher. Here's what I would suggest to my students--a top ten list (in no particular order):

1. Go to the teachers of the courses and ask them what they would suggest you do, why they believe your grades have dropped. They may have some insight, plus, knowing that you care enough to come to them will only work to your benefit. Also, they may offer you a chance to get extra credit or a chance to improve a previously lower test/homework score. It certainly can't hurt to ask. Oh, you can also visit with a guidance counselor to rule out any other issues . . .

2. Are you overdoing the studying, trying TOO hard? Yes, it is possible. Take it easy. Don't be too hard on yourself . . . this goes to the next point . . .

3. Are you getting enough sleep? It is the holiday season and there is so much going on. Did you know that having even an hour less of sleep than usual can impact your cognitive abilities???

4. Are you eating well? Careful of all those sweets--they can play havoc with your brain.

5. I would really focus on those courses where you might be edging closer to the "D" range for right now. Anything lower than a C is typically harder to bring up. Plus, if you try to take them all on and overwork yourself, you'll burn out. Pace yourself.

6. Think about what has been going on in your life--break-up? Issues with friends/family? Illness? Getting a new video game (It happened to me once!). All of this may impact your effectiveness at doing well with your school work. Figure out a way to balance your "EXTRA" stuff with school.

7. Are you in choir or band or a play? They may have a more demanding schedule over the holiday season. How about sports? Again, the schedule can be crazy. Maybe talk to the director/coach about getting a little extra time for schoolwork. This goes for that after school job as well. Talk to your boss--most are flexible.

8. Colleges will not condemn you just because of a few low grades for a term or two, but it is easier to pull them up now rather than have to make it all up later.

9. You are only a sophomore. My sophomores had some slumps here and there, but usually pulled it together by the end of the grading period. You can do it, especially since you are already well aware that you have issues to work on. I had a lot of my students come to me when it was way too late.

10. Finally, relax. You will get through this. Hopefully, you have a support system--friends, family, classmates--that can help. Maybe some extra tutoring by a classmate, mom/dad/sibling can help by quizzing you, friends can give you the relief time you need.

Good luck. Stay positive and focused and those grades will come up.

Answer 2

yea im a sophmore 2
and my grades r HORRIBLE like my highest grade is an A and the lowest is a D....
:[
what i am going to do next semester is stay after school or go b4 school and take tutoring classes :]
that cld really help and get together with some1 and do r homework together or something. also organization really helps...

Answer 3

Study.

Answer 4

Talk to your teachers about it. Ask for constructive criticism about what you can do better. Ask for some strategies for studying those subjects.

Answer 5

study, focus on what it is your studying, try not to stress cause when u do, you panic and when u panic you forget what you've studied. just relax and focus on your studies.

Answer 6

Your teachers are bringing you down

Answer 7

dude. study. if your grades are dropping, your clearly not prepared. be prepared. have neat notes. and all that generic **** people tell you. just listen to it.