Menu

Struggling in a Course?

Struggling in a Course? keyboard_arrow_down
Home chevron_right Student Life chevron_right Student Services chevron_right Graduation Coach chevron_right Struggling in a Course?
Font Size:

Finding a course challenging? There are several things to consider such as, your current study habits, your behaviour, and perhaps your attitude towards school and particular subjects. 

Consider the following:

  • Grad Coach: Check with the Grad Coach and/or myPass to see what you need to graduate.
    • Even if the course is not a requirement for graduation, do you need the course for post secondary?
  • Attitude: Have a positive attitude and make school a higher priority.
    • Remove phrases like "this is too hard", "nobody can do this", and "I am not smart"
    • Replace them with positive self talk: "I can do this!"
    • Correct friends and family immediately if they have a negative attitude or make negative comments about your academics or attendance.
  • Attendance: Is attendance you main issue? 
    • Late or missing morning classes? Set your alarm. Ask your parents for a ride to school earlier. Catch an earlier bus. 
    • Skipping class to hangout with friends? Tell your friends that you need to attend class to graduate. Get them reminding you to get to class.
    • If you hang out with people that don't think school is important, stop hanging out with them.
    • Don't leave the school at lunch or during spares.
    • Reward yourself for positive changes, deny yourself the reward if you fail to meet your expectations.
  • Missing Assignments:
    • Check PowerSchool to see what is missing.
    • Hand in anything that is complete, but not submitted.
    • Talk to your teacher about what missing assignments can be completed. If you are given a makeup date. Set your calendar and an alarm. Do not miss the opportunity, you may only get one extra chance.
    • Go to the library before school, lunch, during spares, and after school to work on assignments as well as to study.
  • Failing tests:
    • Pay more attention in class; ask questions, take notes, start all assignments when they are assigned. 
      • If you start to fall asleep, ask to go get a drink from the water fountain.
      • Don't listen to music while the teacher is talking (headphone out).
      • Put your phone on silent and put it away, unless specifically needed for the lesson.
    • Do your homework, even if it isn’t for marks.
    • Spend 15 minutes every night reviewing what was taught in class that day and another 10 minutes looking ahead at what you will be learning the next day. Read the text, PowerPoints, and/or notes package.
    • Make flash cards for all the vocabulary words - or find a flashcard app like Brainscape, that already has vocab words.
      • Download Brainscape from your favourite App store. Sign in with a google account, or create an account. Then search for your course and/or topic. Chances are the flash card stack has already been created.
    • Make notes from the textbook, or condense your class notes in your own words
  • Need 1-on-1 help: