How to Pass a Class You Are Failing? Get a Strategy!

Dealing with failure in school isn’t something any student wants to have to do. The good news is it’s possible to turn that F into an A, or at least a passing grade with some effort. In this article, we will share how to pass a class you are failing so that you will know how to not fail school.

How to Pass a Class You Are Failing

If you find yourself losing steam or struggling in any subject, you may begin to notice your grades will slip, too. There are consequences associated with failing a class (such as suffering from a negative hit to your GPA and potentially losing your enrollment status depending on how many Fs you’ve received, to name a few).

That’s why it’s of great value to know how to deal with failure and turn it around.

Take a look:

1. Adjust your study habits

It could be possible that you are studying, but it’s just not effective. Depending on the type of person you are, it could be the case that you’re more productive or able to retain information in the morning, but you’re finding time to study at night. Or, you may be studying with distractions, such as having the TV on or taking too many moments to check your social media apps on your phone. Whatever the situation may be, you want to allocate time to study that is dedicated and focused. In an effort to do so, try to find a quiet and distraction-free study space, devise a schedule that adheres to your productivity levels, and study in bursts of immense focus followed by short breaks.

The way you learn can also impact your study methods’ efficiency. For example, if you are an auditory learner, it will help to listen to recorded lectures or use online resources to hear the information again. If you prefer to learn visually, it could be useful to write out flashcards or depict what you need to learn in a visual manner.

2. Ask for help

There’s no shame in asking for help. Whether you don’t understand a concept or have questions, make use of the educational resources around you. You can seek help from parents, peers, professors, mentors, or even the internet.

If you’re attending an online university (like the University of the People), take advantage of peer forums and discussion groups to connect with students like you. They may be able to offer more insight or aid in helping you understand course material better so that you can improve test scores and complete assignments.

3. Stop procrastinating

Waiting until the last minute to start studying or begin an assignment is never a good idea. When you cram for a test, you are not optimizing your ability to understand information. Instead, you may be memorizing facts. This is detrimental in the long run because what you learn today will serve as the foundational knowledge you need to connect what you learn tomorrow. Procrastination may also result in missing deadlines and losing points for late work or not turning in the work at all. All of these negative consequences are bound to hurt your grade.

On the other hand, if you get your work handed in on time and prepare for tests in advance, then you have a higher chance to succeed and do well.

4. Turn in missing work

Missing work can end up being the difference between a passing and a failing grade. If you have missed work due to an extenuating circumstance or even because you procrastinated or didn’t care enough, talk to your teacher or professor. Ask if you can have a second chance to make up for the missing work and points. It could be the case that you will only earn a fraction of the points that you would have otherwise earned if it had been turned in on time. That being said, when you are failing, any point will be better than no point at all.

5. Talk to your teacher

Teachers often are more inclined to help students who take initiative and express their care for the class, subject matter, and their own learning. If you’re failing a subject, set up a time to talk to your teacher. Express any difficulties within the school or outside of school that may be contributing to your grade. If you don’t understand something, be sure to vocalize it so that they can help you learn. Your teacher may come up with solutions you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise to transform your failing grade into a passing grade.

6. Request extra credit

Sometimes, teachers are willing to offer you a second chance in the form of extra credit. Extra credit may require the completion of an additional project, a written essay, or another homework assignment. Whatever it may be, these extra points are worthwhile to claim, especially when you aren’t doing so well in a class.

7. Consider choosing a “pass/fail” grading

If you are in college and you’re not past the pass/fail deadline, you may be able to take a course as a pass/fail rather than a letter grade. This may be a great solution for a subject that is outside of your major or a class that you find to be too challenging. Most universities will limit the number of classes that you can take as “pass/fail” versus receiving a letter grade, so be sure to consider this option wisely. To find out more about how a pass/fail grade impacts your GPA, check out this useful guide. 

8. Don’t give up

Perhaps the most important advice for how to pass a class you are failing is to keep on going! Do not give up, no matter how challenging or difficult the process may become. It is often the case that people learn best from failure, so consider your current failure an opportunity. This way you are better able to approach the situation with a growth mindset and one that is open to learning and turning the status quo around.

Closing Thoughts

Now that you have some best practices for how to pass a class you are failing, which one(s) are you going to try? Every person’s situation is different, so one or many of these solutions may work for you.

Hopefully, you will be able to turn that F into a passing grade. As you continue to persevere, remember this quote from famous American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald, “Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.”