Hi, simple question which may or may not make sense to ask.

I’m borderline passing 2 courses only out of horrible work ethic which until now I didn’t know I had. However I’m too lazy to fail so I do plan to bounce back. Basically lets just? say I got 55% on 2 term tests so far for each course, what are my chances of passing with a B in general if I was to, let us assume, ace the next term test and final? Or, an A? I’m aware there are course factors but just in general, would you consider it possible, and how possible? Basically, have I already screwed myself over completely or not?

Thanks

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You know, you really haven?t given me enough information here. How much are each of the tests worth? If your tests were worth 10% each, then sure, it?s definitely possible to pull up your mark. If your tests were worth, say, 30% each, then it would probably be mathematically impossible to achieve an A.

The real issue here though (in my opinion) isn?t really whether or not it is mathematically possible to pull up your mark. I think you really have to reflect on what?s happened so far and ask yourself why you have been getting these marks. It?s easy to say ?I?ve been lazy, so I?ll work harder in the future and get better grades?, and I?ve heard many a student say that. But realistically, students rarely go from D’s to A’s in a short period of time. I really think you have to go one step further and ask yourself what you can do to turn things around.

If you?re a first year student, is it because you?re having a difficult time adjusting to the fast pace of University courses? One of the things that people often say about University courses is that unlike high school courses you have to not only know the material, but you have to understand it well. You have to practise a lot and develop intuition for it. If your low marks are because you haven?t been understanding the course material well, can you do something to change that? For instance, perhaps you could start doing more practice exercises. Also, it might be a good idea to set up an appointment with your professors (be polite!), tell them frankly that you haven?t been doing well in their courses, and kindly ask them what they think you could do to improve.

If you don?t think that?s the problem you have, then is it because you?re not getting enough out of lectures? If that?s the case, how about seeking out a note-taking workshop from the Academic Success Centre?

If all else fails, you can always drop the courses and make them up in the summer, but heads up ? 1) not all courses are offered in the summer, and 2) you?ll still need to find some way to improve your work ethic, because summer courses are quite demanding. The deadline for dropping courses without academic penalty is March 7th, but be sure to make an appointment with your college?s academic advisor before you do anything hasty.

Well, that?s my advice to you, really: take initiative, and don?t be afraid to use the resources that you?re entitled to, as a University of Toronto student (your professors, your academic advisors, the success centre, ?).