a is for actually almost a little impossible

Hi Aska 🙂

You always seem like the best person to ask for help for at this school so here I go. I don’t want to sound like a debbie downer or a sore looser, but I can’t seem to figure out why no matter how hard I try (legit) I can never get the grades I want. I mean am I doing something wrong? I go to class, pay attention, do the readings… but I just don’t get it. Where can I go to get help? Is university not for me? I’m in second year, and I thought things would get better. Can you help me on what I could do or who I should see on improving life at uni? Thanks so much. I appreciate it, and like I said, this site has helped me out so much:)

Keep up the great work!

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Hey there!

Because you were sweet and your message actually had me say “Aw, muffin!” I will refrain from being sassy/condescending/inappropriately blunt.

So grades. Grades, grades, grades… At UofT, grades are often a huge reason for tearful fits and anxiety attacks. Anyhow, it sounds like you’re doing everything I would recommend, but to be safe, I’d still recommend hitting up the Academic Success Centre. A lot of the time we think we’re doing something right since it’s habitual, but then sometimes you get that slap in the face that say no, no that’s not how you do it, so maybe a fresh perspective and some tips can help you.

I assume the grades that you want are As. To be blunt, As are hard to get. Here at UofT, Bs are great! Bs mean you’re “good” and good is great, but I understand that need to get the best possible grade. Anyhow, As usually require this extra work that you’re not necessarily asked of, but do anyway and show off what a fantastic student you are. I remember the first A I got in university was a result of totally ignoring my professor’s assigned essay questions, showing up at office hours, and all but arguing I be allowed to write about what I felt passionate about. To get the A, there’s this little extra “thing” you need to include — in my opinion at least. You’ll need to go the extra metaphorical mile.

But don’t think university isn’t for you simply based on your grades. If you were to think university wasn’t the right place for you, don’t base it on one person’s opinion on how well you did on that test or this paper.

Take your second year to scope out what you’re good at. Now that you’re past the first year of sampling introductory courses, you’re surely in ones that you actually enjoy and can probably do much better in. Use this year to test out new modes of studying, new places to get work done, new habits, yada yada yada. You’ll be fine, muffin!

And as a personal tip, I recommend getting a job or doing some extra curriculars. For me, what made me work hard was filling up my schedule. Aside from classes, I work two jobs, volunteer, mentor, and edit. It sounds like a lot but because of that load, aside from limiting my Thirsty Thursdays, I force myself to organize my time. Granted, this might not work for some people.

Don’t be discouraged by some numbers on your transcript. You’ll figure things out, I know it. 🙂

happy to help,

aska