How to Deal With a Bad Grade

Co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA

It’s always upsetting to receive a grade that’s lower than what you hoped for, but it’s important to not let it get you down. If you deal with a bad grade in the right way, you can learn from your mistakes to become a better student—and person.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Coming to Terms with Your Bad Grade

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Don’t be too hard on yourself. Receiving a bad grade isn’t the end of the world. Don’t think one bad grade represents your overall worth as a student. The very fact that you are concerned shows that you are motivated and have high expectations for yourself.
- Avoid punishing yourself for receiving a bad grade. Try to learn from your mistakes and strive to do better in the future.
- Remember that a “C” is usually considered average, a “B” above average, and an “A” exemplary.^{[1]
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  Research source} Putting it into perspective, maybe your grade isn’t as bad as you thought.
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Take some time to process your reaction. You may feel anxious, frustrated, or even confused. It’s okay to be upset. Let it out. Suppressing your emotions will only make you feel worse down the line.^{[2]
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- Venting to a friend, family member, or classmate can help you cope with the bad grade and move on.
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3
Put some distance between you and the grade for a while. Dwelling on it further while in a heightened emotional state will just make the problem seem worse than it is.^{[3]
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Research source} Try to do something that takes your mind off of it.
- Exercising, talking with friends, listening to music, or doing fun things you enjoy are all healthy ways to relieve anxiety.^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Figuring out What Went Wrong

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Look for patterns of error. Finding a pattern in your mistakes is a good way to isolate and overcome your problem areas on your own.^{[5]
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- Was there a subject, like math or English, that you didn't do well on? If so, study more frequently in those areas.
- Was there a group of related test questions you missed? If so, try to categorize them and figure out what subject you could study harder in.
- Did you continually show up to class late? If so, try to be more punctual.
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Ask your teacher for detailed feedback. They know your strengths and weaknesses, so don't be afraid to ask for help.^{[6]
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- Instead of asking, “why did I get a bad grade,” ask, “how can I restructure my answers in a way that would earn me a better grade?”^{[7]
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Seek advice from classmates. Ask others if they’re willing to share the grade they received. If they all received similar grades, maybe the problem is with the material and not you. If they did better than you, ask them what kind of strategies they think led to higher grades.^{[8]
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- Sometimes teachers curve the grades in a class in which many students are struggling. If a lot of students did poorly, a low grade won’t be as detrimental as you thought, and you can rest easier knowing that.
4
Reflect on your study habits. Try to be fair and objective while you self-reflect. Take some time to think about how, and how much, you studied or prepared for the assignment. If you didn’t study or if you procrastinated, this could have contributed to the bad grade. Aim to improve your study habits in the future if this was the case.^{[9]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Planning Effectively for the Future

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Commit to your goals for improvement. Once you've recognized areas where you need to improve, you can take the steps to do so. Make positive changes in your life where necessary:^{[10]
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- Write out a study schedule and follow it routinely. Consider other activities and obligations you have and allow for plenty of time to complete each assignment. A regular schedule can significantly reduce anxiety and improve performance.^{[11]
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  Research source} Just be sure to avoid procrastination.
- Get more sleep. The amount of sleep you get heavily affects your mood and ability to absorb and retain information.^{[12]
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- Eliminate distractions. Prioritize the things that matter most.
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Seek extra credit opportunities to make up lost points. Oftentimes, teachers just want to see that you’re willing to put effort into your work. Ask if they’d be willing to let you improve your grade by completing extra assignments.^{[13]
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Research source} If you can’t change your grade, maybe you can supplement it.
- It’s a good idea to calculate your grade and figure out what scores you’ll need on the remaining assignments and exams to achieve the final grade you desire in the course.
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Be mindful of helpful resources at your disposal. Tutoring centers, teacher office hours, and study groups all exist to help you succeed.^{[14]
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Research source} Consider restructuring your future study habits by incorporating some of these resources into your routine.
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Move on. While you may not be able to change the grade you’ve received, you can take the necessary steps to improve. Try to consider it a learning experience. Forgive yourself for your mistakes, and focus on working hard so you do better next time.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Ashley Pritchard, MA
Academic & School Counselor
Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.} One bad grade isn’t going to determine your future, and it isn’t going to define your aptitude as a student either.

Expert Q&A
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Question

I feel like every time I study, I get a worse grade. What should I do to improve?

Alexander Peterman, MA
Test Prep Tutor
Alexander Peterman is a Private Tutor in Florida. He received his MA in Education from the University of Florida in 2017.

Alexander Peterman, MA

Test Prep Tutor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Hi there. This may be because the material is getting more difficult, and you may not be studying correctly -- at least not for you. Try speaking with your teacher and reviewing your study habits to see how you can change your approach.
Question

How do I make sure my teacher knows that I am better than this one bad grade?

Community Answer

Tell and show them. Ask about make-ups or extra credit and study harder for the next exam. Look at where you went wrong to get your bad grade and ask him/her for help in that area. You'll prove that you are better by putting in the hard work.
Question

Does getting a bad grade twice mean you are a bad student?

Doggo

Top Answerer

Not at all! Everyone gets bad grades; even that 'smart' kid in class gets a bad grade.