Bounce back after midterms

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 1, 2024) — So, you didn’t get the results you wanted on your last assignment. It happens, and as long as it does not become a repeated occurrence, bouncing back from that grade is completely doable.  

Here are five steps you can take to help you finish your semester strong.  

Take a deep breath. Everything will be OK. Failure is bound to happen and, in some cases, can be valuable to your journey. How you react to and understand failure can be a source of insight that makes all the difference in bouncing back. Still feeling overwhelmed? Reach out to TRACS, UK’s one-stop hub where students can come for a referral to supportive services (housing, rent, utilities, food) or receive direct clinical support for a range of mental health needs and crises. 

Evaluate and identify the cause. Before you move forward and try again, it is important to take a moment to understand why you encountered difficulties. What factors contributed to your setback? Did your study methods fall short? Pinpointing where you went wrong is valuable when determining the best way to move forward successfully. UK's Integrated Success Coaches can help!

Engage in one-on-one discussions with your professors. After receiving midterm grades that may not meet your expectations, consider engaging in face-to-face conversations with your professors. This direct communication can be beneficial in understanding your performance clearly and help identify areas of improvement. By scheduling office hours and setting up appointments, you will receive personalized feedback on assignments and exams, giving you a chance to clarify any misunderstandings with course material. Building a connection with your professor will show your commitment to academic success and lead to valuable opportunities for your future. So, don’t hesitate to take advantage of the original resource.  

Create a plan. It is important now to acknowledge that the past is beyond change and shift your focus to what you can influence: the future. Once you have identified the source of your mistake, developing a plan to avoid failing into the same failure is a major key. Can you mitigate the damage or take the test again? How can you study differently for the next exam? The more specific the plan, the better. Try reaching out to one of UK's Integrated Success Coaches for help getting started. 

Take advantage of the resources available to you. The University of Kentucky has a plethora of resources available to students to help them overcome failure. Equipped with dedicated staff members who devote their time to helping students succeed, UK resources are there to help you bounce back after receiving a lower grade than expected. Here is a list of free, virtual and in-person tutoring resources available to UK students. Furthermore, UK offers a helpful guide designed to assist students in identifying the most suitable support resources available at the university. You can access that guide here.