What do I do about my bad grades?

Question

Im in 8th grade, i'm 14. I try my hardest in school, but it never seems to pay off. I admit that sometimes i don't do my homework, and i get bad grades because of that, but my parents get REALLY mad at me. And i try to explain to them that I'm trying. But they don:t believe me.

What should I do?!

Answer 1

You need to understand that getting good grades, and actually learning, or knowing what you have been taught CAN be two very different things.

To get good grades you have to do a few very simple things:

Turn in ALL assignments, completed, and if possible, correct.

Complete all tests and other evaluation exercises, as correctly as possible.

Attend all sessions of class, and not get caught napping, or being disruptive.

In short, if your goal is for the teacher to give you a good grade, YOU have to be willing to give the teacher what they say THEY want- in the form of assignments, tests, quizzes and showing that you have absorbed the required amount of information on the topic they are presenting.

Really very simple! (I learned this in College!- It took me a while)  Give the teacher what they ask you for. No more and no less.

Now, oddly enough, getting good grades usually comes with a bit of you actually learning something.  However, at times, you might already KNOW the subject, either through your own curiosity or self directed learning.

This is not as out there as it sounds!

If this IS the case, then you might be having difficulty getting those grades because you are getting bored or distracted in class or study times.

If this is the case, then you need to talk with the teacher about this. It may also involve talking to the guidance counselor as well. See if there is a way for you to "test out" of the class. In this way you demonstrate your knowledge of the subject, get to move on to more interesting or challenging topics and courses, and are not a distraction of disruption for the rest of the class or the teacher.

So lastly, if NOT getting homework done is the real problem, then YOU have to decide if YOU want the hassle you are getting about the grades or not.  If you like the negative attention and drama, then keep doing what you are doing. If you want it to stop, then just get yourself into gear and realize that as soon as school is out, you need to set aside a certain block of time to complete the homework, and put it into your folder for the next day to turn in.

If you cannot concentrate, then go to your room, shut the door, no TV or music, and get it done.   Play time or music/TV is your reward, not your right for getting your work done.

See as a grown up, if you do not work, you do not get money, no money, to electricity or stuff like TV, music players, or music! This is really all just getting you ready to become an adult.  To get what YOU want, you have to GIVE what THEY want!  It is called life.

Boring, but sort of accurate.

Best of luck to you

Kay

Answer 2

definitely try even harder.spend less time doing unnecessary things. maybe get a tuder.

Answer 3

maybe just your style of learning... try to change your style of learning, but focus what the teachers are teaching... of course you have to do your hw everyday... Dont talk with your friends when your teachers are teaching. Just try to improve for the next grade, so that your parents will believe that you're trying very hard... Even a little is still good... try to improve a lil everytime until you reach your goal.

Answer 4

"What do I do about my bad grades?" thats easy enough, the answer is: improve them.

Answer 5

You sound just like me at your age. I was diagnosed with ADD. With ADD, you forget things quickly, hyper-focus on other things and often "blank" out while you are trying to focus. My husband and daughter are the same. Have you been tested?

I recommend a book called Delivered from Distraction. It may help you. It may also help your parents understand what you are going through.

Answer 6

talk to your teacher about it. explain to him that you try hard and it never seems to pay off...ask him if he can help you during lunch once in awhile. or ask him for extra credit.

Answer 7

I don't expect best answer for this one. If you don't do your homework, you aren't really trying your hardest. Something is distracting you. Try to figure out what is keeping you from doing the homework. If the work itself is too difficult or above your skill level, ask your teacher to help you find a tutor or study partner. I did that when I was failing algebra and it made a huge difference.

Do you ask your parents for help with your homework? Sometimes getting them involved pays off in more ways than one. It shows them that you really are interested in improving your grades and gives them an opportunity to spend time with you in a positive way. It takes away the need for them to get angry with you. It's up to you to demonstrate that you are willing to put away distractions, get the help you need, and pull up the grades.

They probably get angry because they know your grades will really matter when you start high school, and if you don't develop good study habits and skills, you won't be able to get into as good a college as you would otherwise.

Even if you don't go to college, developing the habit of focusing on the task at hand will be important in the workplace, in managing your own home, and in many other areas of adult life.

When you learn to manage your time, you will find that you have more left over for the things you really enjoy - friends, hobbies, etc. Good luck!

Answer 8

Take out books on how to study from the library. It's usually now how hard we try that makes a difference in our grades, but how we go about the learning. I highly recommend Student Success Secrets by Jensen and someone else, as well as What Smart Students Know.

Answer 9

well try ur hardest to get all of ur homework done. pay more atention in class, and if that doesnt work try sylvin learning center, explain to ur parents that even though i get bad grades im trying my hardest and if u dont believe me i cant do anything else. but dont say it rudley, that could get u grounded

Answer 10

I don't expect best answer for this one.  If you don't do your homework, you aren't really trying your hardest.  Something is distracting you.   Try to figure out what is keeping you from doing the homework.  If the work itself is too difficult or above your skill level, ask your teacher to help you find a tutor or study partner.  I did that when I was failing algebra and it made a huge difference.  

Do you ask your parents for help with your homework?  Sometimes getting them involved pays off in more ways than one.  It shows them that you really are interested in improving your grades and gives them an opportunity to spend time with you in a positive way.  It takes away the need for them to get angry with you.  It's up to you to demonstrate that you are willing to put away distractions, get the help you need, and pull up the grades.

They probably get angry because they know your grades will really matter when you start high school, and if you don't develop good study habits and skills, you won't be able to get into as good a college as you would otherwise.  

Even if you don't go to college, developing the habit of focusing on the task at hand will be important in the workplace, in managing your own home,  and in many other areas of adult life.  

When you learn to manage your time, you will find that you have more left over for the things you really enjoy - friends, hobbies, etc.   Good luck!

Answer 11

I am not sure if you are homeschooled or in public school....

If you are homeschooled then you really need to sit your parents down and explain to them that there is a problem at the moment with your schooling and them getting mad at you.  Patience is what is needed, the learning style and what you are learning may not be right for your personal education journey.  Discover what you would enjoy learning and ask your parents to support you, not growl at you.

If you are in public school perhaps you need to talk to your dean or counsellor, explain the problem you are having and ask if they could talk to your parents with you.....

Most of all you need to feel supported and understood sometimes what you are being taught is not what you were intended to learn.  All the best and remember to not get grumpy with your parents they are trying to do their best too.

Answer 12

Do you go to public school?

I thought most home schools were actually taught by the parents.

If you are in public school, you need to be evaluated for learning disabilities. You can go to the counselor and say you want to be tested for learning problems because you are trying your hardest without success. The counselor should then contact your parents. (They will have to approve.)

Or, you can have your parents write a letter to the school requesting an evaluation. Start by telling them that some other kids in school have IEPs because some classes are hard for them, but you know they had to be tested first. Tell them you want some extra help. Please request an evaluation in writing. so you will get help within 90 days.

Even if you do not go to public school, your parents can request the evaluation from them. They are supposed to provide services to any school-aged person.

Answer 13

ok first of all ask yourself are you doing the best you can? if the answer to that is yes then i suggest you get some tutoring. as for your parents well tell them that you understand that doing good in school is for your best and understand their concern but you will get help and will try to get your grades up soon.