In the past few days, I have come across multiple students frustrated with their grades, and unsure about how to proceed. One thing all of them shared was a feeling of not having performed as well as they would have liked or as well as they performed back in high school. If you are reading this, you are likely in the same boat.
A piece of advice I give everyone is to remember that exams at university are quite different from exams in high school, and your performance on your first few university exams is bound to be below what you were used to in high school. What matters is not the setback itself but how you respond to it. What you do with this experience now will shape your academic experience moving forward. When you look at your course syllabi, you will see that the final exams coming up are a great way to recover your scores. Here are some tips to make the most of this, and make an academic comeback:
- Review your exams
It is always helpful to look at your exam to better understand where you lost points. Your instructor or TA may also be able to go over your exam with you and help find any patterns in the things you get wrong. Identifying these patterns can help you adjust your study habits and prepare better for the next exam.
- Access University Resources
Working hard is one way to do well at university, but working smart is faster. It takes time and experience to develop smart study techniques, and helping students develop these skills is something AMS Tutoring excels at.
You can see an AMS Tutor during the free drop-ins or book a private appointment with a tutor. While the drop-ins are great for quick questions and general support, booking an appointment lets you build a stronger 1-on-1 connection with the tutor, allowing them to provide you with a more personalized learning experience.
AMS Tutoring is also the only paid resource that is sanctioned by the university. This means that their highly trained tutors can provide you with the most up-to-date and relevant support with tutors having access to your course syllabi, specialized training, and high accountability.
- Maintain your well-being
Performing unexpectedly on an exam can be an upsetting experience, even distressing for some people. Academic success is highly reliant on personal well-being, and it is important that you take care of yourself while preparing for future exams. UBC has several wellness resources as well. If you are feeling stressed and want to talk to someone about life in general, you can book an appointment with AMS Peer Support. For students living in residence, counselors in residence also host regular events, which are great opportunities to meet with fellow students in a casual setting.
- Embrace the learning curve
First year of university is as much about the class content as it is about learning to be a student at this level. Each exam is an opportunity to refine your approach to learning and studying and to develop skills that will stay with you for the rest of your life.