The key to a good grade is practical studying. And if you’re working hard but still getting bad grades, you’re likely missing something. Have you ever wondered Why do I study and still fail exams in class every semester?
If you are such student which read almost daily and night and their your peers perceive you as hardworking student who deserve to succeed academically; however, your poor grades continue to surprise them and everyone else. If you study hard, but your grades do not appear to reflect your efforts, it is time to stop working hard and start working smart.
The first step is to determine your problem and how to solve it.
Why do I study and still fail, despite studying (plus tips to Guide)
Reason #1: You’re Suffering From Test Anxiety
The problem: If you get so nervous before a test that your mind goes blank, you may suffer from test anxiety. This makes it difficult to recall what you studied and focus on answering the questions.
The solution: Try to relax on test day if you’ve studied and know the material. Think positive thoughts (“I studied for this, I know the material”) and practice deep breathing while taking the exam.
Reason #2: You’re not studying to learn.
The problem: When you study, you only memorize the material without considering what it means.
The solution: It is critical to understand the material rather than memorize it. Consider how the material you’re reviewing relates to other topics and ideas. This will give you a more comprehensive understanding of your studies.
Reason #3: You do not begin studying early
The problem: You put off studying because you don’t give yourself enough time to learn the material before the test.
The solution: Make a habit of reviewing your notes regularly. Take a few minutes each night to review your class notes. This ongoing review will assist you in remembering the material in the long run.
Reason #4: You’re organizing all-night study sessions.
The problem: Instead of studying a little bit each day leading up to the test, you pull all-night cram sessions.
The solution: Getting a good night’s sleep before a test is more effective than staying up all night. To avoid last-minute late-night studying, start studying at least three days before your test.
Reason #5: You’re attempting to do too much.
The problem: You study for hours on end without taking a break. However, studying more time does not always imply that you understand the material better.
The solution: instead of studying in large blocks of time, try the spacing study method. This entails studying for predetermined amounts of time, with time intervals between sessions. This will aid your brain’s ability to absorb and retain information.
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Reason #6: You Don’t Have A Study Plan
The problem: You don’t have a plan to guide your study sessions, so it’s difficult to know what to focus on while studying.
The solution: Set goals for what you want to achieve in each study session. This will allow you to keep track of your progress and identify which areas still require attention.
Reason #7: You’re focusing on the wrong things.
The problem: Your study sessions are going well, but when it comes time to take the test, you notice questions you did not include in your review notes.
The solution: Begin taking more organized and efficient study notes. Pay close attention to what your teacher says in class (especially if they repeat something!). Highlight these points in your notes so you can refer back to them later.
Reason #8: You Only Study For The Exam
The problem: Studying is something you only do when you have a test.
The solution: Utilize study opportunities such as class discussions, peer study groups, and reviewing your notes after class. Studying a little bit every day makes learning (and remembering) the material more accessible, giving you a head start on test day.
Reason #9: You’re Using the Wrong Method of Learning
The problem: You’re studying in a way that doesn’t correspond to how you learn. Auditory learners, for example, discover best by hearing rather than writing notes.
The solution: Discover your learning style with our comprehensive study guide for all types of learners. Then, experiment with various study methods to find the ones that work best for you:
- Auditory learners: While reviewing material, read your notes aloud.
- Visual learners: Use mind maps to visualize the material or graphic elements such as color.
- Read/Write learners: read over class notes and make new study notes to go over
- Kinesthetic (hands-on) learners: Make hands-on study activities, such as a matching game.
What exactly is studying?
To avoid wondering Why do I study and still fail you have to understand what is studying.
Studying is simply recalling information on demand repeatedly and actively. In other words, learning prepares you to try to remember information over and over again.
So, how exactly do you study? There are numerous methods for studying or, as previously stated, for repetitively and actively recalling information on demand.
The most common method is to create your quizzes. Another method of studying is to use flashcards, not just flip them back and forth. Here’s the deal:
- Work with only two at a time until you’ve mastered them.
- Add another flashcard to the mix (now you have three).
- Concentrate solely on these three until you are entirely familiar with them.
- Add another to the mix, and so on.
Another basic study strategy is to write down a list of questions (from your textbook, worksheets, or notes) and then attempt to answer them. The “trying to answer them” part IS studying because when you strain your brain for a moment, trying to remember information, you build the neural networks that allow you to access that material. (If you don’t know the answer to a question, look it up and study it.)
If you forget the answer to something you’ve just learned (lol and ugh), know that this is TOLERATED. I explain why you should ignore what you study in this section.
What exactly is studying not?
To avoid wondering Why do I study and still fail you have to understand what is not studying but rather Reading.
• Rereading notes is not studying.
• Rereading textbook chapters is not the same as studying.
• Going over Google Slides presentations isn’t the same as studying.
• Flipping through flashcards isn’t the same as studying.
Why do I study and still fail
Many students today will tell you that many of the courses they failed or performed poorly in were courses they truly prepared for. But the real question is, “How did they prepare for those exams?” Did they start studying a few days before the exam, or did they crash-read everything they’ve learned in the course the day before the exam? Below are the reasons why you study and still fail
No study style
Many students today are unaware of the best study method for them. As a result, they continue to study hard in the wrong way and receive poor marks. Perhaps your friends excel at group study, and as a result, you’ve also been studying with them in groups. But how are things going for you? Not all students are created equal! Just because your friends do it that way doesn’t mean you have to join their reading groups.
Take your time to figure out what style works best for you and stick with it. It could be day reading rather than night reading, group reading rather than solo reading, or reading with past questions rather than guide-less reading. Whatever it may be. Whatever it is you find your style to be, always work with that!
Over-confidence and lack of trust in God
When students read on their own, they’re planning to fail. Students often experience retarded success or poor academic performance because they refuse to hook on to the Author of success – God. He’s the giver of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. And the minute you decide to believe only in your abilities instead of God’s strength is the moment you set your path to failure.
Always pray to him before, after, and during your examinations. When doubts start to rear their ugly heads, do not hesitate to talk to your God and believe he’ll come through for you.
Lesser retentive memory: difficulty in retaining Subject Matter
Students are not all the same. Some people require less time to comprehend and retain information. However, some people find it challenging to recall information during assessments despite their efforts. It is, in fact, one of the most common reasons why students who work tirelessly on their studies fail.
If you discover this type of student, go back to reason #1 and prepare ahead of time. This will help you remember what you’ve studied better because you’ll have more time to explore the same concepts over and over.
Family instability
Students from broken or troubled families frequently struggle to translate their hard work into solid results. The emotional instability around them often has a direct impact on their psychological health as well. So, even if the student is working hard to ignore everything that is bothering him, his subconscious mind may take over and sabotage his efforts.
Anxiety
When truth arrives, students may freeze out of fear or anxiety. Yes, test anxiety is widespread among students. Once in the examination room, nervousness, nausea, or uneasiness may occur. No hard work can save the situation at that point, and things eventually go downhill. In such cases, perhaps a psychological consultant to deal with such fears should be brought into the picture; otherwise, their dreams and aspirations may go unfulfilled.
Wrong Course
If I may ask, are you in the correct department? Are you taking a course that interests you, or are you being forced to take it? Parents may move students into a particular discipline, or students may make the wrong choice due to peer pressure. Whatever the reason, a student who does not have a natural aptitude for science will struggle no matter how far she goes. Of course, careful selection is required to ensure that a student’s hard work is recognized.
Bad time management
Exam success is determined as much by your time management abilities as it is by the number of sleepless nights you’ve had. All your study time and effort will be for naught if you spend more time than necessary on a single question.
Sometimes a student is prepared to answer every question on the paper, but one question stands out. Yes, a question appears and never seems to be resolved. Students become stuck on such questions until it is too late to attempt the rest of the paper well.
To avoid this, always begin your exams by allotting specific times to each question. When the timer for one question expires, proceed to the next. Make time to review the questions again so that you can make corrections, complete any incomplete questions, and complete all of the sessions.
Conclusion
There is only a thin line separating success and failure, and your ability to recognize this line will determine the success or failure of your academic career. Take your time choosing which of the above reasons apply and work on making the necessary changes. You’re only a few tweaks away from becoming the A-student you were born to be. Not the student that always wondered Why do I study and still fail.
