I had the same recurring dream last night that I’ve been having for 20 years. I arrive to take a final exam—sometimes it’s college, other times, high school—and I know absolutely nothing about the content. I’m going to tank the exam, and I have to start rehearsing how to tell my parents that I’m not going to graduate. All I keep thinking is, “Why didn’t I do something about this before?” It’s always a great feeling to wake up and realize nobody has taken any diplomas away from me.
Most students will be taking final exams in January. But if you’re having trouble in a course, don’t wait until then to address it. This is the time to talk to your teacher and figure out how to avoid a nightmare scenario on test day. Asking for help now sends a good message to your teacher—that you’re making an effort and willing to do your part to improve. Waiting until the last minute just looks like a desperate attempt to save your grade.
You’ve got 8-10 weeks until you take final exams. Whether your goal is to get the “A” you’ve been working towards or just to survive a course where you feel a little over your head, that’s plenty of time to influence the outcome.