Where to Start When You are Not Making a Good Result

You’re not one of the backbenchers who comes to school for having that one tag written and then goes home, and you’re not one of the first benchers who cry when they score 85%. You’re an average student, as most of us are, totally unrelated to everybody but then going through most of the same stuff. And one of those things, inevitably, is doing a bad result.

You see, you failed a subject- probably math, probably physics or Bangla. Your parents are disappointed if not hysteric, and you’ve formally become invisible to your class teacher other than scalding looks from time to time. Your friends just can’t relate.

You want to do better, but how?

It’s the same classes, same boring lectures. Your mum is probably making you go to 5 new tuitions but you don’t understand a single thing they do there.

So here’s where you should start. Troubleshooting.

What is Troubleshooting?

What’s the first step when, say, a machine starts malfunctioning? Finding where the problem is. That is essentially what troubleshooting is. We find the source of the problem, then take steps to solve it. It’s much the same when it comes to studies. First thing you need to do after you make a bad result- is find where the problem is.

How to find out the problem

Evaluation. Your school/college has already done that part. It’s best if you can have your hands on the answer sheets from the exam. Instead of holding it like a badge of dishonour, flip through it. A suggestion, please save up the questions. See what is wrong, why you’ve scored less. If you can’t have the answer papers, maybe sneak a picture for later evaluation. Please don’t hesitate to ask the teacher. If they shout at you, you’re just going to have to deal with it, but most often they don’t get annoyed until you’re trying to make them give you more marks. Go ask that one friend your mum keeps comparing you to everytime, or someone you like a bit better- and ask them what they do. You don’t have to follow them word by word, but you’ll have an insight.

Common issues

So what is your problem? It can depend on the subject, or time, or the situation on that day. Factor in everything. Most of the time, you’re scared of the subject. Maybe you are just scared of failing. Maybe you weren’t feeling well on the day of the exam, maybe the invigilator was strict as hell. Alright, factor them in. But the main problems are usually one of the problems below:

• Time management:

If you didn’t get marks because you couldn’t finish writing, you have a problem with time management. This usually happens if you haven’t appeared in exams enough, or didn’t practice writing and focused more on reading part of the study.

• Concentration:

If, suppose, you’re failing in math because you missed something like a plus or minus, wrote x instead of y, or made a silly mistake like that, you’re not an idiot. You’re just not having enough practice. This means you need to practice more, and concentrate hard. Maybe time to cut off the Spotify playlist while doing trigonometry. For now. I promise you can get back to that.

• Unclear basics:

If there are subjects you’re failing at because you just don’t understand how everything works even after studying so many times, you have problems in your basics. In that case, time to get back to the front. It doesn’t matter that most of your friends have finished 60% of their syllabus. For those of you who are going to appear in a board exam, it doesn’t matter if your school/college has an exam either, because the main exam is what matters, so flip back to the first chapters, go through the basics shortly. Ask help from teachers, watch videos, observe friends. Maybe bunk classes a little less? I’m a huge believer in enjoying the school life/college life beyond the walls of the classroom, but not until I’ve an acceptable grade on my result card.

• Other issues:

Aside from the main sources, there are many other little things that affect our results, even if we think they’re not important points to ponder on. Maybe there’s a problem with your sleeping schedule, your diet, where you’re studying, your learning style.

What’s the next step?

Solving them. Most of the time if you have figured out what the problem is, the lion’s share of your work is done. Just focus on the solution of that part through your next drive. Your trouble can be anything- concentration, practice, time management. Maybe you’re someone whose brain catches something better when you write it down. In that case ask your tutors to stop doing the math for you and let the pen and copy in your hand while they teach. Maybe it’s the opposite, you do better remembering when you listen. Then adopt your tutors accordingly. 

So that’s all about what you can do when you’re doing unexpected results, and don’t know where to start. Start with finding your problems with honesty, and work on it. It’s really easier than you think.

Aysha Tehnan

General Manager

Set to Success

Aysha Tehnan is a student of Adamjee Cantonment College (HSC batch 2022). She passed SSC from Shaheed Bir Uttom Lt. Anwar Girls’ College in 2020, and is now acting as the General Manager of Set to Success. She worked with literature clubs and debate clubs of her institutions during her high school and college tenure. She’s a passionate writer, and likes to fiddle with art and crafts in her free time.