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Writer's pictureSean McCormick

3 steps to improve your grades at the end of the semester

Updated: Nov 27

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Today, I will teach you how to improve your low grades as the semester nears.


This will allow you to walk away feeling proud and accomplished rather than feeling regret and wishing you had taken more action to improve your situation.


Do grades actually matter in life?

Yes and no.


Grades are what I call a "neutral indicator of value." They are one way to measure whether or not you are fully engaging in your school experience.


In this sense, you can use them to answer the question, "Am I meeting the expectations of my teacher?"


If the grades you are earning are lower than you expected, then your teacher is communicating to you that you are not doing certain things they are expecting.


Think of grades as just another form of communication that you can choose to respond to, or you can ignore.


The problem with ignoring things is that the problem usually gets worse. So it is probably better to listen and make adjustments.



Why do many students earn low grades at the end of the semester?

Many students earn low grades for several reasons. As a certified executive function coach, here are the main reasons I see students earning low grades:


No organization system

Many students have no organization system to track, prioritize, and submit their assignments.


Because of this, they only do work when something in their external environment prompts them to do work such as:


  • Sitting in class

  • Seeing others working

  • Getting an email that an assignment is missing


Being "reactive" rather than "proactive" is a recipe for a stressful life.


They don't know what to do

Many teachers would tell their students exactly what to do if only the student would ask, "What can I do to raise my grade from a 'C' to a 'B'?"


Because students lack these communication skills, they often accept their grades when a few small actions could significantly improve their situation.


Steps to improve your grades at the end of the semester


Step 1: Ask for help from your teacher

The quickest and easiest route to improving your grades is to go directly to the person who puts the grade in the grade book -- your teacher.


What if I don't feel comfortable speaking to my teacher?

If you don't feel comfortable speaking directly with your teacher, you can send them an email.

How do I find my teacher's email?


Once you find their email, send them a message along these lines:


Sample email to send your teacher to create a plan


Subject: Creating a plan to improve my grades


Hello,


I hope you are doing well. I noticed that my grade in your class is currently a (grade). My goal is to earn a (desired grade).


I plan to complete the following assignments in this order:


  1. Assignment you will complete first

  2. Assignment you will complete second

  3. Assignment you will complete third


Is there anything else you suggest I do to achieve my goal of earning (desired grade) in your class?


Will I earn full credit if I complete these and submit them to you by (choose date)?


Thank you for your guidance,


(Your Name)

If you found this email helpful and would like my detailed guide on how to communicate with your teachers, check out my article effectively:



Step 2: Create a change of scene

At this point, your teacher should have responded and told you what you can do (and cannot do) to raise your grade.


But instead of just doing what you've always done and getting the same results, you need to use the power of changing your environment to take action.


"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used to create them." (Albert Einstein)

Instead of working in your messy room where you could easily play Call of Duty or jump on the phone with one of your friends when you get bored, go somewhere that other people are studying, such as:


  • A library

  • Coffee shop

  • Study hall for students


By doing this, you are creating what is known as a "commitment device."


A commitment device is a scenario that encourages you to commit because other factors are already set in motion.


Other examples of this include:


  • Paying for a gym membership in advance

  • Agreeing to speak on a specific date, so you need to prepare

  • Buying a ticket for a trip so you need to plan the itinerary


Going to a location where people are studying will help you feel more emotionally connected to the goal. You will also be surrounded by a community of people who are doing the same thing, which will motivate you.


Step 3: Check back in with your teacher

Once you start on the plan you proposed to your teacher, check back in with them.


For example, completing the first item you proposed may take longer than expected. If that is the case, see if you have completed a modified version of the assignment and are still earning credit.


If you are a student with an IEP or 504 plan, you may already have accommodations or supports written into your plan that would allow for this—use them!


This would also be an appropriate use of AI technology like ChatGPT. You can enter a prompt like this:


Write me a short email to my teacher explaining I am struggling to complete (name of assignment) and ask if I can still turn in full credit if I complete (insert accommodation request) by (insert revised completion date).


After coaching hundreds of students as an executive function coach, I can tell you that in 99% of cases, teachers really appreciate this type of communication from students and are more flexible when the student reaches out.



Summary

Improving your grades at the end of the semester is not magic; it just takes a little strategy and effort.


Put these steps into action today and watch your grades improve so you can walk away feeling proud and accomplished:


  1. Send your teacher an email proposing a plan

  2. Go to an environment where other people are studying

  3. Check back in with your teacher and modify the plan as needed


Hope this helps 🤙🏻


P.S. These are skills that executive function coaches work on with their students. If you want to try working on them with your students, consider joining hundreds of other educators and parents who have completed my Semester Success Blueprint Course. In less than 2 hours, this comprehensive course will teach you and your student the system I developed to help hundreds of students learn how to manage school effectively and raise their self-awareness and engagement with school.






About Me

Hey! I'm Sean 👋


I'm a former public school special education teacher who realized that executive function skills are more important than knowing when George Washington crossed the Potomac.


Since then, I've made it my mission to teach anyone who will listen about how to develop these key life skills.


In 2020, I founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. We offer online EF coaching and courses to help students and families.


Realizing I could only reach so many people through coaching, in 2021 I started the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key strategies to improve executive function skills for students.


In 2023, I co-founded of UpSkill Specialists, to provide neurodivergent adults with high-quality executive function coaching services.


When not pursuing my passions through work, I love spending time with my family, getting exercise, and growing my brain through reading. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.

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