Ever wonder why some students read very
hard every semester but surprisingly fail
their exams at the end of it all?
Such students read almost every day and
night and are perceived by their mates as
hardworking students who deserve to
succeed academically;
however, their poor grades keep surprising
them and everyone else.
If you study hard and your grades seem
not to reflect your hard work, then its time
you stop working hard and start working
smart.
Here are some reasons why some students
study hard but fail.
1. Upholding hard work while neglecting
smart work
Hard work is good but hard work when
done smartly is far better and produces
greater result.
Hard work starts with reading and ends
with more reading.
Students who uphold hard work while
neglecting smart work believe they must
read every note, text-book, handout and all
materials they can get to be able to pass.
On the other hand, smart work involves
reading and settling back to self-examine
whether what is being read is really
required for passing exams.
Students who seem to read less but still
perform excellently well have been able to
combine smart work and hard work. They
are able to smartly figure out what they
need to read to pass. They know they
don’t have to read all the textbooks in the
library to be able perform well.
2. Not knowing when it’s enough
Studying saps energy. When you become
tired while reading it is important you take
a break, take a walk or go watch TV
before returning to your books.
Most students read hard and fail because
they stay glued to their books even when
they’re exhausted and need rest. In such
condition everything they’ll be reading
stops making sense but they continue
nonetheless.
3. Having difficulty prioritizing what’s
important
Not all courses or subjects are read the
same. Seemingly difficult subjects or
courses should be given higher priority.
Also, courses that are prerequisites are
more important than electives and thus
must be given more priority as we study.
4. Focusing on “I don’t want to fail”
instead of “I want to pass”
This is a mind game. Winners always
focus their minds on winning.
From personal experience, I see that most
students who read more than others but
still fail do their read out of fear.
They afraid of failing hence they often say
things like: “I don’t want to fail”. Fear is
their motivation.
The solution to is to focus our minds on “I
want to pass” so I’ll read.
5. Putting their books first and themselves
second
They read all day and night while they
forget about the need to take care of
themselves. Haven’t you seen those who
read from the first day of resumption to
the last week of lectures only to fall sick
in the week of exams? They stress and
wear themselves out.
6. They read all the time instead of at
‘their right time’
There is often the ‘right time’ to read for
every student. This is often the time of
the day when you are able to grasp and
understand more as you read. For some
their right time to read is at night.
Students who read hard and still fail read
at all times even when it’s not necessary.
At the end of the day, they are perceived
to be serious and hardworking students
but they have no results to show for their
labour.
If this issue affects you I hope this write-
up helps you to understand how you ought
to adjust.
Are there more reasons why some
hardworking students fail despite their
rigorous studies? Tell us about it.