Overcoming the harmful patterns that lead to bad grades
Kelly Davis
-Copy Editor Emeritus-
Every semester, a student or two begins to slack or fall behind in class. They can do two things:
find a way to succeed, or fail.
At STLCC-Meramec, many students stress, becoming overwhelmed by schoolwork and personal
lives, and destroy his/her GPAs. Fortunately, this can be fixed once the problem is discovered, and actions are taken in order to find a solution. The results, of course, may vary.
“Students stress at various times, I think. Beginning of the semester when they feel overwhelmed. Then
they get used to things, and procrastinate… then it hits them the last several weeks of the semester,” Christopher Smejkal, STLCC-Meramec communications professor, said.
Smejkal said it is important for every student to depict those times of stress and prioritize life, as
well as education. As for Meramec student Angie Hale, she realized she was stressing when she discovered her classes were not applicable to transfer to Webster University.
“I found out some of my classes this semester don’t even transfer to Webster and I got really frustrated and haven’t been to many classes for two weeks now.”
Aside from skipping class, Hale said she stopped turning in homework. “I pretty much got
overwhelmed by all of my classes and stress took over,” Hale said. However, Hale took charge and found a solution to success. “I talked to Webster’s academic department to let them know that I have two classes I don’t think I passed and they said that it is fine, I will just have to retake them there. My
other classes I don’t need in order to get my bachelor’s degree,” Hale said.
Another Meramec student, Harley Davis, said his grades were struggling due to his math class. “I hate math. I found someone to help me, but they are always too busy and they wait till the last minute to help me,” Davis said.
Davis said he wished he went to the math tutors at Meramec instead, but he felt they would be disappointed with his frequent visits.
Teachers like Smejkal agreed that instead of panicking and feeling discouraged, students should talk to their professors for help. They can give solutions, such as extra credit assignments, working ahead, and one-on-one mentoring. There are also tutors throughout campus that are willing to help, such as mathematics and the writing center. The tutors are available Monday through Friday for all students.
Smejkal said it also helps to study with other students and attend class regularly; again, prioritize and let everything fall into place.
“I think students should always strive to do well, but I also try to stress that a real education doesn’t always come from the books. It comes from the connections they make with other students and teachers. Go to concerts and plays, get involved in activities… make the most of their experience. Instead of just going to work, going to school, going to work, going to school, you have to do more than that. Yes, it’s tough, but it will be worth it in the end,” Smejkal said.
