Hi Amy,

I understand because I have failed hard even though I am smart, too.*

I recall getting an E on an English paper in 9th grade. I never did that poorly before. By my freshman college year, I started the first semester at the 200-level in English.

Then, I flunked out of a masters program. Years later, I did it at another school, getting a 3.80 GPA.

I learned how to study effectively and efficiently when I did the one-year masters program while working full-time.

We masters students collaborated a Lot. Are you working with some study buddies?

I thrived in my masters because I was 100% engaged. Are you?

For a test, we students divided up the reading to make summary notes. Then we shared them to make a complete study guide. Then we met with buckets of coffee at a coffee shop to walk through and discuss our notes. Then, we each studied on our own. I would read each page until I was comfortable. I would go back to original references plus some web searches to see what others say. Starting with a to-do pile leading to a done pile, I would review it all before bed – a psychologist suggested this and he had a PhD so… – and just before taking the test. A similar level of effort on papers, except much more independent work. Are you doing this?

The point is, we all fail and we can all can. You just have to try new approaches. Go for it!

Big blue

*humble brag 🙂

• This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by Big blue.
• This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by Big blue.