Whether you’re a first-year student or a final-year student, we all need support and some extra guidance at times. Below are a few tips on how to overcome the most common reasons for failing a course.
English language skills
- Talk to your lecturers or tutors about parts of the lecture or course you had difficulty understanding
- Join an English conversation group at ACT Libraries or you could start your own!
- Reduce your study load. You may find that taking a reduced number of courses gives you more time to really focus on the courses in which you are enrolled. Domestic students can drop courses before Census to achieve a reduced study load, but international students must apply.
- Practice English every day. Speak only English with your friends. Read only English books, newspapers and websites, as well as watch only television programs, movies and vlogs that have English as the audio language.
Improving your academic skills
- Ask for feedback from your lecturers and tutors on how you’re progressing, especially after any assessment.
- Talk to your lecturers or tutors about things you don’t understand. Ask them for extra study material, which may help you increase your understanding, or ways to practice a problem you’re having trouble with.
- Book an appointment with the ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre. They offer a range of services, which could help you in more than way.
- Reduce your study load. You may find that taking a reduced number of courses gives you more time to focus on the courses in which you are enrolled. Domestic students can drop courses before Census to achieve a reduced study load, but international students must apply.
Preparing for exams
- Talk to your lecturers or tutors and ask them for suggestions on ways to prepare for the exam.
- Talk to the ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre. They may have workshops or other resources to help you prepare.
- Go to the ANU Library and find recent past exams for your course. Practice the exam under normal exam conditions and timing. You may like to take one of your attempts to your tutor for feedback. If the library doesn’t have a recent past exam for your course, ask your lecturer whether it is possible to provide one to the library so you can practice.
Managing a medical condition
- If you have an ongoing medical condition or a condition, which is short-term, but severe enough that it may require special arrangements to assist your study, you should register with ANU Access and Inclusion.
- Seek support from the ANU Health Service or ANU Counselling Centre.
- Reduce your study load. You may find that taking a reduced number of courses gives you more time to focus on the courses in which you are enrolled.
- Request program leave, as this will give you the time you need to deal with the situation and return with better focus to your studies.
Navigating external stressors such as family situations or work related concerns
- See the ANU Counselling Centre and get support in dealing with the pressures you’re under.
- Reduce your study load. You may find that taking a reduced number of courses gives you more time to really focus on the courses in which you are enrolled.
- Request program leave, as this will give you the time you need to deal with the situation and return with better focus to your studies.
- Reduce the hours that you work while you’re studying.
The CBE Student Services team is here to help. If you have questions or concerns please come and talk to us. Our Student Services desk is open 9.30am–4pm Monday to Friday, and is located on the Ground Floor of the CBE Building 26C Kingsley Street. If you are on campus and require assistance, please stop by the Student Services Desk. It is open 9.30am-4pm, Monday to Friday, and is located on the Ground Floor of CBE Building 26C.
If you can’t be on campus right now or prefer to speak to someone remotely, you can email info.cbe@anu.edu.au. Click here to make an in-person or Zoom appointment.