Feeling Wrongly on the Verge of Failing English
I’m a 9th grader and I’m really worried I might fail my honors English class. If you told my past self that I would be in this situation, I wouldn’t have believed it. I finished the first semester with all A’s, and with the end of the third quarter just two weeks away, I feel like I’m in a freefall. I’ve always been a dedicated student, and English has typically been one of my strongest subjects.
The issue stems from my teacher’s stringent grading and the lack of clear communication. There are constant misunderstandings, and she seems to have continual critiques about my writing and test responses. My friends in the same honors class are maintaining A’s, but I can’t help but feel like they’re being graded more leniently, even though they perform similarly, if not worse than I do. English is inherently subjective, and even with grading rubrics, the system feels unfair.
Recently, I went from an A- to a D- in just one week because my teacher misunderstood my essay! I revised as she suggested, and now I’m anxiously waiting for my new grade. Initially, I received a 5/45 for my essay, which I think stemmed from her not grading it properly, but I’m still unsure.
There’s one final essay left, and although I believe I can do well, the anxiety makes it hard to think straight. Even reading articles now makes me nervous, and my hands shake as I type. I feel like I won’t be able to produce anything decent, and I fear that despite my efforts, I’ll only score a 10/65 on this one. If I do, I’ll fail the class.
It’s frustrating to think that my teacher is treating 9th-grade English like it’s a life-or-death situation; the last essay was about To Kill a Mockingbird, for goodness’ sake! I wrote six pages and made sure to include all the necessary components, so I can’t wrap my head around the situation. This also has me anxious about my future grades and honestly makes me dread the prospect of graduating high school. I know I’m capable, but this experience has really shaken my confidence. It’s just so overwhelming.
I’m really sorry to hear that you’re going through such a tough time. It sounds incredibly frustrating to feel like you’re doing everything right but still facing these challenges with your teacher’s grading. Remember, it’s not uncommon for students to struggle with certain classes or teachers, even when they’ve had success in other subjects.
First, I want to reassure you that you still have a chance to turn things around with your final essay. It’s understandable to feel anxious, especially when you care about doing well. Here are a few things you might consider doing:
Seek Clarification: If you haven’t already, try to have a conversation with your teacher about her grading practices. It might help to ask her for specific feedback on what you can improve in your writing. This could clarify what she is looking for and give you better direction for your final essay.
Work with Peers: Since you have friends who are doing well in the class, maybe you could ask them for advice or help with your writing. They may have insights about what your teacher values in essays that could help you.
Practice Relaxation Techniques: It sounds like anxiety is really impacting your ability to perform. Consider some techniques like deep breathing, taking breaks when you feel overwhelmed, or even writing in a journal to express your feelings. Sometimes just getting those anxious thoughts out can help clear your mind.
Focus on What You Can Control: While it’s tough, try to focus on putting your best effort into the final essay. You can’t control your teacher’s grading, but you can control how much time and effort you put into the essay.
Talk to Someone: If this situation is weighing heavily on you, it might help to talk to a school counselor or another trusted adult. They can provide support and may be able to advocate on your behalf if needed.
Remember, high school is just one part of your life, and one class doesn’t define your entire future. Whatever happens, know that you can learn and grow from this experience. You’re clearly passionate about your education, and that will serve you well in the long run. You’ve got this!