Semester Results – Grades are important, but they don’t define who you are!

Have you seen your semester results yet?

Many students become anxious when the time for the release of results draws near. In Bayero University, Kano, they call it ‘ankape’, meaning the time when results are ‘pasted’ on notice boards.

This post is designed to help you have a positive view towards your semester results. You should know that grades are important, but they don’t define who you are!

Why Do We Write Exams?

One of the common questions that students often ask is, ‘Why do we write exams anyway?’

Among other things, exams and tests are a great way to assess what the students have learned with regards to particular subjects. They help in determining whether a student can progress to the next stage or not. When you pass your courses, all is good. But when you fail, you get a carryover or repeat, as the case may be.

Check out how to get over your first carryover.

Who Invented Exams?

Sometimes, students go further to ask, ‘Who invented exams?’

According to recruitmentzilla, exams were invented in the 19th century by Henry Fischel, an American-German professor, philanthropist, and businessman. Professor Fischel came up with exams as a tool to assess the overall understanding of students as well as their ability to apply the knowledge.

Do Exams Really Reflect the Intelligence or Brilliance of Students?

Honestly, this is a tricky question. Exams may assess the academic performance of students in terms of testing their memory retention, problem-solving skills and understanding. However, they are not the only reflection of a person’s knowledge!

There are various means through which a person may showcase brilliance, such as practical work and creative endeavours. Even in schools, progress testing has been identified to have an impact on student’s performance in their finals.

Let’s be guided – only hard work, persistence and prayers can help achieve success and growth. I know friends and colleagues whose grades have opened up internship opportunities for them before or after graduation!

Are Exam Results Important?

Are you really wondering whether your exam results matter?

Well, of course, they do! Examinations are inevitable for students in institutes of learning and the outcomes of every exam are always definite. Either a student passes or fails the subject or course. Meanwhile, the extent of the ‘importance’ may vary due to one reason or the other.

For example, if you’re studying to become a doctor, an engineer or any other professional who needs to pass a lot of examinations to earn their professional qualifications, you’ll definitely view exams as really important. On the other hand, if you just adopted an elective that has no relationship to your course, you might not consider the results of its exams as very important.

But guess what?

In Nigeria, exams are generally taken to be very important. Even in the case of electives, you should try your best to pass them well because:

• Your grades in any course contribute to your final grades… Hence, passing your elective courses will help boost your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
• Elective courses are often not as difficult as core courses. Hence, they serve as a refreshing break from the monotony of core courses!

Grades are important, but they don’t define who you are!

If you have just received your grades from the last semester/session, congratulations!

It’s one of two possibilities: you either pass the course or you are asked to repeat the course. Regardless of the grade, you are one step ahead. Learning will always be part of the process, to either gain higher grades or to comfortably pass the course next time.

Since the University operates on a cumulative grading system, there is always room to appreciate more hard work and persistence. In my experience, I have seen situations where students work extremely hard and it changes their class of degree.

With this synopsis, I will share with you formulas that worked for me throughout my undergraduate studies up till now, especially when my grades don’t meet up my expectations.

1. Ratify it this time, and set an Intention for the Next:

Don’t let the current situation overwhelm or drown you in sad thoughts. Learning is a process and we can skip each curve.

Interestingly, our failure can be a good motivator for us. Hence, we shouldn’t entertain such profound feelings of loss or regrets. To use failure in any course to your advantage, you should:

• Identify action plans that will allow you to achieve your target goals.
• Stick to a feasible reading routine.
• Sit down and analyze your previous actions.
• Figure out those suspicious activities (distractions) and eliminate them.
• Put more effort into your strengths.

Yes…You Can Do It!

2. Understand Yourself Better:

This may sound funny to some. You might wonder, ‘How can I understand myself better?’

Yes, a lot of people fall into the trap of following the style of some of their friends/classmates, especially the Kwaris (the top students). However, instead of excelling, they end up failing while the other person they emulate keeps excelling.

It’s important to note that we are not all the same. Not only physically or socially, but academically too! While some people can only study during the night, others can only read at night, surrounded by colleagues.

Some study best in the library while others prefer sitting under a tree, listening to music and gisting with friends. Therefore, you don’t have to copy anybody’s style! Instead, you should know your potential and study the right way.

3. Start preparing NOW:

If you fail to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

Benjamin Franklin

Many people fail due to late preparation and procrastination. They end up writing the exams not fully prepared.

To prevent any sad reactions to your exam results, start preparing for exams from the very first day of the semester. Don’t let go of any attendance, classwork, assignment or test thinking that you could cover up in the future works.

Some read on the first day of the semester as if they are having exams the next day, that`s perfectly right if that style will work. Read: How to Avoid Procrastination and Engage in Productive Studying.

4. Don’t Exceed your Limit:

For those that have carry-overs from the previous level(s), be considerate when registering for a new session. Don’t overload yourself with the courses of the previous levels and your current level courses, ending up not giving each one the right they deserve and still falling back again and again.

Register for courses within your limit. It doesn’t matter if you reach the destination late; the goal is to reach there.

What is the point of graduating early with a result that you will be ashamed of taking home after several years? Know that even if it will take you to spill over, it`s not too bad as long as the goal is reached.

5. Prioritize the primary Assignment

With the prevailing conditions in most Nigerian universities, it may not be possible for a student to be there from the beginning to the end of the semester or session.

Some get into business, politics, sports or other extra activities. These activities don’t become a problem until you forget what your priorities are.

The primary reason we get into university is academics. So, to be on the right track, this primary assignment should always be on your mind. Never let any activity cross your way if it will tamper with the primary task.

Conclusion

Ultimately, bear in your mind that you can succeed in life no matter what your results look like, as long as you pursue your passion with discipline… Follow the right track and always ask for guidance when stuck or confused about what to do. With perseverance, preparation and prayers, everything is possible.

At SmartBukites, we wish you all the best! Stay tuned to our website and social media channels @smartbukites for more interesting updates, tutorials and career development content.