Start off with something like, “I know you guys aren’t happy with my report card and I wanted to talk to you about bringing my grades up. " If your parents ask you questions in anger (i. e. , “Do you have any idea how much we sacrifice for you to get an education?”) respond in a calm fashion on your end (i. e. , “I know you guys want me to do well and I’m sorry I let you down. “)
A day or two before the grade arrives, try saying something like, “I don’t think I did very well this semester in chemistry and my grade might be low. "
Thinking about the talk and how to explain your bad grade will help you calm your nerves. Not only that, it should let you organize your thoughts, leading to a more productive and successful discussion.
It can help to pause and take deep breaths during the conversation. If things get heated, ask your parents if you can take a break for a second to regroup. It’s OK to express discomfort to your parents or to ask for help with school. In fact, your parents will probably be more open and willing to help you if you are honest about how you feel. You can then work together to improve.
For example, say, “I know I was on my phone too much this semester and I shouldn’t have brought it into class. That’s probably why my grades aren’t great. "
Try sitting down with your parents to outline goals for improvement, too. Set benchmarks together and ask your parents for help in meeting these – including your parents will make them a part of the process and keep you accountable. For example, say your grades were down because you were spending more time talking to friends online than studying. Offer to cut back on your computer time or stay off the internet until you’ve completed your homework.
For example, say something like, “I’m trying really hard in chemistry, but I’m really struggling to understand it. Can we look into a private tutor to help?”
Pay attention during class by taking notes, avoiding electronics, and not sitting near friends. Ask questions if anything confuses you and schedule a private meeting with your teacher. Avoid procrastinating on your homework and study for tests and quizzes well in advance.
