We are all afraid to fail a test or assignment. It makes you feel bad and possibly even depressed. To bounce back after failure is one of the most important skills you can learn in life. How can you improve your bouncing skills? Well start by reading the following 10 reasons Why students fail:

1. Not really motivated to study - Many students are not really motivated to study. They go to uni/college because their parents tell them, or they just don’t know anything else to do. As study may not be your cup of tea, you may be better off to go and seek work. Whatever it is: don’t waste your time in class if you are highly unmotivated. Take action and do something about your situation: either quit, ask for help, or get motivated!

2. Missing class: not really your fault - You may miss classes due to bad health, or because you need to work to make money, or because you had to help others who were sick. These are good reasons but they may prevent you from finding enough time to do the necessary study. If you are in this situation, it is a good idea to ask your teacher for an extension. It means that you will get extra time to finish your assignments. Go to your teacher and ask about it, it may prevent you from failing!

3. Missing class your fault! - It is a beautiful day and you rather go to the beach than class. Of course that can happen, however there is a problem in Australia: there are so many beautiful days that you could miss the whole semester if you would go to the beach each time there is a bit of wonderful sunshine. There are numerous reasons to miss class but only a few good ones. Plan your activities around class and try not to miss too many. Not only will your results improve, but you will make friends during class and have the possibility to practice your English!
    
4. Too much pressure - Too much pressure from parents to succeed can paralyse students and make them fail. Not having enough confidence because you do not speak the language or because you feel like you are not good enough can put a lot of pressure on a student. If the stress becomes too much, please go and seek help. Every university has mental support or study coaches etc. They are professionals, who are there to help, so don’t wait till it is too late.
   
   Pressure from fellow students can be another problem. Some friends may not want you to study and laugh at you going to class. Maybe they are jealous or insecure or just plain selfish. Whatever it is: please tell them that study is important to you because you want to achieve something in your life that is meaningful. If they don’t listen, and keep bothering you, maybe it is time to grow up and start looking for other friends that do appreciate all your hard efforts.
    
5. Bad behaviour in class - There is a whole list of behaviour in class that can make you, and others fail such as: not realizing the importance of active listening in class, poor note-taking skills, showing up for class unprepared, not taking advantage of tutorials, dreaming away, playing computer games in class, talking on your mobile during class, showing up late and leaving early, talking with your friends during lectures. For the sake of yourself wasting your time and others being disturbed: please try to avoid bad behaviour in class or rather stay away!
    
6. Bad preparation for class - Failing to read the prescribed text or to review lecture notes will really affect your learning during class. Preparing for class will not only improve your learning, but it enables you to become an active participant which is great for you teacher, your fellow students and ultimately yourself!
    
7. Cramming for tests: get your timing right! - Everybody is guilty of procrastination. It is a difficult English word for delaying work. There is always a reason not to study, you just need to talk to your mother, or you need to answer questions on facebook or .....you name it! Procrastination is human, but get your timing right. As long as you start in time to be able to finish your assignment, or get a good result for you tests it does not really matter. But get your timing wrong, and start too late and you will not be able to catch up and maybe fail the class. Believe me: one extra day to prepare for exams or presentations can make the difference between pass or fail!
    
8. Socializing/Partying too much - Students party a lot and there is nothing wrong with some great nights out. However be aware about how well you cope with the combination of alcohol and little sleep. Studying cost energy and can be tiresome sometimes, especially if you need to study till deep in the night because of an assignment needing to be handed in the next day. Also: because your brains need energy to study, you must make sure that you eat enough. So don’t skip meals but eat regularly. It is very important to know your own limitations and be smart about when you party! Have fun!
    
9. Too stressed for exams - Some students learn really hard and work till deep in the night. However they lack confidence and self belief. They may even black out during a presentation of exam. If you recognise this, please remember the Australian way of doing: after you’ve done you preparation there is nothing you can do than give it a go! Give it your best shot and if you’ve done your preparation well you will succeed! If you feel that the stress takes over, please look for help. Ask your teacher or fellow students, go online in the Kangaruni forum and ask others. Don’t sit back but take action!
    
10. Just not smart enough: ask for help! - If you are an average student like most of us, and you enrol in elementary physics you may feel a small problem coming up: you are probably not smart enough! So be realistic about your capabilities and act as soon as you notice that the course is too hard for you. Don't ask for help when it is too late, change course!