The semester has officially ended, and final grades have been submitted. For many of you, this is a moment of satisfaction, reflecting a semester of hard work. For others, I know the final grade is a deep disappointment.
If you are reading this because you received a failing grade, I want to address you directly. I understand the frustration that can come with this outcome. It is natural to seek a different result, and I have received several emails asking if there is anything that can be done to change the grade.
This post is my attempt to answer that question transparently and to provide a path forward. I am not writing this out of a lack of care; I am writing it out of a commitment to fairness and the academic integrity of our program.
Why I Cannot Change Your Grade
The final grade in this course is not a judgment of your potential; it is a direct reflection of your performance on the assignments, exams, and other graded activities as outlined in our syllabus or learning management system. To retroactively alter a grade for one student would be unfair to every other student in the class—those who met the deadlines, those who juggled the same competing priorities and managed to pass, and even those who may have been just a few points shy of a higher grade.
The course policies and deadlines were the same for everyone. Offering a "do-over" to one student after the semester has ended would fundamentally undermine the structure of the course and devalue the efforts of all other students. The time for completing the work was during the semester, not after the final grades have been calculated and submitted. In most of my courses, I offer bonus points and extra credit, which I trust you have noticed.
A Moment for Honest Reflection
I do not enjoy reporting a failing grade. My goal is for every student to master the material and succeed in my class and in the future. However, when I look at the records of students who did not pass, most of the reasons tend to be very similar. They often include:
A pattern of missed deadlines: In the world of business, meeting deadlines is a critical competency. Our course was structured to help you build this skill.
Last-minute or incomplete submissions: Procrastination is a significant barrier to success in an advanced course. The material requires sustained engagement, not a last-ditch effort.
Subpar teamwork: Most of my classes include teamwork assignments because this is the way businesses work. Teamwork evaluations help me identify performance levels in this aspect.
A lack of communication: When challenges arose during the semester, the time to discuss them was then, not now.
If you find yourself in this position, I urge you to resist the temptation to place blame externally. Instead, take this as a serious opportunity for self-assessment. What were the real obstacles to your success in this course? What choices did you make regarding your priorities and time management? An honest answer to these questions is the first step toward ensuring this does not happen again.
Your Path Forward
A failing grade is just a stumble, not a permanent disqualifier. You are in a rigorous academic program, and challenges are a part of that journey. Your resilience in the face of this obstacle is what will define you, not the grade itself.
I strongly encourage you to connect with your academic advisor to discuss your options and create a plan for future success. The university offers a wealth of resources, from academic skills workshops to wellness and counseling services, that are designed to help you thrive. Please use them.
While I cannot change your grade, I am willing to have a constructive conversation about your performance to help you identify areas for improvement, once the new semester starts. However, please understand that the purpose of such a conversation would be for your future development, not to renegotiate the grade.
This is a difficult but important lesson in accountability and responsibility—two cornerstones of effective management. I trust you will learn and grow from it and move forward with renewed focus.
With best wishes,
~Dr. O
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