How do I tell my parents?

@malihat (216)
July 3, 2010 8:51am CST
Hello everyone. So I have a bit of a problem. My second year university results are out and they aren't very good. I've passed all my modules but got a 2:2 overall (53%), which really isn't good. I do take full responsibility for it though. I didn't work as hard as I should have. The problem is, my parents are financially contributing towards my education so I know they're not going to be too pleased. How do I tell them?
1 person likes this
19 responses
@Ladyslipper (1327)
• Philippines
4 Jul 10
Hi Malihat, Good day! I'm a mother and if my son will be in the same situation as yours I'd want him to tell it to me instead of doing something silly. I would definitely get upset but it will not last for long. I would scold him about it and he's going to get a very long lecture. lolz. However, in the end it will all go well. I'd accept his apology and would just make sure that moving forward he would study better.
@malihat (216)
6 Jul 10
Thank you so much for your response! Since you are a mother, your response was very helpful. I am pretty sure a long lecture is all I will get from my parents too!
@anil78650 (177)
• India
7 Jul 10
Ya its very hard to tell your parents about marks.Just tell your parents freely and promise them that next time you will not disappoint them. This is for their happiness.I am sure that they will forgive you because they are your parents........
@malihat (216)
7 Jul 10
Yeah, I'm sure eventually they will come around and forgive me and forget all about it :)
• India
4 Jul 10
Well i just got a backlog in EC and i have not yet told that to my parents. I just told them i passed in all and got 81% as if i had passed in that i would have got that much. I am really scared as i have failed for the first time in my life and i felt very bad on that day. I still didn't even tell it now but i have been hurting a lot also. So i feel it's better if you don't tell. Again it's up to you.
@malihat (216)
10 Jul 10
I need to tell them something, as they will eventually ask me how I did this year. I don't want to lie to them because I don't like lying to them and also, if they find the truth out later somehow they will be very hurt.
@mturacom (632)
• India
3 Jul 10
Oh, my results are coming this week or next week and I also don't expect them to be good as my papers was not so good. I am also afraid of telling it to my parents. Though I was in top list of students who took admission in my college and only a little portion of fee is applicable and to be paid by us but now I am not able to concentrate on my studies.
@malihat (216)
6 Jul 10
I am in the exact same situation. I was a very good student before I started university, but now I am very distracted. Anyhow, good luck!
• India
3 Jul 10
Just explain yourself to them in the words they would like to hear. Tell them that you are sorry for the poor results and wouldn't let this happen again.Confess that you hadn't worked hard and assure them that you will, this point on. Let them know that you have learned from your mistake. Things should be just fine. Make sure you have this in mind and always work towards your improvement. When you get out of the track keep reminding yourself of the tasks you need to accomplish. All The Best. :-)
@malihat (216)
7 Jul 10
Thank you for your reply! I think I should set some short-term and long-term goals for myself. Maybe that will help keep me on track.
• India
3 Jul 10
hey malihat...this problem really frustrates a student...well see its really appreciable to see you know your fault..and you also know how to correct it...but again dear you see parents are the only people who are said to be the closest...understanding...supportive...i feel when you tell them your results...if your guilt is true your parents are going to feel it and not tell you anything instead they will give you a suppot ...so i would suggest you...one fine morning...in a fresh mood...talk to your mom first...tell about your guilt and then go to your dad...promise them that you will work hardest next time...just stay calm and be honest...thnings will work out :) all the best :)
• India
30 Sep 10
Nice
@abj163 (1037)
• India
3 Jul 10
same problem happened with me before one year ......each and every line co insides with my past except second year....i was doing first year engineerig at that time.....i just went to home locked mine inside my room.....its my habit so my parents didn't objected that....i came out after 3 hours and as my dad was not at home i went to mom and told everything....that i got very less score in 2nd semister of first year....she scolded on me for some time then later everything went right......now everything is all right and i am studying well.......so go and tell your parents directly without fear....i am sure they will understand you good luck
@malihat (216)
5 Jul 10
It will probably be easier to talk to my mother since my father will be more disappointed as he expects too much from me.
• Philippines
3 Jul 10
Every student has its own ups and downs in the field of academics. No need to worry about. Just tell your parents about it. To be honest is all we should do when we are in that situation. I am also in that situation before. First, I am very scared of telling what I have done academically in my parents as well as to my relatives. BUt when I told them about my grades, they were shocked and angry at me. I apologized to them. They accepted my apologies actually but it took a long time to heal. However, in every problem that we had before, we must face it, solve it and eventually strive more to be a better person and to become a good student.
@malihat (216)
6 Jul 10
I know what you mean. I am sure my father will be quite shocked and angry too!
• Philippines
8 Jul 10
Nothing compares to being honest. Just tell your parents. Explain why it happened. Admit your mistakes if there are any, and promise them that you will try to do better next time. They will understand you when you appear sincere.
• China
4 Jul 10
I suggest that you should tell them your results . And you should promise that you will do your best in the next term . Telling them the truth , I think they will forgive you . And they know that you are honest , which is more important for you . That is all my opinion .
@Bellapop (1279)
9 Jul 10
Well, this is just your second year, so it would normally only account for a thord of the degree mark. You can explain to your parents what happened, if you had difficulties, problems,etc. you can even offer to pay up some money if you want. But the thing to concentrate on now, is the third and last year ( I assume) which will account for two thirds of the mark - if you buckle up and start working super hard now and get really good grades in your final year it is possible to come out with a 2.1 or possibly a 1.1 if you do really well...so don't worry, start recising some of your modules that you have already done now, so that you have yourself a good foundation and be ready for the third year, good luck! :)
@leo2050 (348)
• India
3 Jul 10
hello malihat, its the same problem for many students, you know we think that our parent wont understand us. But its wrong. Our parents understand very well. They are the only one who forgive us on our every mistake. You can tell your parents freely. You know parents can be ours very good friend. Only we have to understand this. And you can study hard in next year and make your parents feel proud. just be sure that you have to study well in next year at any cost. Iam sure that your parents would understand you very well. just relax.
@malihat (216)
6 Jul 10
I know my parents will forgive me, but they will also be very disappointed. I do plan to study very hard next year as it is my final year and I would like a good job when I graduate.
• Italy
3 Jul 10
I had the same problem during my 1st year of University (I was studying foreign languages). All that I can tell you, is to face them sincerely. No lies, because lies have short legs (I don't know if this is a proverb also in English, in my language it is) and they'll eventually find out the truth sooner or later. They're going to be upset but they'll calm down in the end. You can only tell them to trust you and promise them you're going to work harder next year, because now you know how to face problems and difficulties and won't let them be an obstacle in your studies. Just a question, what are you studying? Because hard subjects may be harder to afford, and I'm sure they'll understand you, even if they're contributing with money.
@malihat (216)
7 Jul 10
I just finished my second year of BSc Economics.
@Imaman67 (53)
• Australia
4 Jul 10
Just tell them about it. It's your falut so they shouldn't be angry. The only one who has made the mistake is you
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
3 Jul 10
Hi Malihat, Just tell them the truth and admit that you didn't try as hard as you should have but that you'll try hard next time. I am willing to bet that they won't be nearly as upset as you are imagining they will.
• Philippines
3 Jul 10
just tell them the truth. apologize. make up for it. if explained well, i'm sure they will understand. they might get mad at first, but just be humble and admit your mistake.
@xcel0684 (76)
• Philippines
3 Jul 10
Tell them honestly...if you gave your best shot then there's nothing to worry about. Am sure no matter how you hide that to your parents, they will continue to look for it - you are just prolonging your agony. If I were you, I would prepare a dinner for them and tell them my real scores.
@zel2zel (134)
• Philippines
4 Jul 10
You should tell them, face them. If you are really truly sorry for what you have done, you should kneel down and beg for forgiveness. And promise them that you will get good grades next time!!!
• United Arab Emirates
4 Jul 10
if you are taking the responsibility then you need to tell them. If you do not tell them and tehy come to know from someone else then they will feel more hurt. So you need to tell them. You could just tell them that you want to take up some course but your marks are not good enough as you will concentrate more on your studies in future.