This is a common problem, so take comfort in the fact that you are not alone and others have come through this before you. Knowing this doesn’t make the problem disappear but it reminds you that this issue is surmountable.

First things first – be honest. While you are dependent on your parents for financial and other support, the fact is that their opinion counts and you need to tell them the truth. Your results are a matter of record and any lying will eventually be exposed and land you in even hotter water.

Think about how to soften the blow. Don’t drop it on them while they’re stressed. Maybe approach them on the weekend while you’re relaxing at home.

Be direct and respectful. Open with something like “Mom and Dad, can we have a quick chat about my exam results? I wasn’t as happy with my marks as I would have liked to be…”

Try to explain why you think you did badly, and how you plan on fixing it. If they were your first set of university exams, maybe you struggled because you didn’t know what to expect or you aren’t comfortable with the format yet.

Prepare what you are going to say in advance, otherwise you will stumble over your words and this can lead to saying things based on impulse, rather than a plan. Right now you’re trying to show your parents that you are becoming an adult and can be trusted – bursting into tears and talking in circles is not going to help your case.

Set up a meeting with your lecturer to discuss your paper. Sometimes institutions make you pay for formal exam reviews, but think of it as an investment in your future, or set up a more casual meeting for general exam advice. Try to set these up before you speak to your folks, so you can tell them that you’ve already made moves to rectify the situation.

Lucky for you, you still have several months, many assignments and one more set of exams before your year’s final mark is decided. It’s time to take these seriously. Write down the dates of ALL your assignments so you don’t miss any, and start your exam preparation early. Missing out on a few social nights for the sake of your results is part of student life, and will be worth it in the long run.

Read our feature in next week’s issue (July 31) for tips on matching your study style to your personality.