Blog 8: Mid-Semester Check-In
1. What is your goal in terms of your final grade in this class? In other words, what grade do you hope to
achieve?
2. What do you think your grade is in this class right now? That is, what is your grade (best guess) based
on all the work you've done so far?
3. Now, find out your actual "grade to date" in the class. You can figure out your "grade to date" by
looking at the "final calculated grade" column in the grade book. What is it?
4. Let's look at your current grade in a bit more detail. Looking at the D2L gradebook, find your grade
percentage for each of the following categories and list them below:
Class Preps and Blogs: ________
MLM Practice Problems: _______
Written Homework: _________
Participation/In-Class Activities: _________
Test 1:________
Test 2:________
5. From your response to the previous question:
In which grade category is your lowest percentage currently?
Why do you think that grade category is the lowest?
6. For the following questions, read each statement and check the box that best describes your
behaviors and attitudes as they pertain to this course and life in general. Be honest - there are no right or
wrong answers.
*Modified from "Achieve your Potential" by Russell Self, which was adapted from
GRIT, THE POWER of PASSION and PERSEVERANCE, by Angela Duckworth.
Not at all Not much Somewhat Mostly Very much
like me like me like me like me like me
I attend every class meeting.
I complete assignments on time.
I have difficulty staying alert and
on-task during class.
I tend to rush through assignments
just to get them finished.
I am willing to learn from my
mistakes and use them as an
opportunity for growth.
I have a positive attitude and am
ready to learn new ideas and
concepts.
I use my cell phone as a tool.
I use my cell phone as a
distraction.
My group considers me helpful
when working through activities.
I am a distraction to my group
when working through activities.
I engage with my classmates while
in class and try to work through
activities as a team rather than by
myself.
I organize my course materials,
handouts, and assignments so that
I can easily find information when
I need it.
I have difficulty finding enough
time in the day to complete my
assignments and study.
I seek help from my instructor,
tutor, classmates, or other
resources when I am having
difficulty understanding a new
topic.
I'm not really sure why I'm going
to college.
I know that I can learn difficult
concepts if I work hard and do my
best.
7. Consider your answers to the previous questions as you respond to the following prompts.
What factors have contributed to your success in the course so far? Take a moment to consider
factors that have helped you succeed at the level you want to.
What factors have interfered with your goal?
8. Consider your current grade to date in our class and the work you've done in each category: class
preps and blogs, MLM practice problems, written homework, participation, and tests.
What specific steps could you take to improve your work in the class in general and/or in specific
areas of the course?
9. What advice do you wish you had received and followed on Day 1 of this class? (Another way to think
about this question: what advice would you give to a student taking this class next semester?)
10. Most students experience a mid-semester slump. This tends to happen between weeks 8 – 12 when
all the big goals you set at the beginning of the semester fly right out the window. Beginning around
week 8, you are going to want to curl up on the couch in sweatpants and sleep, or go out with your
friends and pretend a big assignment is NOT due on Monday, or spend multiple hours playing Final
Fantasy while polishing off a bag of Cheetos. This is completely normal. This is what happens to most
students, and even to your instructors!
But, we can't give up! Not yet. Don't let all of the hard work you did for the first half of this semester
go to waste! You can make it through this slump.
Think about the challenges that you will face over the next few weeks as you move through this
slump period in the semester.
What can you do to get yourself through this slump? What will you do to keep up your motivation
and your efforts to succeed?
How can I, your instructor, help you stick with your success goals?
11. Do you have any other feedback or concerns that you would like to share with Laken at this point?