Dear Keke and Kat: I’m Going to Fail My College Classes

College isn't easy. You have to study and work really hard to get the grades you want! If you've been in college for any amount of time, you know that. One local college student needs our help with how they should break the news to his/her parents:

Dear Keke and Kat-

 

I'm in my second year of college, and this year has not been at all like the last year. Last year, I got great grades. Mostly B's and even a couple A's. This year is a different story. It's not that I gave up or haven't been working as hard, but life has just been way different. I went through some major life stresses that took me away from class and studying, both mentally and physically.

 

I went through a really hard breakup. The worst and first I've had to go through. That's not my only reason. I also dealt with my parents going through a divorce. It was out of nowhere and really shocking to me. I've been trying to mediate between the two of them and it's been really stressful. That's why I'm writing. I don't know how to tell them that I'm going to fail my classes. They'll be shocked and disappointed and may even refuse to pay for another year.

 

How do I explain this to them without them freaking out?

If they know what you've been dealing with between your own breakup and their divorce, I'm sure that will soften the blow. You could even make a plan about what you plan to and promise to do to change the next year around. Counseling could really help. Life gets hard at times in life, but you can't let struggles derail you forever.

How would you break the news to your parents?