If you’ve been admitted to graduate school, chances are you’re a strong critical thinker. Once you realize that you’ve fallen behind, whether in one class or in the broader program, analyze what has kept you from fulfilling your responsibilities as a student. Perhaps your personal life is particularly demanding and difficult to balance with school. Or you may be spending a disproportionate amount of time on professionalization activities such as presenting at conferences, preparing articles and attending talks, all of which are crucial but don’t directly contribute to degree progress. Whatever the cause is, naming it will help you devise a solution.
Once you’ve identified the underlying reason you’ve fallen behind, think about the range of solutions available to you. If time management is the main issue, ask successful students how they budget their time, then create a schedule and stick to it. If your work is suffering because you have a dependent who needs you frequently, explore care options that allow you to have the dedicated work time you need to make degree progress. If you’re seeking out alternative activities to studying or writing because you aren’t engaged by your program, ask yourself whether it’s really for you -- and if it is, consider how to gear your coursework or research toward the areas of your discipline that excite you.
If you realize that you’re falling behind in a course, visit the professor during office hours with specific questions to help you better understand the material. If you absolutely won’t be able to complete the requirements before the term ends, though, ask the professor about taking an Incomplete grade. During this conversation, make sure to describe why you’ve fallen behind and exactly what your plan and schedule is for completing the coursework during the following term. If you’ve fallen more than a term behind in the degree program, you’ll need to speak with your academic adviser to determine your best strategies for completing your degree. Clearly take responsibility for the problem, come armed with possible solutions and keep in mind that faculty members in your program want you to succeed.
If the issue causing you to fall behind is irremediable in the short term -- for example, you’re grieving the death of a loved one or you’re uncertain whether you want to continue in the program at all -- consider taking a leave of absence. Most graduate programs will hold your place for a term or a year, during which time you should keep in touch with program faculty about your intention to return. However, a leave of absence is usually only allowed for a student in good academic standing, so you’ll have to complete any outstanding coursework before your leave is approved.