If you take the first anatomy exam next year and fail, what would you do?

• A. Re-evaluate my study habits and adjust accordingly to improve performance
• B. Switch majors to humanities
• C. Skip the exam entirely
• D. Blame someone else for the poor grade

Answer: (A)

When a student doesn’t do well on the first anatomy exam, the best move is to reassess study habits and adjust accordingly to improve performance. This approach treats the setback as information about what isn’t working and focuses on concrete steps to close knowledge gaps. Start by reviewing the exam to identify which topics or question types were most challenging, and clarify whether the issue was knowledge gaps, difficulty with applying concepts, or test-taking strategy.

Then put into practice targeted changes: use active learning like drawing and labeling anatomical diagrams, teaching the material aloud, and employing spaced repetition for terminology. Practice with exam-style questions to build familiarity with formats and time management. Create a structured study plan with specific goals, and incorporate hands-on review if cadaver or imaging work is part of the course. Seek help from instructors, teaching assistants, or study groups to clarify uncertainties and get feedback.

The other options miss the point of improving performance: switching majors is a drastic step that doesn’t address the immediate learning needs; skipping the exam avoids accountability and learning opportunities; blaming others doesn’t help you grow. Focusing on adjustment and deliberate practice moves you forward.