You have to put in effort to succeed in the classroom.  You also have to put in effort to fail.  Most understand the connection between effort and success.  Many overlook, though, that failure also requires effort.  When you miss assignments, do poorly on examinations because of lackluster effort, you may think you are getting a free ride. 

The initial effort leading to failure may be low, only to appear on the other side of the failure.  Teachers may arrange extra work or make-up examinations, or you may need to retake an entire class. Both success and failure in the classroom require effort.  Don’t fool yourself that failing is less work.

If both require energy and effort, why would you choose failure over success?