How can someone be failing Potions in their first year? It's so simple it can be done with your eyes closed. Exhibiting signs of inadequacy this early on hardly bodes well for their futures. Don't exert yourself, if Slughorn has already failed, then there's no sense in you doing so too.
Barty
I was going to ask you the same question. Tutoring? That is what you're being kept at Hogwarts for?
Better to be there than here, but we would both be better off out in the real world instead of being locked down like children.