Final year of nursing and anxiety is worsening

[nootnoot]

As the title reads, I am in my final year of nursing and currently in my second last semester. I have received grades for my first assessments and received a low credit for one which was out of 50% and failed another essay which was out of 40%. I haven’t failed an assessment since first year biology which made me want to give up then as well. I failed so badly on this essay that I worry even if I get a HD for the next 20% assessment I won’t get enough to pass the subject. There is a final 40% exam and even if I study heaps I feel I still won’t pass. The same with my other subject which has a 50% exam. I am so nervous and have not been sleeping well. All I can think about is how if I fail any subject I will have to repeat and won’t be able to become a registered nurse by the end of the year which I have wanted for so long. I just feel so scared, anxious, depressed, stupid and like a failure.

[Shellgrit]

Hello nootnoot,

Sorry to hear you are feeling anxious and depressed. I know how you feel as I have been in a similar situation when I was studying many years ago.

If this is something you have wanted for so long, ask yourself if it really matters if it takes one more year to complete.

When I was at uni, I suffered heavily from depression, and it took me six years to finish. Half way through I wanted to quit, but I made up my mind that I really wanted to finish, no matter how long it took.

If you feel comfortable, it would be worth chatting to your university welfare/support group or even your lecturers to discuss some options. I’m sure you’ll find they are of great support.

When I read your post I didn’t think for a second you were a failure. Actually I felt like you were a person with real feeling and compassion, which I think are traits that you never get tested on but will take you a very long way in life.

Stick at it!

[Scallywagin]

Hey nootnoot,

Sorry to hear about your feeling. You are feeling anxious because you dont want to fail which is absolutely normal. I remember I would be absolutely miserable whenever I had exams. I tried to assess my situation and found that if I was well prepared I felt less anxious. So I started studying hard and slowly the anxiety of exam and failure ebbed away. We all know that there is no shortcut for success and hard work always pays.

Once a man, miserable for failing in exam and life, sat next a rock and was pondering about his life. He noticed that dripping from top made a dent in the rock. He thought to himself that if water could dent a rock he could crack the exam. He became a famous person of literature later. Im sure if you put in your 100% there is nothing that can stop you.

I wish you all the best in your exam and career. Im sure you can do it and let there be no doubt and you have to believe in yourself.

[CJ1998]

Hi nootnoot,

I am in a similar position and am also just about to go into my final semester of University, studying Health. I struggle with anxiety and sometimes feel the same way. I never used to feel like this at the beginning of the course, but now that I am so close to finishing it feels like something is going to get in the way of allowing me to finish, like failing a subject!

It could be helpful to take a step back and see if theres anything you can do to allow yourself more time to focus on your studies and not feel so stressed (cutting down work hours etc.). Also seeing a Psychologist if you haven't already to talk through your worries with someone.

For me it helps to know that there are always other options. If you are struggling with assignments, you can always reach out to your tutors/teachers to let them know and see if you can get any extra time or support. They are usually pretty understanding of these types of situations. Also knowing that it isn't the end of the world if you don't pass a subject. It doesn't mean you won't finish your couese- it just means it may take a little longer but you will get there in the end and there are many people who have to re-take subjects for many reasons.