Received low grade at uni.

[Developing_Daisy]

Hello Everyone,

I am just needing to touch base and get assistance from others in putting my thoughts in perspective.

My history involves sexual abuse from step father for most of my childhood. Unable to complete high school and constant bullying.

Today I am happily married with three kids and I’m trying to complete uni.

My goal is to become a teacher so I can provide extra income and take the family on holidays (single income family atm and life is hard)

I am reaching out because I feel like I am drowning in emotions right now.

I am stressed about finding time to complete 4 units this semester while trying not to panic about our financial situation.

It has become all to hard today when I received a low grade for my last assignment. Panic is now setting in that because I can’t achieve high grades I won’t be employed after I finished my studies.

I fear that I will find it hard finding a job because I will be judge by my abilities. It feels easier today just to quit.

I also feel like the enjoyment of learning has been sucked out by my constant need for perfection that it’s taking its toll. I find my self over analysing the question breaking it down and stewing on and when I get 65% I feel absolutely devastated.

how do you go through uni without worrying and letting it taking over your life?

I guess if there’s a crystal ball that will tell me that my future job outlook is not determined by my grades I would be slightly relieved but instead I constantly hear that many teachers that finish uni are unable to get a job. This makes me feel like that I’m in a flock of birds fighting for survival. I am doing this so I can provide opportunity for my family. The last thing that I want is to find my self jobless after 4yrs of blood sweat and tears!!

Well typing this has made feel a little better. But my inner self still feels Iike I can’t succeed unless I achieve high grade still bothers me.

Look forward for any feedback or suggestions. I wish I had a mentor but I don’t. I feel alone in this journey atm.

From a newbie, developing daisy x

[Somatica]

Hi Developing Daisy,

Well I can tell you straight up that you're not alone! I am with you there on the stress bringing out all the emotions. Sometimes I feel like it's some trick our subconscious plays on us to try to sabotage our future, like when the stress turns up all the things you try to block out, the memories and emotions just come flooding back and seem to be literally blocking the path to progress.

I am back at uni too, in my thirties, trying to start my life again for the third time. My stress is creating resurgence of memories from a physically violent relationship. I'm writing this from bed at 3:30pm where I was earlier trying to study, still in bed. As today was one of those days you know, it's like an icy hand has a grip on your heart and it's pulling you down with the weight of the world.

Firstly I want to say something to you that I use as a mantra every day, "You're grades are not a true representation of your worth or ability", what they are may be reflection of where you're at right now, I find that always happens to me when I'm in a spiral, it does reflect in the grades. But it's not a reflection of your WORTH. You know you can do it, you decided to become a teacher because you want to help shape minds, you have something to share with the world. The gift of teaching is such an under-appreciated profession and you are on your way there. Wonderful.

I try to spend time getting back in line with my initial intention with why I started studying in the first place. For instance I am studying Myotherapy, because I want to be able to help and educate people about how to manage pain in their bodies.

I don't know why, but people will always spout info about how this or that person had trouble getting a job. I think we should say WHO CARES to that! Why are they telling us that information?! It's not useful, it's hearsay and it feeds our fears and worse case scenarios. People have trouble getting jobs in every profession. I'm going to make an effort to let that go and I hope you will to! My job is in a field that only was created 40 years ago in Sydney Australia! So I am no stranger to the chronic negativity of the fear mongers, they think they mean well, but actually they are spreading the word of fear. Fear will always bring us down.

I hope my ramblings help in some way.

Somatica

[IreneM]

Hi Daisy and Somatica

I am looking to go back to uni and return to the workforce too. I am in agreement with you that the stress can make life difficult.

Few things that I have done to help reduce the stress:

Instead of thinking that "your grades are who you are" you need to change that to a more helpful and rational thought like - "if I pass this I will be alright, and if I fail I can always try again." Good Universities will have Student support services to assist learning. Extra Examination time can also help, but the most important thing is sleep as it is what helps to store the important information in for you.

Another thing that I have done when Uni was too difficult for me was change to a Self-paced college. This took the pressure off and I am still progressing quite well. If you are struggling, communicate with your college for other options.

Try and keep your study to Part Time. It is too difficult when stressed and anxious to concentrate therefore your health has to come first. I am doing an online mental therapy course to help my mental symptoms alongside my main course.

As a mental health therapy student I believe that your grades should say what you have KNOWLEDGE of, NOT what you are capable of doing or who you are. I am middle-aged and have had to quit studies for several reasons over the years, but I am now pulling through it and am becoming involved in the Kidney and Mental Health fields as a Volunteer.

To help you mentally I encourage you to call the hotline below to point you in the direction for the type of help that suits you best, face-to-face, online or otherwise.

Take Care and you can do it even if it is slow but sure (like the turtle) and not all at once.

Irene.

[TimTams]

Hi,

Can I ask is income the only reason for you wanting to do teaching?

That should not be your driving factor for such a career. If you are not coping with financial situations now, I would recommend a different career! Teachers are not paid that much money. But if you feel passionate about it, keep going. If you are truly interested in it, it is a lot easier. It worries me that income is the first aspect you associate with wanting to become a teacher? Kind regards