Hi everyone,I haven’t posted like this in a LONG while but I wanted to
pop in here share something a bit personal in case it helps any fellow
students who’s in the thick of exam season or nervously waiting on
results right now.I’m a university studen...
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Hi everyone,I haven’t posted like this in a LONG while but I wanted to
pop in here share something a bit personal in case it helps any fellow
students who’s in the thick of exam season or nervously waiting on
results right now.I’m a university student, and I’ve had a really rough
run academically. I’ve failed two subjects — and one of them, I failed
twice. Sitting with that kind of result is genuinely hard. There’s the
shame, the “what does this mean for my future,” the replaying of
everything you think you did wrong. For a while I really questioned
whether I was cut out for uni at all.But I’m still here. Still studying.
And slowly, I’ve learned some things about getting through these moments
without letting them swallow me whole.What helped me (and might help you
too): Remind yourself that your worth is not your GPA. 🫶I know that
sounds like a poster on a school wall, but I mean it. A fail grade is
information — it tells you something didn’t click, or the timing was
wrong, or life got in the way. It is not a verdict on your intelligence
or your future. I had to really sit with this before I believed it. Feel
it, then don’t live there.When I got my fail results, I gave myself time
to be upset — because honestly, that’s fair. But I tried not to spiral
into weeks of “I’m a failure” self-talk. Feeling disappointed is
healthy. Marinating in it indefinitely isn’t.Talk to someone at your
university.Most universities have free and confidential support that not
enough students use:∙ Student counselling — trained counsellors who
understand academic stress and the unique pressures of uni life∙
Academic advisors — they can map out a path forward and often have more
options than you’d expect (supplementary exams, withdrawals, special
consideration, etc.)∙ Disability/accessibility services — if anxiety or
mental health is impacting your studies, you may be eligible for
adjustments like extra exam timeYou don’t have to be in crisis to reach
out. Feeling overwhelmed is enough of a reason.During exam season:∙
Avoid all-nighters if you can — sleep does more for your memory than one
extra hour of study∙ Eat something, even if you’re not hungry — takeout
counts too sometimes∙ Move your body — even a short walk helps (I’ve
found the gym a couple times a week really cathartic)∙ Limit “how do you
think you went?” conversations after exams if they spiral you —
protecting your headspace is valid while waiting for results. This is
honestly the hardest part. The uncertainty is its own kind of stress.
What helped me was redirecting energy into things I could control — a
hobby, time with people I love, rest. The result will be what it is, and
worrying doesn’t change it (even though it feels like it should).If
you’re really struggling, please don’t sit alone with it. Beyond Blue is
always here — 1300 22 4636, chat at beyondblue.org.au, or even just
reading posts in this community. Lifeline (13 11 14) and your
university’s counselling service are also great first contacts.Failing
subjects was one of the harder things I’ve gone through. But it didn’t
end my academic story — and whatever you’re going through right now, it
doesn’t have to end yours either.Sending everyone in exam season a whole
lot of solidarity Feel free to share what’s helped you get through exam
stress or disappointing results — this thread is a safe space.
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