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 time
You 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.
