University Pressure and Failure

[StrawberryYoghurt]

Hi all,

I have recently started my first year of university studying occupational therapy.

I started in March so I am not in my second semester. The first semester was an absolute nightmare and I failed Human anatomy 1. I was absolutely disheartened but decided I had to keep going. Now in my second semester I am failing Human Anatomy 2.

University is the worst thing I have ever done with my life and I’m only 23. I feel like an absolute failure, I am so depressed all the time from university. I barely scraped through the first semester with the other subjects and I am baring scrapping through now.

I don’t think I can handle another failed unit at uni. I want to give up so badly but my parents are so proud that I am actually doing something with my life that they think I like. They know I’m struggling but they think I am smart and I will get through it but they don’t understand how bad this experience has made me feel.

I still don’t know what to do with my life and it stresses me out to think about it.

I have recently been diagnosed with ADD And just started medication. However, I don’t want to feel like I can justify failing because of this. univeristy is not what everyone said it would be. All the students are young and straight out of high school and so immature. They will talk to you one day and not the next.

I just don’t know what to do, I feel like I need some guidance. I am so heart broken over the whole University experience.

[Busguy1631]

Hi StrawberryYoghurt,

Thank you firstly for being brave and sharing your experiences on the forum.

Your experience of Uni is similiar in my first year. I failed a class and was devastated and did not want my parents to know as I was a high achiever at High School.

Feeling lonely during that time is very normal and happens to so many new university students so please don't feel alone. There is many sources of help at University. I would definately recommend either speaking with someone like a course advisor (may have a different job title depending on where you go uni). They can give you tips to help cope with uni pressure, study advice and guidance on how to improve performance to stay on track with your course plan. Also there may be councelors/support people who you can have a confidential chat with and they will be more than happy to help or point you in the right direction.

I know this is very generalised advice but trust me once I got help with uni and managing my anxiety I felt much better and ended up graduating after 6 years with a respectable GPA and very proud parents.

[itselsie]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with ADHD at the start of this year at 24. I'm currently at uni doing my masters in biomedical science.

Don't be discouraged by the people in your course, there will be plenty of other mature age students and plenty of younger students who are mature and you will find friends in time. Science usually has lots of labs and those are a great opportunity to meet people- look for the ones who are concentrating and working hard in labs.

To survive uni academically try these tips:

- go see student equity/ support for a disability support officer they will help with managing ADHD and may also be able to have your failed units removed

- consider dropping down to part time for a few semesters

- science allows for a lot of tactile learning opportunities. Try to use strategies other than reading and listening to lectures to learn.

- go to the library and sit in a semi quiet area. I find this helps force me to study because I feel bad if my inattention distracts others.

- keep a spare piece of paper near you to scribble on when you get distracted.

- if you need a break get up and take one.

- if you are prone to getting distracted on your phone dont charge it over night so it is dead in the day.

- if you are prone to distraction by social media download a blocking website and block the sites.

- join a study group

- talk to your lecturers for questions and tips about how to study and what other resources are available

- keep track of your meds and see what does or doesnt work and communicate with your doctor.

Hope this helps! Reach out if you have any questions or need some more tips!

All the best!

Elsie 🙂