Exam result anxiety

LegacyUser

Firstly, I'm a postgraduate student. I was doing an undergraduate module this semester to give me a grounding in a particularly area that I have now moved into. I don't have too much experience in the area.

Anyway, I just got my exam result. An E. Apparently if I was an undergrad I could pass by compensation but as I'm a postgrad I have to repeat the entire module. So at some point over the next week or two I have to go to my supervisors and tell them that I, as a postgrad, failed an undergrad module in the area that I'm doing my research.

I feel completely humiliated. The last semester has been hectic for me, with a heap of other coursework, the death of a close family member. My supervisors know I have problems with sleep and anxiety anyway and was seeing a counsellor.

I just don't know how I can face them with this. If it was any other module (and I've passed 6 others with flying colours) then I probably could, but its a module on exactly what I'm researching.

I'm just really embarrassed and I don't want everyone to think I'm an idiot. Even though the rest of my work is going great now I feel like this will make everyone doubt me.

I cocked up on the exam and answered the wrong amount of questions. I also had studied as much as I could find the time for, which should have been enough to pass. I've never failed anything before, even in my undergrad! I'm just really upset now and afraid the anxiety problems will resurface based off this. I can repeat the module next semester but I'm just so embarrassed.

I know its easy to say "they'll understand" but I had told them already that I answered the wrong number of questions, so I may not do well, and they were really unhappy about it. I'm really stressed thinking about this. Does anyone have any advice/comforting words?

CSSE09

Honestly don't beat yourself up, it can happen to anyone. I've seen experts with years of experience mess up answering undergrad module questions so really no big deal. Also some supervisors are impossible to please, do what you have to do to make yourself happy not them.

rubykisses

Hi OP,

It sounds like the past few months have been really tough for you, but try to remember - if you have been taken on for a postgrad in research, the professors HAVE faith in you. They wouldn't have agreed to work with you if they did not think that you were intelligent and had huge potential, and okay, you performed poorly in one exam that happened to corroborate with your research and that is a shame, but you said yourself you had HUGE stresses on you this semester and you clearly know your stuff or again, they wouldn't have taken you on. Everybody has *those* exams or days when things just go totally pear-shaped and it can be really difficult to overcome them, but you can! I know it's much easier said than done, but try not to dwell on it. Try to focus on the positives and the fact that the next semester won't be as tough as the last.. Perhaps telling them sooner will help too? Otherwise you're fretting about something that may not even be an issue?

Also, you may be able to apply for extenuating circumstances in light of the semester and seeing a counsellor?

December2012

Hi OP,

Dealing with a death can knock a person completely off kilter. It brings up so many feelings, even when the person isn't close to you it can affect mood, sleep, energy, concentration.

When it's a family member sometimes all you can do is breathe and try to get through it.

It also brings ancillary issues, eg comforting others and taking time out.

I'm sorry for your loss.

The best and only thing to do is to just go and talk to them. They are people too. They will understand.