Exam Stress

hearmehearye

A bit of a rant ahead, apologies in advance.

Am currently in second year of a science degree. Last year, semester two, I failed mathematics. No biggie I thought, and I then repeated the exam in Autumn. And failed again. That's where the panic started.

Since last August I've been so anxious about this exam. Thinking about it makes me physically sick. Taking the exam again in May and I'm seriously bricking it. I haven't told anyone I failed the repeat in August.

When I failed it the first time my overall grade was 37. Failed the autumn Repeat with 39. Pass is 40. I just feel like this one thing is completely ruining my focus in college.


I don't know why I'm posting this. Just really stressed out is all. Thanks.

Utah

I would have thought with a 39 you'd pass by compensation, as in, your other grades would pull you up?

I can only say to do the exam papers over and over again. The same things generally pop up! You probably know that already.

Sorry that you're stressed about this

intheclouds

How about getting some maths grinds or doing a free maths course online?

Theres lots of pretty good free stuff available, and youtube often have great little videos going through exactly how do perform certain calculations. I always use it for stuff to do with physics.

hearmehearye

No - for whatever reason the pass by compensation didn't happen. I even appealed it at the time. It just annoys me so much that I was so bloody close.

EmperorKuzco

Do you have a Maths Support Centre in college?

Honestly, I'd ask for a meeting with the lecturer and tell him about your anxiety. He can best advise you on the most important areas of the course to study, the layout of the paper, the best websites/textbooks to use, or possibly help you could source grinds (probably from a postgrad).

... if Maths is a large part of this course and you're struggling or failing at it, then might it not be a signal to yourself that it just isn't for you?

hearmehearye

Ironically I'm flying with the maths that are relevant this year.


Maybe I will contact the college and see.

superglue

EmperorKuzco wrote: »

Do you have a Maths Support Centre in college?

Honestly, I'd ask for a meeting with the lecturer and tell him about your anxiety. He can best advise you on the most important areas of the course to study, the layout of the paper, the best websites/textbooks to use, or possibly help you could source grinds (probably from a postgrad).

This.

In my experience, if you're having any worries it can be a good idea to be open with your lecturer about it. You'll probably find that he/she is working with, and has worked with many students in the same boat as you.

CapedCrusader

Hey OP... are there particular areas/topics/concepts that you're struggling with?

With maths, my experience is that there is no substitute for working through the examples, exercises and past papers. As you stubbornly bash your way through them you will find the pieces of the jigsaw coming together... you will remember things from lectures and they will start to make sense.

I'm a big believer in bullying problems like this into submission - the battle starts in your mind. Have a relentless attitude and go at it mercilessly, one topic at a time

hearmehearye

OK so good news! After basically eating, sleeping and drinking previous papers, I did way beyond just passing. The relief is palpable!

cowboyBuilder

Delighted to hear it !

This reminded me of a situation I was in back in college, I did Computer Science, but we had an accounting module - which I failed twice, then this would mean I had to repeat the year but I appealed and was allowed carry that one exam - like yourself I did so much work and past papers that I did a lot more then pass!!

Congrats again!

hearmehearye

cowboyBuilder wrote:

This reminded me of a situation I was in back in college, I did Computer Science, but we had an accounting module - which I failed twice, then this would mean I had to repeat the year but I appealed and was allowed carry that one exam - like yourself I did so much work and past papers that I did a lot more then pass!!

Yep this was basically me. I'm so so relieved and thanks for the kind words