The best way to get over a poor result?

Phoenix Wright

Hi all,

Recently I got a poor result in one of my modules, which was far below my expectations. I pinpointed the module as one of the easier ones this semester, and it's looking like my overall result for the module is going to be far lower than I envisaged. I genuinely felt that I had performed better in the assignment, and I have been feeling down for the past five days.

This was my worst result in my four years at undergraduate level, and I am fearful now that the module could prove decisive in getting a 1.1 or 2.1, I attended student counselling last week, and while it helped somewhat, I am still feeling discouraged by my result. It has gotten to the point now where my thoughts about the result are beginning to impede my preparation for my final exams.

What can I do to put this result behind me?

NeonCookies

Hi Phoenix

Sorry to hear you're feeling down.

Is there any way you could chat to the lecturer who marked your assignment about your grade? I don't mean regarding getting it changed, but to understand where the mark came from. If they are reluctant to meet, try to explain your situation and how its impacting you.This might help because it could just be a few small things that brought you down and therefore you can focus on improving these in the future rather than catastrophising the whole assignment as terrible and knocking your confidence completely. It might help you to move forward rather than mulling over it.

It's difficult but try look at the result in context. If you were on track for a 1.1 which I'm picking up from your post then you really are doing fantastically well. I'm currently completing one of the professional training doctorates - which I got on to with a very good 2.1 degree, no masters or other higher qualifications. So a good 2.1 (which again I'm assuming from your post is very much still on the cards) will not hold you back. One module result does not define you, so take control and don't let it effect your exams - maybe let yourself think about it freely for e.g. 20 minutes a day /5 minute blocks then make a conscious effort to focus on something else. If you're finding it hard to stop thinking about it incorporate physical movement e.g. I will sit on this chair and think about it, when the time is up I'll move to another place to start working etc. It probably sounds silly but I find it works for me when I'm stressed with this course!

I'm guessing you're in your final year? Stress levels will be high, and even small bumps can throw you off. I had a very overbearing father who told me he wouldn't come to my graduation if I didn't get a 1.1. Well I didn't, he still came and the world kept spinning. Have a think about where the high expectations are coming from i.e. internal or external factors.

Good luck, you're nearly there!

Phoenix Wright

NeonCookies wrote: »

Hi Phoenix

Sorry to hear you're feeling down.

Is there any way you could chat to the lecturer who marked your assignment about your grade? I don't mean regarding getting it changed, but to understand where the mark came from. If they are reluctant to meet, try to explain your situation and how its impacting you.This might help because it could just be a few small things that brought you down and therefore you can focus on improving these in the future rather than catastrophising the whole assignment as terrible and knocking your confidence completely. It might help you to move forward rather than mulling over it.

It's difficult but try look at the result in context. If you were on track for a 1.1 which I'm picking up from your post then you really are doing fantastically well. I'm currently completing one of the professional training doctorates - which I got on to with a very good 2.1 degree, no masters or other higher qualifications. So a good 2.1 (which again I'm assuming from your post is very much still on the cards) will not hold you back. One module result does not define you, so take control and don't let it effect your exams - maybe let yourself think about it freely for e.g. 20 minutes a day /5 minute blocks then make a conscious effort to focus on something else. If you're finding it hard to stop thinking about it incorporate physical movement e.g. I will sit on this chair and think about it, when the time is up I'll move to another place to start working etc. It probably sounds silly but I find it works for me when I'm stressed with this course!

I'm guessing you're in your final year? Stress levels will be high, and even small bumps can throw you off. I had a very overbearing father who told me he wouldn't come to my graduation if I didn't get a 1.1. Well I didn't, he still came and the world kept spinning. Have a think about where the high expectations are coming from i.e. internal or external factors.

Good luck, you're nearly there!

Hi Neoncookies,

Thanks for the response, I appreciate it! I've attempted to arrange a meeting with the lecturer, but have had no luck so far. It could help going forward in the exam, and to have the clarity of knowing where I went wrong in advance of the exam would be very beneficial. Hopefully I will hear something back in the next day or two, otherwise I may have to try and contact them again.

I should still be in line to get a 1.1 or a good 2.1 with any luck! I have a nasty habit of thinking worst case scenario when it comes to these things, and then I usually do better than I expect at the end. I'm going to try and put this aside as best as I can for the next two weeks, so I think I will try your suggestion of thinking about it in a specific place for a few minutes. I think what's hurting me that little bit more, is that the subject is an area of interest that I was hoping to pursue at postgraduate level. Hopefully this will not come back to haunt me, though I always build these things up to be far worse than they are.

This result really caught me off guard at a crucial stage of the semester. As you say, stress levels in final year are high and now there is even greater pressure on me to perform in the exam. Hopefully I will still be able to do well, I'm just struggling to get out of this negative mindset. It's almost as though a switch triggered when I got the poor result, and since then I haven't been able to be as positive as usual. In relation to where the pressure is coming from, in my case it's all self-imposed. I set really high, unrealistic standards for myself, though I struggle to temper my expectations