Failure is not something people tend to want to talk about. And for some reason, failing an exam is even worse. But if you are like most students, you have spent a significant amount of time studying and learning the ins and outs of your subject, so failure is a tricky concept to get your head around. What if you fail an exam? What happens to you next?
It is a scary moment when you realize you failed your exams. The worst-case scenario is that you find out a week before you are supposed to graduate. Yes, this is possible. (Yes, this happened to me!) Sometimes, exams do not come until later in a term or do not happen at all. Failing an exam can be scary, especially in your first year in college. It is important to understand that colleges are there to help you succeed and that the only way you will learn is if you push yourself. It is only natural to feel discouraged after messing up a test or an assignment, but do not let that hold you back. You will not pass if you do not study, so study hard and do your best.
Here’s What Happens Next If You Fail Your Exams:
Make A Plan
Students who do well in school are praised and encouraged, but students who do not achieve their parents’ high expectations continue to flounder. Parents often get so frustrated with their children’s performance that they start cutting corners at school to raise their children’s grades. Their children perform poorly when exam time rolls around, and the parents feel disappointed. This backfires, however, because children tend to give up and choose not to study. The parent’s attempt only makes the situation worse.
Attend Office Hours
Failing an exam can be disappointing, but there is more to being a college student than passing tests. Try contacting the instructor or department head to discuss why the exam was not completed correctly. You may have a learning disability that requires accommodations. Go through your notes, identify what areas you still need to review, and repeat the process. You can retake the exam as many times as needed.
Prepare For the Next Exam
If you fail an exam, you must take the time to re-evaluate what went wrong and what action you should take. When failing an exam, it is important to act right away. The last thing you want to do is risk missing out on the grade for the second time. So, to avoid this and to ensure that you pass with flying colors, preparing for the next exam is the best thing for you to do. For example, if you are looking to get into medical school, then take a look at a GAMSAT preparation course, or other relevant resources, to help you get a rough idea about what to expect during the examination. If they have practice tests or materials, be sure to look over these too. This way, it will help you to prepare as much as you can for the next test.
Also, the faster you can take the next test, the better. The last thing you want to do is wait. Waiting too long can result in a poor grade and bigger problems later. So, preparation is key when it comes to getting the marks you need to succeed.
Keep Calm
Do not panic if you are embarrassed about flunking one or more of your exams. It happens to the best of students. The good news is that around the world, thousands of people just like you who failed one or more exams subsequently went on to pass. Not to mention, people who are successful entrepreneurs, industrialists, or players today have faced failures at some point in time. They are known to address the stress issues by connecting with supporting people, practising self compassion, relaxation techniques, journaling, or seeking counselling for anxiety. These approaches usually help in managing panic attacks by increasing mindfulness and uncovering the root causes of the problem.
By becoming self-aware, you can then start to pursue certain skills which makes you optimistic throughout your journey to the goal. These skills are usually built through tremendous practice by oneself or with the help of a life coach specialist. Being a student, you might find it demanding to gain skills on your own. It would be wise if you get in touch with an expert in life coaching who can encourage you to Learn to Learn the necessary skills like discipline and self-awareness to stay calm and motivated. Once you acquire these skills, you might not feel afraid to study or prepare for your exams.
Thoroughly Review Your Exam
Your studies have been going great! You are studying, taking practice tests, and accomplishing all your goals. Now it is time to review-no big deal. Wrong. If you fail your exam, you may be devastated. However, do not despair! There are things you can do to help yourself handle the situation. Stressed about the test you have tomorrow? It happens to students all the time, and while failing an exam can be disappointing, it is worth remembering that not everyone who sits an exam passes it the first time around.
If you failed your exams and want to take them again, you have two options. The first is to retake the exams (if time permits), which is not an option for the nursing board exams since they are only offered twice a year. The second option is to petition for a one-time re-examination. You still need to submit a petition, including a copy of each exam you failed, the reason you failed each exam, and proof that you have completed the education requirements or that you are currently employed in the field of the test pertains to. The grievance board will look at your case individually, and their decision on whether to grant you a re-examination is based on what they deem to be in the public’s best interest.
