yr11 and failing

Hi, as a current A level student, I can tell you that I have felt exactly the same before when I was doing my GCSEs.

Throughout my family, not many of us have reached further education with the exception of my uncle who did extremely well (went to university to do biochemistry). So it was a lot of pressure on me and my cousin who is of similar age.

I understand how horrible that feeling is when you want to do well but you're just so afraid of failing. I remember when I sat in my first ever GCSE exam and it was for my three sciences. I particularly remember just sitting there, staring at the board after being told to put down our pens and thoughts were just running through my mind. I kept asking myself questions like,

"What if I fail all my GCSEs?"
"What am I going to tell my mum?"
"What am I going to do with my life?"

And the truth is, that everyone deals with stress differently. I'm one of those people who gets so stressed that I found it hard to eat and sleep because I was constantly worrying.

Remember that you are not alone in the way you feel, there are so many people out there who feel the same way.

My advice would be to tell someone. Anyone. Just talking about your worries with a close teacher maybe who you get along with. Or even talk to one of your parents. Tell them about your worries.

And also remember there are still options out there. For example, if you do fail (which I have faith that you won't) but if you do fail one or two subjects, then try resitting them in the next year. If you pass with the majority of your grades being C or above, that's a really good start!

From there on, you can choose to pursue A levels or apply for Apprenticeships in the field you want. Applying for a degree at university isn't the only pathway to the career you want, you know. I know school makes it out that you HAVE to go to university to get a decent job, but it isn't always the case. Other people have different learning styles and some may choose to do BTECs or choose other routes.

There's always going to be situations which you will come across in life that you will be anxious or worried about. For example, I was so close to quitting my A levels a month before my exams started because I was TERRIFIED of failing. I was actually going to apply for an apprenticeship but I told myself that I owe it to my family to just try the exams.

I came out with a mixture of grades, some were good, some were okay and one was really bad. But I was so relieved that I just went with it anyway just to see what would have happened if I did continue.

My advice to passing your GCSEs would be to do every piece of homework that is set by your teachers. Homework is so important because you're reviewing things over and over again and your brain will remember it better. Make revision notes/diagrams depending on the subject and depending on your learning style. It's only November at the moment, so you have time to plan things out.

If you find that pictures and summarised notes help you, then go for it! Don't be afraid to ask for help, your teachers won't think you're stupid. They're job is to help you. They're not going to expect all students to learn in the same way, so just ask if you're unsure about something.

And lastly, have faith. Believe that you can do it. I know it's hard sometimes, and I know that it feels like you have the weight of your whole future on your shoulders, but think of it this way:

Just give it a shot.

Just give it a shot and see where it lands you. If it goes really well, then that's amazing! If not, retrace a few steps and see what you did wrong and try again. There's always going to be chances. There's never going to be a time where you fail and then that's it.

And as for disappointing your family, I would just say that it's more important that you continue trying and to not give up.

Dude, you are meant for great things! And even though I do not know you at all, I still believe that you are. Heck, I believe that everyone is meant for great things! Don't ask me why, I just feel that way because I honestly do believe it

So for now, just plan out where you want things and then take everyday a step at a time. Enjoy things while you can like hanging out with friends, talking about silly things, eating lots of sugar and stuff.

Work a little, socialise a little and you'll see the improvement in the way you feel, okay?

Most of all, I just wanted to tell you that everything's going to be okay. I wish that someone told me that when I was younger, even if they didn't know that everything would be. But I just wanted you to know that things work out in the long run.

From, Jenny (PS Sorry this is such a long post, I just really wanted to make you feel better! I can't stand it when I know someone's scared or feeling alone when they shouldn't)

I don't know what it is but I really feel like I'm going to fail my GCSEs and get u's, I was hoping I would get to college and then get a degree in university but at the moment I really find it hard to memorise information and revise because I end up forgetting and I just don't want to disappoint my Dad because I'm the last child and my brothers had messed up so I'm the one who's meant ytoo try and get somewhere and make my family proud but I just think I'm going to let them down, I've disappointed them quite a few times so I wish I could change things and get good grades for my GCSEs. Would anyone help me to try and change things and focus because I get distracted so easily and I doubt I'll even get to do a levels if I don't get Atleast a B.

I really I'm struggling and stressing out because when I try to revise I don't remember anything and I really don't want to fail since I have the chance to do the best that I can accomplish but I need help like really bad because I don't want something happening to my Dad just because I didnt listen to him and do well as I should've so can anyone help me?

Can seriously empathise with you as my brothers have gone down vocational/unacademic routes and I was the last 'Hope' for my mum. You need to just switch on, cut out everything around you that's not important and focus on your future. Even if you do average in your GCSEs I.e C's, if you work really hard you can get the grades at A-Level. Also, please do something because you want to do it and not just because your parents want you to do it. The technique of revision takes time and practice and you need a timetable or a set time for revision. Then you'll get used to working; even if you were to go down a work path straight away post 16/18 you still have to work just as hard except it isn't assessed in the way colleges and universities do it.

I don't know what it is but I really feel like I'm going to fail my GCSEs and get u's, I was hoping I would get to college and then get a degree in university but at the moment I really find it hard to memorise information and revise because I end up forgetting and I just don't want to disappoint my Dad because I'm the last child and my brothers had messed up so I'm the one who's meant ytoo try and get somewhere and make my family proud but I just think I'm going to let them down, I've disappointed them quite a few times so I wish I could change things and get good grades for my GCSEs. Would anyone help me to try and change things and focus because I get distracted so easily and I doubt I'll even get to do a levels if I don't get Atleast a B.

I really I'm struggling and stressing out because when I try to revise I don't remember anything and I really don't want to fail since I have the chance to do the best that I can accomplish but I need help like really bad because I don't want something happening to my Dad just because I didnt listen to him and do well as I should've so can anyone help me?

I have really bad sleeping problems and although the GP have said nothing, It is such a problem because it's so hard to stay awake cause I end up dozing off and I can't stay awake and focus and I'm so scared to fail that it's upsetting yet I don't do anything which is plain lazy.