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Failed first year at Imperial
Long story short, got 4A*s at A-level. Failed my first year studying at Imperial and now ive lost faith in my abilities as a student.
I have the option to retake the entire year as a new student but I am terrified of failing again its been absolute hell.
I'm perfectly content with going to a less prestigious uni and getting a degree that doesnt have as high a risk of failure.
This has really been a really painful summer and I can't decide between retaking this year or just taking a gap and going to uni in 2019.
Any help is appreciated.
I have the option to retake the entire year as a new student but I am terrified of failing again its been absolute hell.
I'm perfectly content with going to a less prestigious uni and getting a degree that doesnt have as high a risk of failure.
This has really been a really painful summer and I can't decide between retaking this year or just taking a gap and going to uni in 2019.
Any help is appreciated.
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I think you have a rather warped perception of what a failure is. A failure would not achieve the results you attained at A level. A failure would not of been given a place in a good university.
You would be a failure if at the first sign of adversity, you give up. You need to pick yourself up off of the floor and go again. You are obviously an intelligent person and there are many students who achieve great results only to crumble and lose control after a bad grade. You must not be one of the quitters. You will find that if you fail, pick yourself up, then have the courage to admit to your mistakes and misgivings and try again, you will learn a massive lesson in resilience. Resilience and determination are the keys to success.
You would be a failure if at the first sign of adversity, you give up. You need to pick yourself up off of the floor and go again. You are obviously an intelligent person and there are many students who achieve great results only to crumble and lose control after a bad grade. You must not be one of the quitters. You will find that if you fail, pick yourself up, then have the courage to admit to your mistakes and misgivings and try again, you will learn a massive lesson in resilience. Resilience and determination are the keys to success.
Whatever you do, don’t take a gap year. Judging by your attitude to uni right now, after a gap year you most probably won’t even want to go back.
As for retaking or going to another university, could you have worked considerably harder? How close from passing were you? Would you ever be able to attain a 1st or a 2:1 at imperial? Consider all these things. Honestly there’s no point getting a degree if you’re going to get a third, so maybe switching might be ideal, with 4 A*’s you could pretty much go wherever you want, maybe one of the less prestigious Russel Groups?
As for retaking or going to another university, could you have worked considerably harder? How close from passing were you? Would you ever be able to attain a 1st or a 2:1 at imperial? Consider all these things. Honestly there’s no point getting a degree if you’re going to get a third, so maybe switching might be ideal, with 4 A*’s you could pretty much go wherever you want, maybe one of the less prestigious Russel Groups?
Original post by Someboady
Long story short, got 4A*s at A-level. Failed my first year studying at Imperial and now ive lost faith in my abilities as a student.
I have the option to retake the entire year as a new student but I am terrified of failing again its been absolute hell.
I'm perfectly content with going to a less prestigious uni and getting a degree that doesnt have as high a risk of failure.
This has really been a really painful summer and I can't decide between retaking this year or just taking a gap and going to uni in 2019.
Any help is appreciated.
I have the option to retake the entire year as a new student but I am terrified of failing again its been absolute hell.
I'm perfectly content with going to a less prestigious uni and getting a degree that doesnt have as high a risk of failure.
This has really been a really painful summer and I can't decide between retaking this year or just taking a gap and going to uni in 2019.
Any help is appreciated.
I'm sorry things didn't work out for you. I think you first need a really clear idea of what went wrong this past year which led up to the failure before you start to consider what you should do for the future. There would be little point in repeating the year if you don't actually know exactly what caused you to fail the first. Do you have that knowledge - or is it something you're still working through?
Original post by Mikardo88
I think you have a rather warped perception of what a failure is. A failure would not achieve the results you attained at A level. A failure would not of been given a place in a good university.
You would be a failure if at the first sign of adversity, you give up. You need to pick yourself up off of the floor and go again. You are obviously an intelligent person and there are many students who achieve great results only to crumble and lose control after a bad grade. You must not be one of the quitters. You will find that if you fail, pick yourself up, then have the courage to admit to your mistakes and misgivings and try again, you will learn a massive lesson in resilience. Resilience and determination are the keys to success.
You would be a failure if at the first sign of adversity, you give up. You need to pick yourself up off of the floor and go again. You are obviously an intelligent person and there are many students who achieve great results only to crumble and lose control after a bad grade. You must not be one of the quitters. You will find that if you fail, pick yourself up, then have the courage to admit to your mistakes and misgivings and try again, you will learn a massive lesson in resilience. Resilience and determination are the keys to success.
Thanks for this I'm very much leaning to the side of just going at it again and giving it my all
Original post by Someboady
Long story short, got 4A*s at A-level. Failed my first year studying at Imperial and now ive lost faith in my abilities as a student.
I have the option to retake the entire year as a new student but I am terrified of failing again its been absolute hell.
I'm perfectly content with going to a less prestigious uni and getting a degree that doesnt have as high a risk of failure.
This has really been a really painful summer and I can't decide between retaking this year or just taking a gap and going to uni in 2019.
Any help is appreciated.
I have the option to retake the entire year as a new student but I am terrified of failing again its been absolute hell.
I'm perfectly content with going to a less prestigious uni and getting a degree that doesnt have as high a risk of failure.
This has really been a really painful summer and I can't decide between retaking this year or just taking a gap and going to uni in 2019.
Any help is appreciated.
Oh gosh, I'm sorry to hear this. I was a first year student at Imperial last year too, and am not allowed to return until 2019 for medical reasons now. I also got 4 A* at A-Level so I relate to how you're feeling. Failure is horrible. Which subject were you studying?
Going to a less prestigious uni might be better for you, because that way there will be less pressure and stress (which will be better for your mental health). Also with 4 A*, you'd easily be the best student there!
Original post by neosgo
did you try as hard as a levels in your uni year?
I would say I put more effort and sacrificed more in my A-levels than I did at university and I thought I could sort of balance things at uni e.g. healthy lifestyle + studying and in the end I couldn't find the balance I needed
Original post by dirt consider
Whatever you do, don’t take a gap year. Judging by your attitude to uni right now, after a gap year you most probably won’t even want to go back.
As for retaking or going to another university, could you have worked considerably harder? How close from passing were you? Would you ever be able to attain a 1st or a 2:1 at imperial? Consider all these things. Honestly there’s no point getting a degree if you’re going to get a third, so maybe switching might be ideal, with 4 A*’s you could pretty much go wherever you want, maybe one of the less prestigious Russel Groups?
As for retaking or going to another university, could you have worked considerably harder? How close from passing were you? Would you ever be able to attain a 1st or a 2:1 at imperial? Consider all these things. Honestly there’s no point getting a degree if you’re going to get a third, so maybe switching might be ideal, with 4 A*’s you could pretty much go wherever you want, maybe one of the less prestigious Russel Groups?
You're right I feel like I should give it a second try because whats the worst that could happen.. if I fail again I can cut my losses after that
I wasn't terribly far off. I achieved a 2:2 but I didn't achieve 40% in all of my modules.
It's true the issue is most unis are no longer accepting students :/
Original post by Someboady
Thanks for this I'm very much leaning to the side of just going at it again and giving it my all
Don’t just lean towards it. Do it. Don’t listen to anyone else saying take the easy route and go for a different place to study. You can do it! You know you can. There is no way in hell you would of achieved 4 A*’s if you were not a competent student.
The old saying anything worth having in life doesn’t come easy applies here. Your biggest challenge is taking responsibility for your failure, taking control of your own future in spite of past failures and then going on to succeed. It’s the archetypal hero story.
(edited 5 years ago)
Not graduating from imperial could be something you always regret by going to a less prestigious place...you really need to ask yourself why did you fail, and more importantly how did you not get 40% of your resits?
My friend had to leave University of Nottingham and is going to Leicester, because he knew he couldn't hang, but to be honest with you, if your struggling so much even a lower ranked RG isnt all that easy, maybe look just outside the RG.
Like a Kent type deal, smaller classes and more support.
My friend had to leave University of Nottingham and is going to Leicester, because he knew he couldn't hang, but to be honest with you, if your struggling so much even a lower ranked RG isnt all that easy, maybe look just outside the RG.
Like a Kent type deal, smaller classes and more support.
Original post by Someboady
Long story short, got 4A*s at A-level. Failed my first year studying at Imperial and now ive lost faith in my abilities as a student.
I have the option to retake the entire year as a new student but I am terrified of failing again its been absolute hell.
I'm perfectly content with going to a less prestigious uni and getting a degree that doesnt have as high a risk of failure.
This has really been a really painful summer and I can't decide between retaking this year or just taking a gap and going to uni in 2019.
Any help is appreciated.
I have the option to retake the entire year as a new student but I am terrified of failing again its been absolute hell.
I'm perfectly content with going to a less prestigious uni and getting a degree that doesnt have as high a risk of failure.
This has really been a really painful summer and I can't decide between retaking this year or just taking a gap and going to uni in 2019.
Any help is appreciated.
If i was in your situation, I would only retake the first year if i know i can pass it second time round (i wouldn't waste more money for no reason).
The big thing you need to figure out is did you work as hard as you could, because if the answer is yes then switch uni/course. If not the try again!
Original post by Someboady
Long story short, got 4A*s at A-level. Failed my first year studying at Imperial and now ive lost faith in my abilities as a student.
I have the option to retake the entire year as a new student but I am terrified of failing again its been absolute hell.
I'm perfectly content with going to a less prestigious uni and getting a degree that doesnt have as high a risk of failure.
This has really been a really painful summer and I can't decide between retaking this year or just taking a gap and going to uni in 2019.
Any help is appreciated.
I have the option to retake the entire year as a new student but I am terrified of failing again its been absolute hell.
I'm perfectly content with going to a less prestigious uni and getting a degree that doesnt have as high a risk of failure.
This has really been a really painful summer and I can't decide between retaking this year or just taking a gap and going to uni in 2019.
Any help is appreciated.
I'm in the same position as you.
I failed first year at Imperial as I didn't get 40% in one of my modules.
I'm only resitting my exams at the end of the year.
I'll probably try to do some other stuff during the year such as getting a job for a bit, reading books, exercising and making myself more all-rounded.
If you were able to get 4A*s, you have what it takes to pass, but just need to put a bit more effort in.
Original post by Someboady
Long story short, got 4A*s at A-level. Failed my first year studying at Imperial and now ive lost faith in my abilities as a student.
I have the option to retake the entire year as a new student but I am terrified of failing again its been absolute hell.
I'm perfectly content with going to a less prestigious uni and getting a degree that doesnt have as high a risk of failure.
This has really been a really painful summer and I can't decide between retaking this year or just taking a gap and going to uni in 2019.
Any help is appreciated.
I have the option to retake the entire year as a new student but I am terrified of failing again its been absolute hell.
I'm perfectly content with going to a less prestigious uni and getting a degree that doesnt have as high a risk of failure.
This has really been a really painful summer and I can't decide between retaking this year or just taking a gap and going to uni in 2019.
Any help is appreciated.
Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to succeed. Walt Disney was told he was a failure, J.K rowling was rejected a million times, Steve Jobs was kicked out of his own company. The key is don't give up, spend more time revising in the library. If you consistently did bad in all your exams then it is indicative that you haven;t been trying as hard as you can. If you failed one or two exams, then it simply means trying harder in the stuff you are not good at.
University is designed to be hard. It's unlike GCSE, A-levels because it is more focussed finely on specialist areas, think of it this way a University degree is like a doctor who specialises in a certain area like a Neurologist or dermatologist. It is so detail orientated that if you aren't drowning in reading you aren't doing enough. Try a little harder, certainly don't give up.
Did you pick a course you enjoy or one that you are good at it? first one is always advised, cause you always pick yourself back up.
Original post by Quantum_of_Hope
Oh gosh, I'm sorry to hear this. I was a first year student at Imperial last year too, and am not allowed to return until 2019 for medical reasons now. I also got 4 A* at A-Level so I relate to how you're feeling. Failure is horrible. Which subject were you studying?
Going to a less prestigious uni might be better for you, because that way there will be less pressure and stress (which will be better for your mental health). Also with 4 A*, you'd easily be the best student there!
Going to a less prestigious uni might be better for you, because that way there will be less pressure and stress (which will be better for your mental health). Also with 4 A*, you'd easily be the best student there!
I think you're exaggerating the gap in terms of work between Imperial and a "less prestigious uni". The level of effort and work you need to put in, to do well at a less prestigious university will still remain the same as Imperial.
Firstly, we don't even know what he's studying (could be Maths for example, in which the standards set at most universities will remain the same).
His main problem is actually putting in the work and studying, and putting the hours. If he doesn't put in the hours at another university, he'll still come out with the same result and fail.
Original post by AnharM
I think you're exaggerating the gap in terms of work between Imperial and a "less prestigious uni". The level of effort and work you need to put in, to do well at a less prestigious university will still remain the same as Imperial.
Firstly, we don't even know what he's studying (could be Maths for example, in which the standards set at most universities will remain the same).
His main problem is actually putting in the work and studying, and putting the hours. If he doesn't put in the hours at another university, he'll still come out with the same result and fail.
Firstly, we don't even know what he's studying (could be Maths for example, in which the standards set at most universities will remain the same).
His main problem is actually putting in the work and studying, and putting the hours. If he doesn't put in the hours at another university, he'll still come out with the same result and fail.
I think he's studying computing
Original post by man111111
If i was in your situation, I would only retake the first year if i know i can pass it second time round (i wouldn't waste more money for no reason).
He'll have to take out another student loan when he moves to a different university anyway, so money isn't the factor.
Original post by Someboady
Long story short, got 4A*s at A-level. Failed my first year studying at Imperial and now ive lost faith in my abilities as a student.
I have the option to retake the entire year as a new student but I am terrified of failing again its been absolute hell.
I'm perfectly content with going to a less prestigious uni and getting a degree that doesnt have as high a risk of failure.
This has really been a really painful summer and I can't decide between retaking this year or just taking a gap and going to uni in 2019.
Any help is appreciated.
I have the option to retake the entire year as a new student but I am terrified of failing again its been absolute hell.
I'm perfectly content with going to a less prestigious uni and getting a degree that doesnt have as high a risk of failure.
This has really been a really painful summer and I can't decide between retaking this year or just taking a gap and going to uni in 2019.
Any help is appreciated.
You could try to pass the first year at Imperial then transfer to the second year at another university, but there is the risk of failing again.
In my opinion, Imperial is not worth it, especially if it has been hell for you. I have a first class degree in physics and an MSc in nuclear... degrees are MASSIVELY overrated and is not worth putting yourself through hell for.
University league tables also do not matter in the real world (unless you want to be a hedge fund manager or something ridiculous), so bear this in mind.
Original post by AnharM
I think you're exaggerating the gap in terms of work between Imperial and a "less prestigious uni". The level of effort and work you need to put in, to do well at a less prestigious university will still remain the same as Imperial.
Firstly, we don't even know what he's studying (could be Maths for example, in which the standards set at most universities will remain the same).
His main problem is actually putting in the work and studying, and putting the hours. If he doesn't put in the hours at another university, he'll still come out with the same result and fail.
Firstly, we don't even know what he's studying (could be Maths for example, in which the standards set at most universities will remain the same).
His main problem is actually putting in the work and studying, and putting the hours. If he doesn't put in the hours at another university, he'll still come out with the same result and fail.
Imperial (and Oxbridge) are harder than other universities. Second year physics topics at other unis (such as electromagnetism and vector calculus in the case of physics) are covered in the first year at Imperial.
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