bereavement and personal problems affecting studies

Sorry for the loss of your grandmother, and that you've been unwell. Your post really sounds like you are at the end of your tether, you must be very stressed out.

I think you know what you have to do really - "suck it up, pretend I'm ok" doesn't sound like a very sustainable strategy to me. Speak to whoever is responsible for your pastoral welfare at university, whether that's someone from the students' union/Medsoc or someone more "official" on the faculty. You will not be the first student to present with problems like this, and you won't be the last, and no harm can come to you just from talking to them. It will help you clarify in your mind exactly what problems there are right now, and they will have more information about what options you have in terms of postponing exams, taking time out etc. It may also help to see your GP given your background of mental health problems, to see if further support can be arranged.

In general, med schools don't want to fail people who are struggling for genuine personal reasons, though some of them do seem to be getting a bit cynical about people pulling out "extenuating circumstances" after failing an exam. If they are aware of a problem, they can offer you various options to manage it and get through, but if you don't tell them anything, they cannot help you, and are less likely to be sympathetic after the event if you do fail. There can be no harm in speaking to them, especially as you seem to have a sensible explanation and a suggested plan for how to manage your situation. The worst they can do is say no, and even if the worst comes to the worst and they do that and you fail your exams, you would have much stronger grounds for appeal having submitted ECs in advance than if you had not done so. So TALK TO PEOPLE!

Good luck sorting this out and getting yourself back on track.

Thanks for your reply,

I'm going to talk it through with a councillor and someone at the medical school tomorrow. I don't really want to interrupt my studies, so I'm planning on doing this semester while making sure I develop healthier study habits, put a lot more effort into relaxing and get back to a healthier mindset. I'm also planning on starting regular counselling sessions - student services offer them to people with all sorts of problems, and I think I need to start talking to someone regularly so I can keep my priorities in check.

I think I've still got a few options with this exam. And really the worst thing that can happen is I sit it and fail, which is probably unlikely given the work I've already done and really wouldn't be the end of the world anyway.

You've been really helpful. Sometimes I just catastrophise everything and assume the worst will happen, but so far the medical school has been supportive and I should probably trust that they'll find some option which fits my situation. Thank you.