Scared about First Year Exams at University

I guess I just want some reassurance that as I long as I revise hard from now on I can pass?

As long as you revise hard from now on, you can pass! In fact although 'it's impossible to fail' is a bit hyperbolic it is pretty rare to fail Prelims. You should pass if you put in a modicum of work and it sounds like you are.

Actually from what you say it sounds more like the dangers for you are more about state of mind than state of work. Try not to le't let anxiety about failure stop you from preparing, and don't dwell on the thought that you haven't revised as hard in the past—you can't change that and you mustn't let it distract you from revising in the present. A certain amount of worry is a natural response to the situation so there's no need to feel bad about feeling bad, but at the same time try to identify when you're worrying, observe the worry, set it aside and focus on what you can do in the here and now.

Have you explored any of the welfare/pastoral support options available to you through your college or through OUSU? If not, that might be worth trying. You're far from the only student in the university feeling self-doubt and anxiety about exams, there ought to be help available and you shouldn't feel weak or ill because you seek it out—getting help is a rational and active decision.

I've taught undergraduate English at Oxford but I didn't do my BA there so I'm not entirely sure I can usefully comment on practical revision tips. I would say, though, that even tutors who don't give grades (guilty!) are often willing to give you a rough indication of the level you're working at (like, 'at present you're in the middle of the 2.1 bracket') if you ask. (Indeed I was taught that it's pedagogically useful to withold numerical grades, but if you do so it's good practice to give students regular updates on the general standard of their work whether or not they ask for them.) Of course tutors vary and if you're stuck with someone intimidating or if your tutors flatly refuse to pronounce on your performance in that way then there's no helping that, I suppose.

Thank you so much for your response!