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Inspiring stories of failing to fail?

I’m at the end of my first (and I suspect last) year at Cambridge. My exams start on Friday and although I have worked really hard all year I think I’m going to either just scrape by or get kicked out. I can’t decide which would be worse. I want to stay, but I tried my best and if I still manage to fail or get a third that just goes to show I shouldn’t be here.

Anyone felt like this and then managed to pass?

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Original post by Platopus
I’m at the end of my first (and I suspect last) year at Cambridge. My exams start on Friday and although I have worked really hard all year I think I’m going to either just scrape by or get kicked out. I can’t decide which would be worse. I want to stay, but I tried my best and if I still manage to fail or get a third that just goes to show I shouldn’t be here.

Anyone felt like this and then managed to pass?


If you have worked really hard then you will not fail. At A Level, for example, hard work does not always translate to good results but at University level, it generally does! If you have tried your best then there is nothing to be concerned about - worrying about being kicked out will not help you in anyway! Have more confidence in yourself, you would not have got into Cambridge to begin with if you didn't have the potential to do well. :h:
Reply 3
Original post by Platopus
I’m at the end of my first (and I suspect last) year at Cambridge. My exams start on Friday and although I have worked really hard all year I think I’m going to either just scrape by or get kicked out. I can’t decide which would be worse. I want to stay, but I tried my best and if I still manage to fail or get a third that just goes to show I shouldn’t be here.

Anyone felt like this and then managed to pass?


:console:

Although recalling previous history I'm willing to bet my hat you will get a 2:1 :wink:

:hat2:

Posted from TSR Mobile
Without knowing you I'm literally 99.9% sure you're going to get a 2.i or better - the range of 2.i is so broad it encompasses virtually everyone. If you look at the class lists you can see how few lower-class/fails are awarded every year (I've never ever heard of anyone failing and the only person I've heard of who got a third was because they literally didn't show up to one of their most important exams because they got the time wrong [...]). I know a lot of people who put enough effort in to get like a 62-63 and that's it, calculating that the amount of work it'd take to get a First isn't worth it and may still result in them landing a heartbreaking 68-69 (ie the same exact grade they'd get if they did much less work and landed a 61).

Good luck from a fellow Cantab 2 hours away from sitting their first final xox
Reply 5
Original post by Parliament
Without knowing you I'm literally 99.9% sure you're going to get a 2.i or better - the range of 2.i is so broad it encompasses virtually everyone. If you look at the class lists you can see how few lower-class/fails are awarded every year (I've never ever heard of anyone failing and the only person I've heard of who got a third was because they literally didn't show up to one of their most important exams because they got the time wrong [...]). I know a lot of people who put enough effort in to get like a 62-63 and that's it, calculating that the amount of work it'd take to get a First isn't worth it and may still result in them landing a heartbreaking 68-69 (ie the same exact grade they'd get if they did much less work and landed a 61).

Good luck from a fellow Cantab 2 hours away from sitting their first final xox


Indeed, just one philosopher last year got a 3rd. 4 got a 2:2, the rest 2:1 or firsts. No 3rds at all the year before.

Posted from TSR Mobile
I thought I was going to fail in first year, I got a first. I thought I was going to fail in year 2, I got a 2.2. Thought I would fail year 3, got a 2.1 and the same in year 4. Ended up with 2.1 overall. It's inconceivable that people who try (to do well) at Oxbridge get anything less than a 2.2 at the least, and most likely a 2.1 or better, unless there have been major issues during the year. Don't worry :smile:

I remember speaking to you before you started and you were worried you weren't going to get the grades for Cam, and you got 3A*s right? It's just like that! Have faith in yourself :smile:
Reply 7
Thank you everyone. God I hope you’re right. Really starting to panic at this point. Just to check: we do t have to wear gowns for exams do we? I think I remember hearing that they do at the other place
Original post by Platopus
Thank you everyone. God I hope you’re right. Really starting to panic at this point. Just to check: we do t have to wear gowns for exams do we? I think I remember hearing that they do at the other place


Rumen has it you don't hoof to, no
Reply 9
Original post by Platopus
Thank you everyone. God I hope you’re right. Really starting to panic at this point. Just to check: we do t have to wear gowns for exams do we? I think I remember hearing that they do at the other place


Nope. That's Oxf*rd. You can wear whatever you like :smile:

Honestly you will be absolutely fine. You've done the work, you are well prepared (even if you don't think you are).

Go back to exam technique 101: take your time, read the entire paper, read it again, then begin, check your timings as you go...
(and have you seen this: http://thetriposguide.co.uk/general-advice/)

Good luck! Not that you need it. :wink:
Reply 10
Original post by Doonesbury
Nope. That's Oxf*rd. You can wear whatever you like :smile:

Honestly you will be absolutely fine. You've done the work, you are well prepared (even if you don't think you are).

Go back to exam technique 101: take your time, read the entire paper, read it again, then begin, check your timings as you go...
(and have you seen this: http://thetriposguide.co.uk/general-advice/)

Good luck! Not that you need it. :wink:

Original post by interrupting cow
Rumen has it you don't hoof to, no


Thank you :smile: that’s a relief! One less thing to worry about.
Reply 11
Original post by Doonesbury
Nope. That's Oxf*rd. You can wear whatever you like :smile:

Honestly you will be absolutely fine. You've done the work, you are well prepared (even if you don't think you are).

Go back to exam technique 101: take your time, read the entire paper, read it again, then begin, check your timings as you go...
(and have you seen this: http://thetriposguide.co.uk/general-advice/)

Good luck! Not that you need it. :wink:


One last thing I swear (sorry!). You wouldn’t happen to know whether we get desk numbers, would you? Or, do we just sit in any order? I’m guessing it’s the latter because I haven’t been given any desk numbers, but at school we always had desk numbers so I wondered. I don’t want to get told off for sitting in the wrong place.
Reply 12
Original post by Platopus
One last thing I swear (sorry!). You wouldn’t happen to know whether we get desk numbers, would you? Or, do we just sit in any order? I’m guessing it’s the latter because I haven’t been given any desk numbers, but at school we always had desk numbers so I wondered. I don’t want to get told off for sitting in the wrong place.


That I don't know. Soz.

If be guessing if I said you can sit where you like, but I'm going to say that anyway... :smile:

Have you checked:
https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/examinations/undergraduate-exam-information


Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Platopus
One last thing I swear (sorry!). You wouldn’t happen to know whether we get desk numbers, would you? Or, do we just sit in any order? I’m guessing it’s the latter because I haven’t been given any desk numbers, but at school we always had desk numbers so I wondered. I don’t want to get told off for sitting in the wrong place.


Stop flapping! These are first year exams in a university that is paranoid about reducing exam pressure etc. Just turn up and everything is sort-outable. I used to invigilate exams, including philosophy (I think that's your subject?) - are you in LMH? Invigilators have to wear gowns, students can wear anything. I can't recall that there were any seat numbers, I don't think so. Invigilators used to get a list of students likely to faint, vomit or spontaneously combust and then how to get them escorted back to College, papers sealed etc so they could continue in College. There is always an invigilator in the room, an loo escort/emergency spare hand outside the room, and a subject matter expert is there at the start for 15 minutes or so, in case there are subject specific questions, and then a Proctor or similar also visits at some point to check all is fine. You really will be fine, just focus on answering the question in a well constructed format. And have a good night's sleep tonight and a decent breakfast tomorrow. Good luck!
Reply 14
Original post by Doonesbury
If be guessing if I said you can sit where you like, but I'm going to say that anyway... :smile:


Update: @Platopus I'm told yes you are given a designated seat in the exam hall.

Posted from TSR Mobile
(edited 5 years ago)
what are you studying at cambridge?
Original post by Platopus
One last thing I swear (sorry!). You wouldn’t happen to know whether we get desk numbers, would you? Or, do we just sit in any order? I’m guessing it’s the latter because I haven’t been given any desk numbers, but at school we always had desk numbers so I wondered. I don’t want to get told off for sitting in the wrong place.


You probs know this by now but your desk will have a lil card on it with your name and all the details you need to write on the front of the paper. Outside the exam room there'll be a big board - it varies slightly by venue but you just need to match up your candidate number with where it says to sit on the board. If you get in there and you decide you don't like your desk (wobbly/sun is hitting it/would rather sit on your own) this is also usually allowed provided there's spare capacity - talk to the invigilators and they'll move you to another desk.

And don't wear your gown. Wear the comfiest clothes you own, GDBO

Original post by ninja_uchiha
what are you studying at cambridge?


OP studies philosophy
Reply 17
@Parliament @Doonesbury @threeportdrift and to everyone else who commented before, thank you for your kind words.

The exam is done now, but I feel so frustrated with myself because I know I could have done better. I just panicked on seeing the questions. I am still not quite sure what one of the questions I answered wanted of me, and I think my answer was pretty useless. It’s annoying because I now realise that I actually could have done one of the questions which I didn’t answer really well, but it was worded so confusingly that I was worried at the time that I may have misinterpreted it so I avoided it.

I think 2 of my 3 essays were ok but not good and I know I can write better but my mind went blank in the exam and I was panicked. The 3rd essay... Ugh. But, I don’t think I failed. The annoying thing is that yesterday’s exam was on my best subject. If I can’t do well in that paper, then I am doomed for the others.

I did not intend to dwell on what I wrote because at A levels I did this and ended up getting really upset about my exams for weeks after I sat them. But, the thoughts just keep popping into my head and making it hard to revise for the other papers. I am even more concerned about them now. The one on Monday is my worst subject too...

Sigh. Why can’t the topics which I have good ideas on come up? And why do the questions have to be put in such a way that I fly into a blind panic and don’t see what they are asking me? I am an idiot.

Sorry for the rant. Feel free to ignore. Just had to say that somewhere.

EDIT: Aaaand I just realised what that third question I answered was actually asking. Yep, I completely misinterpreted that. My answer was completely wrong in every way. Crap :frown: what was that I said about thinking I hadn’t failed that paper? Yeah, maybe I spoke too soon.
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by Platopus
@Parliament @Doonesbury @threeportdrift and to everyone else who commented before, thank you for your kind words.

The exam is done now, but I feel so frustrated with myself because I know I could have done better. I just panicked on seeing the questions. I am still not quite sure what one of the questions I answered wanted of me, and I think my answer was pretty useless. It’s annoying because I now realise that I actually could have done one of the questions which I didn’t answer really well, but it was worded so confusingly that I was worried at the time that I may have misinterpreted it so I avoided it.

I think 2 of my 3 essays were ok but not good and I know I can write better but my mind went blank in the exam and I was panicked. The 3rd essay... Ugh. But, I don’t think I failed. The annoying thing is that yesterday’s exam was on my best subject. If I can’t do well in that paper, then I am doomed for the others.

I did not intend to dwell on what I wrote because at A levels I did this and ended up getting really upset about my exams for weeks after I sat them. But, the thoughts just keep popping into my head and making it hard to revise for the other papers. I am even more concerned about them now. The one on Monday is my worst subject too...

Sigh. Why can’t the topics which I have good ideas on come up? And why do the questions have to be put in such a way that I fly into a blind panic and don’t see what they are asking me? I am an idiot.

Sorry for the rant. Feel free to ignore. Just had to say that somewhere.

EDIT: Aaaand I just realised what that third question I answered was actually asking. Yep, I completely misinterpreted that. My answer was completely wrong in every way. Crap :frown: what was that I said about thinking I hadn’t failed that paper? Yeah, maybe I spoke too soon.


Sorry I'm a little late but I'll but in any way before rushing to the library. Basically, I really don't think I've done very well either (and my exams, which were kind-of just mocks, were in Week 0) but I've been told and heard loads of stories about people failing and not getting kicked out. I bet you've done better than you think, and if not, better now than third year.
Reply 19
Original post by SteamboatMickey
Sorry I'm a little late but I'll but in any way before rushing to the library. Basically, I really don't think I've done very well either (and my exams, which were kind-of just mocks, were in Week 0) but I've been told and heard loads of stories about people failing and not getting kicked out. I bet you've done better than you think, and if not, better now than third year.


Have replied to your message :smile:

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