ruined my life idk what to do - how does a gap year work

Halfway through my exams, I've only realized how badly I'm doing. I have computer science and maths on monday and tuesday, and then those 2 again the week after. I don't have much time left so i'm going to work 10x as hard.
But i know I won't get the grades I needed for my unis - BCC.
I was going to go through clearing but i genuinely think I did so bad, that I won't be able to get any spot. I feel like I'm just gonna get DDD. I don't think i'm being harsh on myself either.
I finished my business exams - they went okay but bc business is easy, the grade boundaries are gonna be high so I probably got a C. Then Maths, I already struggled on the first paper - couldn't answer half of it. I'm so scared for paper 2 and applied. I'm so bad at applied. Then computer science - I need to revise more but there are some topics that genuinely just don't click for me and i lose marks easily. Like I am gonna get low grades.

If worst comes to worst, I will have to unfortunately take a gap year which I hated bc its just a waste of a year and I fall behind in life. But then I don't understand a gap year, can someone explain it? How can I have a year to myself and then go back to uni? Why is it a recommended thing if you've done badly if the entry grades aren't going to be lowered?

Reply 1

Anonymous #1

Original post

by Anonymous

Halfway through my exams, I've only realized how badly I'm doing. I have computer science and maths on monday and tuesday, and then those 2 again the week after. I don't have much time left so i'm going to work 10x as hard.
But i know I won't get the grades I needed for my unis - BCC.
I was going to go through clearing but i genuinely think I did so bad, that I won't be able to get any spot. I feel like I'm just gonna get DDD. I don't think i'm being harsh on myself either.
I finished my business exams - they went okay but bc business is easy, the grade boundaries are gonna be high so I probably got a C. Then Maths, I already struggled on the first paper - couldn't answer half of it. I'm so scared for paper 2 and applied. I'm so bad at applied. Then computer science - I need to revise more but there are some topics that genuinely just don't click for me and i lose marks easily. Like I am gonna get low grades.
If worst comes to worst, I will have to unfortunately take a gap year which I hated bc its just a waste of a year and I fall behind in life. But then I don't understand a gap year, can someone explain it? How can I have a year to myself and then go back to uni? Why is it a recommended thing if you've done badly if the entry grades aren't going to be lowered?

I'm unsure whether i should do a gap year or try to go through clearing - because i'm scared if I do take a gap year, I may not go back to education. Do people find it embarrassing when they go to university with everyone around them being 1 year younger?
Also scared to go through clearing bc idk if there is gonna be anything there

Reply 2

cherrycosmos

Original post

by Anonymous

I am literally in the same spot - im so scared

Reply 3

sppm726

If you think you have failed, keep an eye out for apprenticeships. At any time in the next “school year”, something good may pop up. The good thing about apprenticeships is that you can find them for pretty much any subject, and that there’s always going to be something local (or at least with a short travelling distance). Also, some apprenticeships include taking a degree part time, which they pay for in return for your loyalty to the company. A gap year isn’t a waste if you work. Experience anywhere is experience (even working at a local supermarket or restaurant because you’ll be earning money). Your school may even be able to write you a letter of recommendation.

Reply 4

walterwhite1111

Original post

by Anonymous

Halfway through my exams, I've only realized how badly I'm doing. I have computer science and maths on monday and tuesday, and then those 2 again the week after. I don't have much time left so i'm going to work 10x as hard.
But i know I won't get the grades I needed for my unis - BCC.
I was going to go through clearing but i genuinely think I did so bad, that I won't be able to get any spot. I feel like I'm just gonna get DDD. I don't think i'm being harsh on myself either.
I finished my business exams - they went okay but bc business is easy, the grade boundaries are gonna be high so I probably got a C. Then Maths, I already struggled on the first paper - couldn't answer half of it. I'm so scared for paper 2 and applied. I'm so bad at applied. Then computer science - I need to revise more but there are some topics that genuinely just don't click for me and i lose marks easily. Like I am gonna get low grades.
If worst comes to worst, I will have to unfortunately take a gap year which I hated bc its just a waste of a year and I fall behind in life. But then I don't understand a gap year, can someone explain it? How can I have a year to myself and then go back to uni? Why is it a recommended thing if you've done badly if the entry grades aren't going to be lowered?

I would suggest that you try your absolute best from now on until the exams. Like really try and push yourself when it comes to studying but make sure to eat and sleep right because that is crucial also (basic things like keeping hydrated, staying away from energy drinks and sleeping at least 6/7 hours). Don't tell yourself that you will fail or your life is ruined etc. those are just your thoughts and they are not based on real life facts whatsoever. You can deal with 'failure' once you have confirmation, but for now focus all your energy on working and trying to make the best with what you have.

As for you asking if it's embarrassing if you go to uni being a year older than your peers... let me give you some wisdom: everything is embarrassing if you think that IT is, and nothing is embarrassing if you don't find anything embarrassing - do you catch my drift? No one, and I mean no one can make you feel embarrassed if you feel and act confident in all that you do. But trust me, no one cares in the first place. Everyone is too busy thinking about themselves to think about someone else.

Taking a gap year is recommended generally for you to either find yourself OR get work experience. I would suggest doing both, do some spiritual work, work on your confidence, try to do as many internships or work experience as you can (virtual experience, real life, free, paid - honestly all of it). Trust me, in this day and age it is much better having had a lot of experience and mid academics than vice versa because I have friends who have elite degrees from elite universities and they are struggling to find work so bad because of lack of experience AND being overqualified.

Never, ever give up. It is only over when it is actually over, not when you 'think' it is. Let me refer you to a post I made on here btw [idk how to copy/paste on here but it is under my posts with the title 'you will be ok'] - I hope it can help you out!

Wish you all the very best.

(edited 1 year ago)