The Student Room Group

how to deal with disappointment

Hi, I’m a Year 12 Student and I’ve just received all my mock examinations. I take Biology, Chemistry and Maths and got A*AA but I can’t help but cry everytime I think of these results. I studied so so hard for my exams, during the holidays I studied for 12 hours at times but I was not burnt out, I was still sleeping well and I enjoy learning, and since I enjoy my subjects, it didn’t feel like burn out. If I ever was burnt out, it was during the last week of exams however I performed best in those exams. I know it sounds ridiculous that I am upset, but I just am, I expect so much from myself and I need to be this picture perfect student because it’s the only thing I am good at and where I get my source of validation from. My parents don’t pressure me much, but I feel like my father is disappointed whilst the mother doesn’t seem bothered and she keeps questioning me why I am upset. I think this is because she spent a lot of time hospitalised during the period I was studying, so she does not quite know how hard I worked for these exams. Although these grades do not matter, I just feel so bad about them. My predicted grades for UCAS are likely to be A*A*A* or if harsh, A*A*A. But I can’t help feel so angry at myself. I have always been good at maths and have never gotten below a 95% in year 12, I also got around 96% in my GCSE so I never often underperform in any sort of examination, but my whole entire pure maths paper was just full of silly little mistakes which cost me all my marks and I don’t know how to feel. I feel like I’ve just lost all my academic abilities and I’ll never be able to perform well again.

Reply 1

Perhaps it's your expectations towards the subject, maybe change your outlook towards it? As I'm sure you know, working for long hours doesn't equate to better academic performance. A levels are tough and the examinations and patterns in questions are a lot different to GCSE. You are simply not used to the style of exams. That's not a bad thing, it will come with time and practice. You shouldn't be disappointed, just learn from your mistakes but don't be too hard on yourself, quite literally everyone struggles with A-levels, even the top students.

Reply 2

Go and talk to your teachers - on Monday.
You are not the first person to hit this 'crunch' and they can help you get around it and move on.
Its fixable - but only if you ask for help.
.

Reply 3

Original post by gyuj1nss
Hi, I’m a Year 12 Student and I’ve just received all my mock examinations. I take Biology, Chemistry and Maths and got A*AA but I can’t help but cry everytime I think of these results. I studied so so hard for my exams, during the holidays I studied for 12 hours at times but I was not burnt out, I was still sleeping well and I enjoy learning, and since I enjoy my subjects, it didn’t feel like burn out. If I ever was burnt out, it was during the last week of exams however I performed best in those exams. I know it sounds ridiculous that I am upset, but I just am, I expect so much from myself and I need to be this picture perfect student because it’s the only thing I am good at and where I get my source of validation from. My parents don’t pressure me much, but I feel like my father is disappointed whilst the mother doesn’t seem bothered and she keeps questioning me why I am upset. I think this is because she spent a lot of time hospitalised during the period I was studying, so she does not quite know how hard I worked for these exams. Although these grades do not matter, I just feel so bad about them. My predicted grades for UCAS are likely to be A*A*A* or if harsh, A*A*A. But I can’t help feel so angry at myself. I have always been good at maths and have never gotten below a 95% in year 12, I also got around 96% in my GCSE so I never often underperform in any sort of examination, but my whole entire pure maths paper was just full of silly little mistakes which cost me all my marks and I don’t know how to feel. I feel like I’ve just lost all my academic abilities and I’ll never be able to perform well again.

When I read that you were disappointed, I absolutely did not expect to see A*AA in the same sentence! I understand everybody has different standards but I really do think that you are being quite harsh on yourself here. These grades are excellent and you will definitely be able to receive offers from top universities with them. I was predicted A*AB and got offers from four top Russell groups so with your predicteds, you will be absolutely fine. If you really are upset though, I would speak to your teachers about your weakness areas as well as watching some videos from past students who have tips for your specific subjects, there are plenty on YouTube. Good luck and stop stressing because you're doing incredibly well anyway.

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