im lost....

Hi, I'm a Year 12 student doing my A Levels, and I feel like I've reached a really low point. Life doesn’t feel worth it anymore, and I don’t know what I’m doing or why I should keep going. I see everyone around me going to these amazing universities, accomplishing big things, and I just wonder if it’s even worth thinking about university for me with my grades. It would be helpful if someone could look at them and tell me if there’s even any hope.

I want to do medicine at university, but I’m starting to question if life is even worth it at all or if I should keep trying. My GCSEs are:

- Health and Social Care - 9
- English Literature - 8
- English Language - 8
- Maths - 7
- Business - 7
- RE - 7
- Sciences (I did triple) - 6
- French - 5

I know I could push for A’s at A Level if I try—I’m already getting A’s in class tests—but why go through all that pressure if I end up disappointed anyway? I just feel so alone, so hopeless, and I can’t tell anyone. Everyone else seems to be moving forward, bound to become successful and achieve so much.

My A Levels are in Maths, Biology, and Chemistry, and I’m considering doing an EPQ, but I’m not sure yet. Should I just stop while I’m ahead and avoid the disappointment of not getting into any university because of my GCSEs? Or should I even bother with A Levels at all? It feels like my only options are to settle for an average job, maybe working at Tesco or something, because nothing else seems worth it anymore.

Some days, it feels crushing to look at my grades. They feel like this heavy label I can’t escape, as if they’re proof that I’ll never be good enough to reach my goals. It’s affecting me mentally in ways I can’t put into words—every day is a reminder of the gap between me and everyone else. I feel trapped in this cycle of disappointment and doubt, and it's like there’s no point in trying. It’s draining me, making everything seem pointless, like no matter what I do, I’ll never reach where I want to be. This feeling of falling behind everyone else is haunting, and it makes me feel so alone. so yh...thats where im at Any advice would be really appreciated. I just feel so lost.

Reply 1

CardiffUni Rep 2

Official Rep

Original post by cupquake

Hi, I'm a Year 12 student doing my A Levels, and I feel like I've reached a really low point. Life doesn’t feel worth it anymore, and I don’t know what I’m doing or why I should keep going. I see everyone around me going to these amazing universities, accomplishing big things, and I just wonder if it’s even worth thinking about university for me with my grades. It would be helpful if someone could look at them and tell me if there’s even any hope.
I want to do medicine at university, but I’m starting to question if life is even worth it at all or if I should keep trying. My GCSEs are:
- Health and Social Care - 9
- English Literature - 8
- English Language - 8
- Maths - 7
- Business - 7
- RE - 7
- Sciences (I did triple) - 6
- French - 5
I know I could push for A’s at A Level if I try—I’m already getting A’s in class tests—but why go through all that pressure if I end up disappointed anyway? I just feel so alone, so hopeless, and I can’t tell anyone. Everyone else seems to be moving forward, bound to become successful and achieve so much.
My A Levels are in Maths, Biology, and Chemistry, and I’m considering doing an EPQ, but I’m not sure yet. Should I just stop while I’m ahead and avoid the disappointment of not getting into any university because of my GCSEs? Or should I even bother with A Levels at all? It feels like my only options are to settle for an average job, maybe working at Tesco or something, because nothing else seems worth it anymore.
Some days, it feels crushing to look at my grades. They feel like this heavy label I can’t escape, as if they’re proof that I’ll never be good enough to reach my goals. It’s affecting me mentally in ways I can’t put into words—every day is a reminder of the gap between me and everyone else. I feel trapped in this cycle of disappointment and doubt, and it's like there’s no point in trying. It’s draining me, making everything seem pointless, like no matter what I do, I’ll never reach where I want to be. This feeling of falling behind everyone else is haunting, and it makes me feel so alone. so yh...thats where im at Any advice would be really appreciated. I just feel so lost.

Hi,

Totally understand how you're feeling. I really struggled in super competitive environments as well, where it felt like everyone else was going way ahead of me.

I think that its really important to talk to someone about how you're feeling. Do you have a head of sixth form, or a teacher you trust? It might feel a bit weird to reach out for support, but its definitely worth it, knowing that someone has your back.

And if you need a little inspiration/motivating, just remember that year 12, especially at this time of year, is still early days! In year 12, I was given C and B grades by my teacher. By the time I applied to uni in year 13, I got predicted AAA and when I picked my results up, I got A*AA :smile:

There is still loads of time to change your grades!

And even if everything goes wrong in your A-Levels, just remember that they're not the end of the line - there are always options.

I did an EPQ myself and I loved it, and at some unis like Cardiff, if you get an A in it, you may get your grade offer lowered. Its something I'll always recommend, but of course, it depends on how well you're coping with your other A-Level subjects!

~ Fatiha, Cardiff University Student Rep

Reply 2

cupquake

ahh thank you so so much,and about the head of year thing, believe it or not he favors those who had higher grades than me and he eve speaks to me (and a couple others) in this passive aggressive tone (and when i did have a discussion with him abt grades and applying to uni he quite literally said "okay so you ca just drop out of a level" so i think that sums up why my confidence is shattered)......so yh thats not a option but thank you and im so glad to hear that u can make ur grades better

Reply 3

CardiffUni Rep 2

Official Rep

Original post by cupquake

Ah sorry to hear that :frown:

Having unsupportive teachers always sucks! Its really hard to keep going sometimes when people don't have your back, but its deffo worth it in the end!

Even if you can't necessarily find support from teachers - it really helps me to tell someone else about my struggles, whether its family or friends. I've found that its really validating sometimes and even just one person cheering you on for your A-Levels helps a lot to keep going.

For me, changing my grades around was a lot of effort in believing in myself and pushing myself even when other people said I couldn't. It can be hard - because sometimes we really rely on our current grades, what other people say, to keep going - but its definitely doable in the end!

~ Fatiha, Cardiff University Student Rep