Worried about failing first year exams

Hi,

I’m a current PPE student and I’ve fallen really behind this term, I’ve got exams in 7 weeks and I just don’t know how I’m going to balance it all. I can’t stop thinking about what will happen if I fail out of the course, or alternatively get a third and not be able to get any internships or placement year offers meaning I’m essentially doomed. I’m finding the content really heavy and almost too much to cover and I’m extremely stressed out. Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with any of this?

Thank you

Reply 1

PS Reviewer

Original post by Anonymous

Have you spoken to your tutor?
Checked out the study skills support from your university (often this is offered through the library or student support team)?
Your course/student handbook should help explain what happens if you fail an exam and about what resit options are available.
Did you have any exams in January?

Reply 2

University of Bath

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Hi,
I’m a current PPE student and I’ve fallen really behind this term, I’ve got exams in 7 weeks and I just don’t know how I’m going to balance it all. I can’t stop thinking about what will happen if I fail out of the course, or alternatively get a third and not be able to get any internships or placement year offers meaning I’m essentially doomed. I’m finding the content really heavy and almost too much to cover and I’m extremely stressed out. Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with any of this?
Thank you

Hi there,

I'm sorry to hear you're feeling stressed out, however if anything this shows that you care about your subject and doing well, which is a good thing 🙂

It sounds to me like you perhaps put a lot of pressure on yourself and could do with some self-belief!

I would start with going over the content from your lectures and making sure you understand the key topics, then finding a few more up to date references which elaborate on them. Do your modules have any suggested reading you may be able to skim over?

I would also not worry about reading everything end-to-end - read smartly instead - with your articles, start with the intros and the conclusions, and then if you wanted to find out more then look into the other sections afterwards if you have time.

Are there any practice essay questions you can use online or from your classes? If so, then these will be good to practice on in a few weeks when you've revised a bit. Perhaps you could revise by making bullet pointed answers detailing the points you'd make and which references you'd include in what section.

My last bit of advice would be to be strict with yourself about your study schedule - set aside 2-4 hours per day to do independent study/practice sessions around your classes and work to go over content you've already learnt. I would also suggest keeping your evenings free for relaxing, getting some good time in with friends and societies etc and making sure you get plenty of rest. Having a good cut-off point helps you to stay motivated and allows you to glean satisfaction after you've finished work for the day.

I hope some of this helps, and best of luck with your exams - I'm sure if you keep organised and be confident you'll smash them 🙂

Holly
University of Bath

Reply 3

UEA Rep Grace

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Hi,
I’m a current PPE student and I’ve fallen really behind this term, I’ve got exams in 7 weeks and I just don’t know how I’m going to balance it all. I can’t stop thinking about what will happen if I fail out of the course, or alternatively get a third and not be able to get any internships or placement year offers meaning I’m essentially doomed. I’m finding the content really heavy and almost too much to cover and I’m extremely stressed out. Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with any of this?
Thank you

Hi, sorry you're going through this!

I went through something similar when it all just piled up at once and I just couldn't stop thinking about my future and how I was going to fail. I would recommend speaking to your academic advisor, the wellbeing team and any student support service that helps with studying. For instance at UEA we have the learning enhancement team who will help you manage your time or help you study. I would book those appointments ASAP so then you've taken concrete steps to catch up.

With my exams I focused on the practice questions and learning the formula for how to answer them and just revised, revised, revised. But I also reached out for support when I got stressed and got advice from my family and friends. I created a study schedule and used pomodoro apps to study bit by bit and did whatever I needed to do to study- buy coffees or snacks, or beg friends to come to the library with me.

I hope this helps, just know most people have been in a situation like yours and have manaed to get good grades so you definitely can too! Good luck! 😊

Reply 4

UCLan_Siobhan

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Hi,
I’m a current PPE student and I’ve fallen really behind this term, I’ve got exams in 7 weeks and I just don’t know how I’m going to balance it all. I can’t stop thinking about what will happen if I fail out of the course, or alternatively get a third and not be able to get any internships or placement year offers meaning I’m essentially doomed. I’m finding the content really heavy and almost too much to cover and I’m extremely stressed out. Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with any of this?
Thank you

Hey there!

Nice to meet you, my name is Siobhan and I'm a third-year student at the University of Central Lancashire. You are not the only one in this situation so try not to panic too much. It is also great that you are seeking advice, and you should be really proud of yourself for doing so. Here are some things that have helped me and my friends when we were in your spot:

•

Meet with your personal tutor/module lecturer – Having an open and honest conversation with a tutor or lecturer can help them understand what is going on. They’re there to help, and they may offer advice or extra resources to help you catch up.

•

Break down your revision into smaller steps and focus on chunks rather than the whole picture. Instead of thinking ‘I have so much to do’, try and say, ‘I will cover 2 topics today and 2 tomorrow’. You will feel much more productive this way and less overwhelmed.

•

On that same topic, set times and dates of when you will do work. Don’t try and do it all in one sitting as you will get burnt out quickly. I like to set 3 hours after my lectures are finished to recap what we have done and revise the topics for exams, so that once I finish, I can go home and not bring stress with me.

•

Be in an environment that makes you more productive. For me, it was going to the student center and listening to music, which helped me get in a ‘revision’ mode and focus better.

•

A method that helped me when revising was using colour co-ordination to identify the gaps in my knowledge. I would create a spreadsheet for each topic and write everything I know in green, things I knew partially in orange and then I would go back and fill the gaps in red.

•

Make sure to take regular breaks. Look after your mental and physical health during exam season as it can be very easy to get burnt out. Do things in the evening to help you relax and separate yourself from the stress. This might be a movie, sport or hobby.

•

If you are still really overwhelmed and need more support, reach out to your uni wellbeing service as they can be really beneficial in offering advice and techniques to deal with stress in a healthy way.

Hope this helps, please let me know if I can help in any other way and good luck with your exams 😊

Siobhan (Student Ambassador for University of Central Lancashire)

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