I got an A* but I’m still overthinking so much it’s making me anxious.

I recently got a 37/40 on my history coursework (A*), which I should be happy about.

But instead, I’m constantly overthinking it and replaying every tiny thing I could’ve done differently. I worked incredibly hard on my coursework but I still didn't get full marks. Now I'm worried I'll pour my heart into history revision and still not get the grade I want.

I love history, but the pressure is draining the joy out of it. I feel like I can’t stop obsessing over whether I’m good enough, and today I ended up so overwhelmed I cried over my coursework I’ve actually done well on.

I know I sound silly since I got such a high grade (and I am proud of myself and grateful for my teacher for all the feedback she has given me) but it's like I just can’t stop thinking about what I could’ve done better. I don’t know how to let it go.

Has anyone else experienced this kind of emotional whiplash after doing well? I feel like I put so much of myself into that coursework that my brain just won’t let go of it.

Reply 1

Cainkooni

You got higher than literally everyone doing history at my school! Expecting full marks is impossible, especially in essay based subjects. 37/40 is a phenomenal achievement, you are in the top 1% of people, no one expects you to be top 0.1%. I spent far too much of my time, energy and emotional capacity on my Computing coursework and didn't get full marks, just enough to make the A* possible.
Don't beat yourself up about it; the fact that you are able to put in the effort to do well and revise shows you are a top student with great prospects in the future!
I'm rooting for you for the A* 🥳

Reply 2

Syncola

Original post by Cainkooni

Thank you so much; that's really sweet of you!

Reply 3

BCU Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post by Syncola

I recently got a 37/40 on my history coursework (A*), which I should be happy about.
But instead, I’m constantly overthinking it and replaying every tiny thing I could’ve done differently. I worked incredibly hard on my coursework but I still didn't get full marks. Now I'm worried I'll pour my heart into history revision and still not get the grade I want.
I love history, but the pressure is draining the joy out of it. I feel like I can’t stop obsessing over whether I’m good enough, and today I ended up so overwhelmed I cried over my coursework I’ve actually done well on.
I know I sound silly since I got such a high grade (and I am proud of myself and grateful for my teacher for all the feedback she has given me) but it's like I just can’t stop thinking about what I could’ve done better. I don’t know how to let it go.
Has anyone else experienced this kind of emotional whiplash after doing well? I feel like I put so much of myself into that coursework that my brain just won’t let go of it.

Hi @Syncola,

You don't sound silly at all. That emotional whiplash of doing well but still feeling like it’s not “enough” is something so many of us go through, especially when we’ve poured our heart into something. A 37/40 is an amazing mark, congrats! But I totally understand how the perfectionist voice in your head is still finding things to nitpick. That doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful or unappreciative, it just shows how much you care.

Please know that this kind of perfectionism doesn’t reflect your actual worth or ability. You’re clearly incredibly capable, not just because of the grade, but because you engaged so deeply with your subject. You’re not “less than” because you didn’t get full marks. You’ve already proven that you're good, but your brain is so used to striving that it hasn’t figured out how to rest yet.

You're doing great. Be kind to yourself 🙂

Hope this helps,
Danish
BCU Student Rep

Reply 4

EdgeHillStudents

Official Rep

Original post by Syncola

I recently got a 37/40 on my history coursework (A*), which I should be happy about.
But instead, I’m constantly overthinking it and replaying every tiny thing I could’ve done differently. I worked incredibly hard on my coursework but I still didn't get full marks. Now I'm worried I'll pour my heart into history revision and still not get the grade I want.
I love history, but the pressure is draining the joy out of it. I feel like I can’t stop obsessing over whether I’m good enough, and today I ended up so overwhelmed I cried over my coursework I’ve actually done well on.
I know I sound silly since I got such a high grade (and I am proud of myself and grateful for my teacher for all the feedback she has given me) but it's like I just can’t stop thinking about what I could’ve done better. I don’t know how to let it go.
Has anyone else experienced this kind of emotional whiplash after doing well? I feel like I put so much of myself into that coursework that my brain just won’t let go of it.

Hi @Syncola !

First of all I want to say well done! That is a brilliant score. But I understand the feeling of self doubt so your feelings are valid! I know it can be so easy to get lost in what you are doing and therefore not happy with anything less than perfect. Personally, when I am unhappy with good marks (which I am guilty of too!) I let myself feel it and then try to rationalise it. This can help as I get my emotions out but then bring myself back to the reality of the situation. You work hard and you deserve to feel proud of your mark.

Full marks is a great goal to work towards, but less than that is still amazing.

I hope this helps! 🙂

Emily
Third Year Creative Writing Student

Reply 5

Kingston Eve

Official Rep

Original post by Syncola

I recently got a 37/40 on my history coursework (A*), which I should be happy about.
But instead, I’m constantly overthinking it and replaying every tiny thing I could’ve done differently. I worked incredibly hard on my coursework but I still didn't get full marks. Now I'm worried I'll pour my heart into history revision and still not get the grade I want.
I love history, but the pressure is draining the joy out of it. I feel like I can’t stop obsessing over whether I’m good enough, and today I ended up so overwhelmed I cried over my coursework I’ve actually done well on.
I know I sound silly since I got such a high grade (and I am proud of myself and grateful for my teacher for all the feedback she has given me) but it's like I just can’t stop thinking about what I could’ve done better. I don’t know how to let it go.
Has anyone else experienced this kind of emotional whiplash after doing well? I feel like I put so much of myself into that coursework that my brain just won’t let go of it.

Hi @Syncola,

Congratulations on an excellent score! However, I completely understand where you're coming from in terms of it not feeling like 'enough'. When we pour so much time and energy into writing a piece, we can grow quite attached to it and it's difficult to imagine how we could have been more committed to it than we already were. 🙂

What's important to consider here is that it's incredibly rare to achieve full marks in a piece of coursework at A-Level; for example, I achieved 47/50 on my English Literature A-Level coursework and that was the highest mark in my school. Those missing three marks aren't so much a reflection of your ability as they are a reflection of the often stringent coursework grading standards imposed by exam boards.

Best of luck with your A-Level exams,
Eve (Kingston Rep).

(edited 3 weeks ago)