Medical student - Do I really have to repeat Year 1 for just one exam?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice and insight. I had to repeat Year 1 of medicine due to personal circumstances. This time around, I managed to pass everything except one exam within a module, but I’ve been told my only option is to repeat the year again.

I wanted to ask:

• Do medical schools ever allow appeals in these situations, where you can progress to Year 2 and just resit/redo the failed module or exam?

• If not, would it make sense to consider dropping out and reapplying elsewhere closer to home, rather than going through Year 1 for a third time?

Do medical schools accept applications from students that have dropped out in the past? I’ll be honest, I’m really struggling with the thought of repeating again. I’ve carried on as best as I can, but mentally I don’t feel strong enough to face a full repeat again. I had to move quite far away from home for university that made things a lot worse.

Being closer to home would make a big difference to me, and I’m just trying to figure out what options are realistic. Has anyone been in a similar situation or know what the possibilities are?

Sorry for the long message and thank you for reading. I’d really appreciate any advice or experiences you could share.

Reply 1

junior.doctor

Sorry to hear of your difficulties.

Unfortunately, it is definitely not allowed to progress to year 2 whilst holding a fail grade from year 1. All of the year 1 assessments must be successfully completed before proceeding.

The only circumstances where an appeal could happen, are if there are retrospective mitigating circumstances that you were unable to bring to the exam board’s attention prospectively (schools are very strict over this). OR if there was some significant procedural irregularity eg a page of your exam paper was missing. Even if an appeal in these circumstances were successful, the outcome would NOT be for you to proceed to year 2, but to be allowed a further attempt at year1 - and you already have that.

I am not surprised that you are feeling weary at the thought of another go at year 1. It is exceptionally unusual that you are being allowed a third go, so in some ways you are fortunate (I presume there may have been mitigation at some point that voided one or more of your attempts). However it is a long and hard slog. However, it would be the only way.

You would not be able to reapply to any other medical school if you drop out - the is is a fairly universal situation and I am not aware of any medical school that would allow this except perhaps in exceedingly exceptional life changing circumstances.

Well done for managing everything you did this year, and for passing most things. That’s a great achievement. If you really feel that you need some time before proceeding, then your main option would be asking if they would allow an interruption of studies for a year, before then returning to try year 1 again. You would need to think about what you would do with that year, how you’d support yourself financially, any accommodation you’ve already reserved etc. And how you’d feel about returning to study again after a year away.

Best wishes to you.

Reply 2

Zarah_x25

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and provide an insight into my situation. My family and friends are suggesting that I continue and redo 1st year but I physically lack the strength rn to start all over. I am thinking of interrupting for a year to save up some money and learn and go over everything at my own pace so I’m ready to get back into med school as a fresh start. Do you think it’s better to keep going or interrupting as it could help me mentally?

Reply 3

Whatswhat

Would it be worth reconsidering whether medicine is really for you? It doesn’t get any easier in terms of studying and work load.

Reply 4

Zarah_x25

It’s not really about the workload or the course itself but more about the circumstances I’ve been juggling. In my first year, both my parents were diagnosed with cancer and needed surgeries, so I was constantly travelling back and forth to care for them as they had no one else. On top of that, I was married young due to cultural pressures and had an unsupportive partner who depended on me financially and emotionally, which created further strain. More recently, I faced homelessness when my landlord exploited us financially and then forced us out.

Alongside all this, I was also trying to manage being a housewife, looking after a home, and carrying the weight of a partner who wasn’t supportive. It’s been a very toxic and stressful few years, but I’ve now taken the step of separating, and I finally feel I can focus solely on medicine without all these distractions.

I know it won’t be easy, but I really want to give it my best shot, and I just hope God helps me through this last chance.

Reply 5

ForestGump2024

Original post

by Zarah_x25

It’s not really about the workload or the course itself but more about the circumstances I’ve been juggling. In my first year, both my parents were diagnosed with cancer and needed surgeries, so I was constantly travelling back and forth to care for them as they had no one else. On top of that, I was married young due to cultural pressures and had an unsupportive partner who depended on me financially and emotionally, which created further strain. More recently, I faced homelessness when my landlord exploited us financially and then forced us out.
Alongside all this, I was also trying to manage being a housewife, looking after a home, and carrying the weight of a partner who wasn’t supportive. It’s been a very toxic and stressful few years, but I’ve now taken the step of separating, and I finally feel I can focus solely on medicine without all these distractions.
I know it won’t be easy, but I really want to give it my best shot, and I just hope God helps me through this last chance.

Hi, I don’t have anything to add about your retakes but I couldn’t just read and not respond. You sound like a really strong, resilient person who has faced very tough circumstances. If medicine is your dream, don’t give up but perhaps see if you can take some time to get on your feet before carrying on. Perhaps if you can’t interrupt, you will not find repeating Year 1 so hard as you’ve already done it so it’s more of a refresher with a new mind set. I hope it all works out for you. It’s hard being a mum and a daughter with caring responsibilities. I hope you also get some time to relax. Xxx

Reply 6

junior.doctor

Original post

by Zarah_x25

This is going to be a very individual decision, and what’s right for one person won’t be right for another. I see you’ve shared more of your circumstances in a subsequent post. I think the main things to really genuinely consider - is what will a year change for you. For some people, they will have specific plans to rest / earn money / seek therapy that are very constructive and will put them in a much better place. Others - may sort of fall of the end of the treadmill and collapse in a bit of a heap and not have any constructive plans for the year. Which may then in turn overall leave them the same or worse off - no study for a year but nothing constructive either. If that makes sense.

On one hand, you have just done the content of first year, you were close to passing, and you are familiar with university systems and study. So in that sense, you are in a good position to carry on now and all of this will help you. A year out will mean that you get out of the habit of studying - and it is surprisingly hard to restart once you stop. HOWEVER if you are feeling that exhausted and overwhelmed that you’re not going to be able to manage, then it is by far the better option to consider a year out. But knowing that there is a moderate chance that you may yet not want to go back in a year’s time. Also think carefully about financial implications - including things like having to pay council tax as you won’t be counted as a student.

If you take a year out - make some clear plans. Keep a routine, do something constructive, try to be clear from the beginning what you want to get out of this year and how you’re going to manage things so that in a year you are ready to go back and feeling more restored. Job, volunteering, travel, seeking therapy / life coaching / other help.

Medicine is not a race, and there’s no rush - and it’s important that you make the right decision for you. There may be university careers people who can also give you independent guidance and help you to consider options for the year if you do decide to interrupt.

Best wishes to you.

Reply 7

Zarah_x25

Thank you so much for your detailed reply, it really helps to see it laid out like this. I think for me, if I do take a year out, my plan would be to work part-time and save up some money, while also going over the content again at my own pace. That way I can slowly get back into the habit of studying without the pressure, and be better prepared for next year. I’ve just had so many things happening one after another that I feel like a short break to reset and relax would really give me the chance to come back stronger.

Reply 8

ringi

Original post

by Zarah_x25

It’s not really about the workload or the course itself but more about the circumstances I’ve been juggling. In my first year, both my parents were diagnosed with cancer and needed surgeries, so I was constantly travelling back and forth to care for them as they had no one else. On top of that, I was married young due to cultural pressures and had an unsupportive partner who depended on me financially and emotionally, which created further strain. More recently, I faced homelessness when my landlord exploited us financially and then forced us out.
Alongside all this, I was also trying to manage being a housewife, looking after a home, and carrying the weight of a partner who wasn’t supportive. It’s been a very toxic and stressful few years, but I’ve now taken the step of separating, and I finally feel I can focus solely on medicine without all these distractions.
I know it won’t be easy, but I really want to give it my best shot, and I just hope God helps me through this last chance.

I think take at least one year out as your children must come 1st. You could consider ONE OU level 2 course to help you get ahead a bit and study in a different format.

The university must think a lot of you to premit a 3rd try at the 1st year.

Reply 9

Zarah_x25

Hi, could you please tell me a bit about this course that you mentioned? I didn’t quite understand. Thank you for understanding my situation and I appreciate your help.