I’ve failed my exams, what now?

I've failed my Uni exam, driving test and my social life. I get told not to get down, but I fail every time. I've failed over 20 academic exams in my life now and 4 driving tests.

It sounds like you are feel quite disheartened after failing some exams and it’s getting you down.

Failing exams can be difficult to take and it can be hard sometimes to know what to do next. You say you have failed academic exams in the past – although it might not feel like it now, exam results aren’t the only things employers look for. Life and work experience are also just as important. It’s also important to realise that not everyone processes information in the same way and while some find academic tests easy, others will struggle.

If you are considering re-taking any of your exams again, then a key thing would be to get a lot of feedback and practice in so you can prepare yourself as best you can. Try and get your hands on as many previous test papers so you can familiarise yourself with the format and questions you may get asked. If you feel that you are having trouble with your studying it might be worth taking a look at these articles on our web site; Revision tips and Exam preparation.

Remember that your health is the most important thing so it’s a good idea to allow yourself time to relax to make sure you don’t wind yourself up so tight that you can’t focus on everything that you want to do. Try to get the right amount of sleep so that you are prepared for the day ahead, which in turn will help you to manage your stress levels. Balancing your work, revision and social life will help reduce your stress levels as well.

Driving tests can be daunting and a lot of people fail due to the nature of the test. Most people find that they have to take their test more than once, and it isn’t uncommon for people to fail multiple times. So don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Learning how to drive takes time and experience so try to practice as much as you can. Driving lessons can be expensive so maybe see if your parents or friends can maybe take you out to an empty car park or industrial estate to practice. The more you practice then the more comfortable you will feel behind the wheel which should help when it comes to taking your test.

You also say you have a poor social life. When life’s pressures become difficult to cope with, this can impact on other areas of your life but it’s important to make time for yourself. Don’t neglect your friends if they invite you out for things – you need to have time away from the stresses of work and exams so take time to enjoy yourself when you can. If you don’t have many friends and want to expand your social circle, and then make an effort to try new activities and experiences – maybe think about joining a gym or a dance class. See what activities and groups have been set up in your community and go along to see what they offer – you might find a lot of like-minded people like yourself there too.

We hope this helps, but if you need any further guidance please do not hesitate to contact us again. Good luck.

Answered by bss on 20-Mar-2013

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