What should I do if I've failed my exams?
23 May 2023
If you're a student in Sertia, it's more than likely that you've gotten your exam results today. While many students triumphantly advance to their next stage of education, there are those who haven't passed their exams for a multitude of reasons.
Ella Hebride, 17, is one of those students. Having received an offer of a place for an English degree from Dredthe University, she failed to pass her exams and receive the prestigious Eswara classification required for admission due to ongoing family issues.
When she spoke to us, Ella was dreadfully disappointed. "I had been studying a very long time for this, and when I opened the results, I was, quite frankly, distraught".
"There's no way, I thought to myself, there's no way that I've failed. This can't be possible. I've been studying and studying and I've made it through a hellish year, only to fail my exams".
Ella received this letter in the post (address altered):
Being on the brink of passing, and feeling confident in her abilities going into the exam, were two factors which contributed to her sadness and frustration.
So, if you're in Ella's situation, what options have you got?
1. Don't panic
Stress and anxiety are forms of panic, which is a natural response to fear stimuli in the environment. This includes bad exam results, which can cause panic. Before you open your results, take three deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
2. This is not the end
Just because you've failed to pass your exams does not mean you've failed your entire education. There are other qualifications available to you to reach the same place. Education expert Dirias Planser explains that "everyone learns differently, and there are qualifications out there fore all types of learners".
3. Results aren't everything
Just because you've failed your exams also doesn't mean that you'll never get a job. Some employers consider your results in school quite heavily. Other employers will hardly look at them. This should be an encouragement to present yourself well: everyone remembers a nice smiling face.
Jack Bernard, an recruiter for SNS, confirms this. "You can have the best qualifications in the book, but be a terrible person and so nobody hires you. Employers are looking for someone who can demonstrate their ability to work in teams, communicate effectively and be open to improvement".
Demonstrating interest can also be a deciding factor for some employers. "If a prospective employee shows that they will love their job and do it well, that's hardly grounds for rejection", Bernard says.
It's just a matter of looking in the right places that will help you to find your perfect match. Other options for careers include self-employment or vocational qualifications.
In short, don't despair. Anyway you go, you'll get there.