We recognise that failing an exam can be discouraging and difcult. However, keep in mind that failure does not necessarily mean doom but rather gives an opportunity for growth and transformation. In this post, we’ll examine different solutions to help you get through current struggles and pave the path for future success as well as sharing our top study tips to ensure success!
What to Do After Failing an Exam
Reflect and take some time for yourself
Give yourself some time to sit back and relax, exams can be very stressful and it can be quite overwhelming if you don’t get your desired result. Take some time to process the result and try to turn some of the negatives into positives. Almost everyone has been or is in the same boat as you so try not to beat yourself up over it. Try participating in some outside activities or hobbies to distract yourself and better your mood so you can refocus and smash the next set of exams.
Analyse and find out what went wrong
Consider what went wrong and the reasons you didn’t get the intended result. Was it a result of poor preparation, bad study techniques, or outside influences? Simply make some notes or ask your teachers and mentors for help as they may be able to give you some insight into class performance or weaknesses displayed within the classroom. From this, you can develop a strategy to deal with these problems to help you in the future.
Seek guidance
Speak with your teachers, peers, or academic advisers for advice and assistance. They may provide insightful suggestions, alternate study methods, or suggestions for extra resources that can help you do better. Remember, your teachers and peers are there to help you not judge you. Some schools provide extra lessons or monitored study groups to allow you focus and learn everything you need to pass the next exam.
Take a look at other options available:
1. Independent college:
If you failed an exam, an independent institution might provide you with a new beginning. These organisations have a reputation for their welcoming and inclusive traditions where you may put your disappointment behind you and start again. Independent colleges provide a caring environment that is attentive to your difculties and can give the assistance and direction required to restore your self-esteem and realise your full academic potential. Many students who have failed their exams prefer to take the independent college route as you are surrounded by people in the same situation as you and it feels less intimidating.
Independent colleges are specialists in providing personalised academic help to meet your specifc needs. Since they are aware that every student learns in a unique way, they provide individualised guidance, smaller classes, and staff members who are passionate about your success. To add to this, they also provide fexible learning options. They offer a variety of courses, alternative study paths, and fexible schedules to adapt to your specifc needs. This allows you to balance learning with other commitments.
2. Looking at online courses and workshops:
These websites include a broad selection of topics and study guides that are designed for specific examinations. They provide well-organised learning spaces, professional advice, and engaging tools to improve your understanding and test performance.Online courses and workshops also provide you the chance to review difficult ideas, test your knowledge with practice exams, and keep track of your development. Additionally, these courses and workshops can benefit you in the future if you decide to take further education in the subject.
3. School support services:
Don’t forget to explore the various support services offered by your school! Educational institutions often provide resources and assistance to help students recover from exam failure and improve their school performance. There may be a range of options available such as tutoring programs, academic counselling, study workshops, after school study clubs, and also offering a variety of different resources to help assist you when it comes to revising and getting ready for upcoming exams.
With school support services, you are joined by a variety of students who are in the exact same situation as you and therefore you can accompany each other with helping each other revise and share different resources, additionally it’s a great way to make friends and share your exam experiences!
Set Clear Goals and Create a Study Plan
Establish clear objectives for your upcoming tests and design a workable study schedule. Use efficient study methods including active recall, spaced repetition, and practice questions. Break your studies into manageable chunks however allow enough time for each topic as well as allowing breaks in between. To keep track of time and productivity, list some topics and things you are going to do during the study time and tick them off as you go, additionally you can colour code them red, amber and green depending on how confident you were completing the task or how difficult it was. That way you know exactly what topics and tasks you have covered and what you need to revisit ensuring you complete everything and you are satisfied with how well you know each topic.
Understand your learning style:
There are 4 main types of learning styles, by understanding your preferred learning style you can utilise your revision time and get the most out of it.
Visual learners:
Charts, graphs, diagrams, and other visual aids like pictures are preferred learning tools for visual learners. They are quite good at visualising information and remembering it that way. To improve their comprehension and memory of the content, these students benefit from the use of colour-coding, mind mapping, and imagery.
Auditory Learners:
For those who learn more effectively through sound and spoken communication, we call them auditory learners. Instead of depending entirely on visual aids, they prefer to listen to lectures, conversations, and explanations. These students gain by taking part in group discussions, repeating knowledge aloud, and using mnemonic techniques to help them retain information.
Read/Write Learners:
Read/write learners have a preference for written material. They often are excellent note-takers and are good at summarising key points. For the purpose of reinforcing their understanding, these students benefit from organising and rewriting their notes, making flashcards, and working on written exercises and tasks.
Kinesthetic learners learn best through hands-on experiences and physical activities. Instead than only reading or hearing, they would rather learn by doing. Active learning techniques that incorporate movement, touch, and engagement are beneficial to them.
Kinesthetic learners are able to understand and recall knowledge better because they are physically engaged in the learning process.
Learn from Mistakes and adopt a growth mindset
Finally, failure on an exam may seem like a setback, but it is also a chance for development and advancement. Embrace the learning opportunities that come with failure and modify your study techniques accordingly. Remember, failure is not the end; rather, it is a step in the right direction and there are many different options available to you.
