Most teenagers would agree that upon receiving that eventful message with their results, their heart skipped a beat. For a second, the world around you stops. The culmination of everything you have been working for boils down to numbers and digits which in turn, determine your schedule for the rest of your summer and your future prospects. So how do you deal with a disappointing result?
Reading your results and processing what they mean can make you go through a whirlwind of emotions – from sadness to guilt, shame and even anger. While this is all part of the process, always remember to be kind to yourself. Maybe you feel you could have studied more or that you should have done some extra work, whatever it is, remember that you are not alone and that a lot of people have been where you are right now. Don’t panic and keep in mind that there is always something that you can do.
Having a plan of action can help you move on and pave your future, rather than staying stuck in the fact that you didn’t get the grade you wanted. Sometimes a resit exam can set you back on track, however, even if this is not the case, taking a gap year can also be an option. Whatever you decide, always remember that exam results do not define you or your success in life. While the education system is one way how to succeed and work towards your goals, a lot of successful people were rejected or dropped out of school and still succeeded in their goals (it’s true, look it up!).
Additionally, it could be helpful to understand what happened and why you could have obtained that disappointing result in the first place. Did it happen because you didn’t dedicate enough time? Or do you need more effective study techniques? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Understanding how this happened will give you the necessary insight to change your outcome next time round. If you are struggling to understand this, you can always seek the help and support of a tutor or mentor.
Another idea that can be supportive to you is forming a peer study group. Studying with your peers can be a powerful way to boost your learning experience while also keeping it fun. In the end, a failure isn’t a person who tries and fails, but someone who never tries at all.
