Failed exam & spiraling

Hi there @Anyone4wks ,

If I was in your shoes, my first step would be to email the professor. If you're not in your best headspace, it might be worth getting somebody else to help you proof read the email. Perhaps a friend, fellow student or someone on here. Once you've contacted them, you've done everything you can to solve the problem right now. Once it's in their hands, you can take a moment to breathe.

Do something you normally enjoy, perhaps take a walk, do yoga, meditate, read, watch a movie, allow yourself to relax. It doesn't have to be anything exciting, in fact, something calm and almost boring might allow you to find some peace. If you're struggling, consider doing a breathing exercise (I like square breathing) or a body scan. If you struggle for a long time, reach out to your universities wellbeing/welfare department and ask if there's any support they can offer you.

Try not to give up. This may change the path of your life (it also may not, perhaps ask about resitting the exam?), but that doesn't mean you can't keep striving and achieving. It sounds like you're a hard worker, that usually gets good grades. Life is full of little opportunities, and I'm sure you'll be surprised by one soon. Changing your path, doing something different, is not giving up, being flexible and resilient to change is not giving up.

For now, focus on one step at a time. It's impossible to predict the future, so try to keep it out of your mind. Focus on what you can do, here and now. Perhaps there's an assignment or some revision you can throw yourself into for another class, or a project you've wanted to work on.

Keep doing, try not to spiral or "catastrophise" (worrying about the worst possible outcomes). I find when I'm anxious or stressed, I tend to let my life get messy. I stop tidying my room, wear my pyjamas for 3 days straight and eat junk food. If this feels like you - breaking the cycle is hard at first, but once you've done it, it feels great. Put on your favourite music, tidy your room (or just a small corner if that task feels too big) eat a nourishing meal, dress up in your favourite clothes - do your makeup if that's something you enjoy, open curtains (and windows if the climate allows). Your environment can really affect your mood, so try to make it as healthy as possible.

I hope this helps, this is just what I would do. Don't take my word as law - if something isn't working or helping, don't do it, everyone is different, try to find what works for you.

I wish you the best of luck, and I hope things start looking up soon.

ChaiTeaCups

P.S.

I know that it can feel like grades define you, especially when they're important to your future. You are not this one bad grade, you are a person, everyone struggles sometimes. You're worth so much more than just numbers on a piece of paper, keep going, I believe in you!