How do you handle failure on exams?

[encourageme]

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First year medical student here. I just wanted to know how others mentally handle failure on exams. With my exam grade, I am at-risk of failing the whole course. Just on here to receive some encouragement from others who have been in a similar situation. How do you psyche yourself up for the next exam when the situation seems a little dismal? I want to see light at the end of the tunnel....

 

[njbmd]

First year medical student here. I just wanted to know how others mentally handle failure on exams. With my exam grade, I am at-risk of failing the whole course. Just on here to receive some encouragement from others who have been in a similar situation. How do you psyche yourself up for the next exam when the situation seems a little dismal? I want to see light at the end of the tunnel....

The first person that you need to have a long and objective chat with is the Course Coordinator for the course that you are in danger of failing. Most of the time, making an appointment and going over your exams with the Course Coordinator can give you some insight into what you need to work on for the next exam so that you can pull yourself up.

The next thing that you want to check out is any Peer Tutoring services that your school may have. Peer tutors generally have great insight into the best methods of preparing for tests and courses. Utilize their services if they are available.

Finally, figure out what happens if you do fail the course. Generally, if it's one course, you can remediate it in the summer and keep moving forward. If you are in danger of failing out of medical school entirely, you may need to get some help from the Dean of Students. Often you can work something out so that you don't wind up having to withdraw from school.

Most medical students fail (or do poorly) in class because something (illness, family demands, stress, being overwhelmed) gets in the way of them being able to devote their full time and energy to what the course needs. If this is you (and likely it is), then you need to get some strategies for getting things under control.

Again, your Dean of Students is a good starting point because this person has many options/resources at their disposal. Some may be of great help to you but you won't know unless you ask.

Enlist the help of everyone that you can find. You are not paying all of that tuition money for nothing. Utilized every service that your school can make available to you even if it means meeting weekly with the Professor/Dean or anyone else who can help you. Not to ask for help when you need it does not show good judgment. Waiting until it is too late, makes getting the help that you need more difficult.

It's not that far into the semester so mobilize, organize and get what you need. If it takes failure on an exam for you to learn how to mobilize the resources that you need for success then that failure was a great learning experience.

Failing an exam (or even one course) is not that much of a deal as long as you take action and fight for your career. Don't beat up on yourself because there isn't much difference between you and the person who received honors on that exam. Take a deep breath and get busy because your future patients are going to need you and you can't stop here.

I was one of those Peer Tutors when I was a medical student and I was always amazed at how much information a person who failed an exam actually knew. I usually needed to help them organize that information and they were on their way. Get whatever help you need because I am sure that you don't need very much to turn this around.

 

[doctorFred]

I would reiterate meeting personally with the course coordinator. If you're borderline pass/fail, it doesn't hurt to look concerned, involved, and dedicated.

 

[Sartre79]

yup, start a "paper trail of effort" in case you have to go in front of the Advancement committee.

 

[PamIsHorny]

Peer tutors and MSII's that you know will be a great resource. It doesn't seem like you are in this position due to lack of trying. Perhaps working harder not smarter? I would guess that you need specific advice from people that were recently in that class. I have helped younger med students that seemed a little like you. One friend worked like crazy reading loads of pages in a textbook when everyone else was reading a concise book. The class was based largely on that smaller book. Somehow he didn't get the memo. He was too proud to talk to anyone at our school about his troubles. After failing the block, he was told which book to read. He did great when he repeated the section over the summer.

bottom line: find out what the preferred study plan is. Do this in all of your classes. Always find out the smarter way to get through classes and boards
PamIsHorny

 

[encourageme]

Thanks everyone for your very helpful post. I just wanted to update everyone on what I have done so far since reading your advice:
1) I have gotten serious with signing up for a tutor, my frst session is this saturday
2) I have started a paper trail showing my concern, although I must admit that I think the course director is not too fond of me, I sent an email about my concern and I have yet to get a response. I sent a follow-up email a few minutes ago. I also sent an email to two other professors.
3) I spoke with some peers about study techniques, some crash studied three days before the exam and did well (this technique is not for me). I am hearing rumors of old practice questions circulating (not quite sure how to get my hand on those). I guess I am still stumped on the studying technique. The majority I have asked said they studied "directly from the notes" and they are fine.

I am going to try and implement all of the advice that everyone has given on SDN and in my class and see where it takes me. Hopefully on the way to passing the block. However, If I am not successful in passing now, I do hope that through the efforts of leaving a "paper trail", I will be given the chance to remediate over the summer.

Thanks again everyone. You are awesome!

 

[KECKington]

Thanks everyone for your very helpful post. I just wanted to update everyone on what I have done so far since reading your advice:
1) I have gotten serious with signing up for a tutor, my frst session is this saturday
2) I have started a paper trail showing my concern, although I must admit that I think the course director is not too fond of me, I sent an email about my concern and I have yet to get a response. I sent a follow-up email a few minutes ago. I also sent an email to two other professors.
3) I spoke with some peers about study techniques, some crash studied three days before the exam and did well (this technique is not for me). I am hearing rumors of old practice questions circulating (not quite sure how to get my hand on those). I guess I am still stumped on the studying technique. The majority I have asked said they studied "directly from the notes" and they are fine.

I am going to try and implement all of the advice that everyone has given on SDN and in my class and see where it takes me. Hopefully on the way to passing the block. However, If I am not successful in passing now, I do hope that through the efforts of leaving a "paper trail", I will be given the chance to remediate over the summer.

Thanks again everyone. You are awesome!

Take that with a grain of salt. I doubt many study by cramming 3 days before a test. I usually cram about 2 weeks before the test and get in the 90's so everything you are told may not be true. Also the so called "notes" going around is probably true but you shouldnt rely on that. You are doing and making great steps towards a goal...keep with it. And G'luck on next weeks heme exam!

 

[Doctor J]

The advice given here so far is all very good.

One thing I would add is that you may not be studying, well, efficiently. Focus when studying, remove distractions, and set an end-point when you start (ie, I will study this material for 4 hours then go grab lunch).

Study efficiently and you will reap better grades in less time. Good luck. 👍

 

[TRAMD]

You will need to talk to the professor. Medical schools want you to succeed and you may be allowed to retake the exam. Just don't make a habit out of it or you could be held back or kicked out.

 

[45408]

Take that with a grain of salt. I doubt many study by cramming 3 days before a test. I usually cram about 2 weeks before the test and get in the 90's so everything you are told may not be true. Also the so called "notes" going around is probably true but you shouldnt rely on that. You are doing and making great steps towards a goal...keep with it. And G'luck on next weeks heme exam!

Some people will say they only studied for 3 days before the exam, but they'll neglect the fact that they attended every lecture, re-wrote all of their notes on a daily basis, made study charts, flashcards, and worksheets, and reviewed their notes on the weekends. But they didn't study until a few days in advance.

 

[encourageme]

You will need to talk to the professor. Medical schools want you to succeed and you may be allowed to retake the exam. Just don't make a habit out of it or you could be held back or kicked out.

Thanks so much for your advice everyone.
I had the chance to meet with the course director. I will have the chance to retake that particular exam (as part of remediation), if I do not end up with a passing average for the block. So, things to not seem so bleak afterall. I guess there is light at the end of the tunnel if I can kick **** on the next exam. I have also boosted up my study habits, I started studying with a second year, even though we go over different material, it's good to have that support. Well, gotta study.... Thanks again.

P.S.- I will take the whole 3 day studying before an exam thing with caution as you advised.

 

[vtucci]

Also, keep in mind that many of your classmates will have seen the material at least once before. We had one student in our class who had dissected 15 cadavers prior to medical school (he had a masters in anatomy). He did not have to show up to get a decent grade in the course.

Talking to faculty shows them that you are concerned about your performance and I do think it matters if your grade is borderline and they have any discretion in whether to pass you or not.

I hated first year. It was horrible and I did not have a great science background prior to first year. I also found it helpful to remind myself why I was in med school by shadowing in the emergency department and seeing clinical medicine in practice instead of some esoteric biochem principle or name of a branch of a nerve (which incidentally, I have long since forgotten). Hang in there- this too shall pass. Second year was much better and third year even more so. You may find that you excel in other areas.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Some people will say they only studied for 3 days before the exam, but they'll neglect the fact that they attended every lecture, re-wrote all of their notes on a daily basis, made study charts, flashcards, and worksheets, and reviewed their notes on the weekends. But they didn't study until a few days in advance.

Also, keep in mind that many of your classmates will have seen the material at least once before. We had one student in our class who had dissected 15 cadavers prior to medical school (he had a masters in anatomy). He did not have to show up to get a decent grade in the course.

Both of these are reasons why you shouldn't necessarily base what you need to do off what your classmates say they do. It's also possible that you might just learn differently than the typical medical student, which means you'll have to find your own path.

I'm glad you talked to the course director and have he remediation option. The others are right that documenting effort has to help you if things don't go the way you'd like.