I failed a class and now have to take a makeup at the end of the summer. Here's my problem: I will be absolutely humiliated if another student knows I failed. How do I handle this situation? I know that the world will keep spinning and that, barring a freak accident, I will continue to exist no matter who knows I took this exam, but I feel like my world will end. It's causing me an enormous amount of anxiety and I've been on the verge of tears multiple times (including now) about this. I feel totally overwhelmed and if I had another career plan, I'd drop out of medical school this second. I might be the only student there, but who knows? What do I do?
Privacy issue for taking makeup exam?
- Thread starter GGVV
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I think its time for you to talk to a mental health professional .
ASAP
ASAP
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I'm sorry to say that I don't think there's anyway to keep it absolutely private. There's a hundred little ways someone can find out, they might have failed too and end up sitting the makeup with you for example. I think the best thing to do is take control of the situation and break the news yourself. Tell a friend or a family member and get the load off your mind or else you'll spend the rest of the summer worrying somebody will find out and not studying. You don't want to get so stressed out that you mess up the makeup exam.
BTW: You really should talk to somebody, even if you don't tell them about the makeup.
BTW: You really should talk to somebody, even if you don't tell them about the makeup.
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What are your next steps regarding remediation? At my school, here's how it works:
The class receives an email notice that grades are available online. Included are instructions of what to do if you didn't pass any part of the exams.
Students who didn't pass are required to meet with one of the deans within a week to formulate a remediation plan.
The class representative for the committee on student promotions sends an email to the entire class offering to connect those people who haven't passed- only the CSP rep and those who email her and give her permission to pass on their info will find out. This gives those who didn't pass an opportunity to form a study group, or just vent, or whatever. It's completely optional.
During remediation week, yes, the students may run into each other as they're picking up or dropping off tests. Unavoidable. However, it's part of our honor code to not talk about it outside of that small group. On some level, it's kind of like AA: you could tell people you saw So-and-So there, but then they may ask what you were doing there. So people just keep it to themselves. Also, we have to sign a sheet when we turn ours in, and they use our student numbers, not our names- so if you are able to avoid seeing people, they wouldn't find out from that.
BTW, it's not all that uncommon to fail a test in medical school- your Med Ed office will most likely work with you to move you in the direction you wan to go. They've invested a lot, obviously thought you were capable of doing this, and want to see you succeed. They may also be able to direct you to someone to talk with regarding your anxiety and career goals.
The class receives an email notice that grades are available online. Included are instructions of what to do if you didn't pass any part of the exams.
Students who didn't pass are required to meet with one of the deans within a week to formulate a remediation plan.
The class representative for the committee on student promotions sends an email to the entire class offering to connect those people who haven't passed- only the CSP rep and those who email her and give her permission to pass on their info will find out. This gives those who didn't pass an opportunity to form a study group, or just vent, or whatever. It's completely optional.
During remediation week, yes, the students may run into each other as they're picking up or dropping off tests. Unavoidable. However, it's part of our honor code to not talk about it outside of that small group. On some level, it's kind of like AA: you could tell people you saw So-and-So there, but then they may ask what you were doing there. So people just keep it to themselves. Also, we have to sign a sheet when we turn ours in, and they use our student numbers, not our names- so if you are able to avoid seeing people, they wouldn't find out from that.
BTW, it's not all that uncommon to fail a test in medical school- your Med Ed office will most likely work with you to move you in the direction you wan to go. They've invested a lot, obviously thought you were capable of doing this, and want to see you succeed. They may also be able to direct you to someone to talk with regarding your anxiety and career goals.
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His/her problems are a little bit deeper than the ability to study.
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I agree, but the OP just needs to go take the test and get over it rather than freaking out over something so insignificant like others finding out he/she is in remediation. People fail all the time in life but those who succeed just get up and keep trying. To me, it seems the OP is just worried about what others are going to perceive them as... and quite honestly I doubt no one cares. There's been plenty of times people have failed tests in undergrad and I never labeled them as "the kid that failed" or treated them any differently.
OP, just be proud of yourself for making it this far. A little remediation is not going to hurt you nor will anyone care. Everyone in your med school is going to go their separate ways in a couple years and no one will remember that you failed a class. I know plenty of people who would love to be in your shoes (as a medical student that is) so appreciate the gift you've been given and do what it takes to pass. You really need to get counseling if the thought of someone seeing you take a remediation exam makes you wish a "freak accident" would occur. If anything, try to be more assertive and recognize your flaws... I guarantee you'll live life in a much happier state of mind.
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in my situation it was unavoidable. there were just too many of us, and during the exam there simply wasn't an option to do it alone.
it doesn't matter who sees you or who knows. people gossip no matter what and have crazy ideas about each others' abilities. what matters is that you pass and put it behind you.
when you get to second year and you're still there, knowing you worked hard and learned what you didn't learn the first time, is more important than not doing it the first time.
get all the help you need and don't be afraid to ask because you are more afraid of someone finding out than doing well. just focus on doing well.
it doesn't matter who sees you or who knows. people gossip no matter what and have crazy ideas about each others' abilities. what matters is that you pass and put it behind you.
when you get to second year and you're still there, knowing you worked hard and learned what you didn't learn the first time, is more important than not doing it the first time.
get all the help you need and don't be afraid to ask because you are more afraid of someone finding out than doing well. just focus on doing well.
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I agree, but the OP just needs to go take the test and get over it rather than freaking out over something so insignificant like others finding out he/she is in remediation. People fail all the time in life but those who succeed just get up and keep trying. To me, it seems the OP is just worried about what others are going to perceive them as... and quite honestly I doubt no one cares. There's been plenty of times people have failed tests in undergrad and I never labeled them as "the kid that failed" or treated them any differently.
OP, just be proud of yourself for making it this far. A little remediation is not going to hurt you nor will anyone care. Everyone in your med school is going to go their separate ways in a couple years and no one will remember that you failed a class. I know plenty of people who would love to be in your shoes (as a medical student that is) so appreciate the gift you've been given and do what it takes to pass. You really need to get counseling if the thought of someone seeing you take a remediation exam makes you wish a "freak accident" would occur. If anything, try to be more assertive and recognize your flaws... I guarantee you'll live life in a much happier state of mind.
I agree with you however i am worried that the OP claims to often "wish for a freak accident".
I always err on the side of caution when people start talking like this
Try not to be so hard on yourself. Like everything in life, sometimes you fall a little bit! Screw what everyone else thinks, everyone's situation is different and sometimes re-mediations happen. As bad as you may be feeling right now, in the long run re-writing a test is no big deal... P=MD, right? Try to focus on the positives: if you failed the first exam you probably didn't have a great grasp on it, so you are now taking the steps to learn the material better (which will definitely help down the line). Exams aren't there to make you feel bad about yourself, they are there to help make sure that you are prepared for a career in medicine. Hold your head high and be proud that you are going to pick yourself up and go destroy that remed. test! Life is not about being perfect, but about picking yourself up when you fall and learning from your mistakes. Reflect and try to improve upon your weaknesses, but cherish your strengths! Failure is a part of medicine and life as a whole, its how you deal with it that counts!
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During medical practice we will all see our "failures", misdiagnoses, wrong treatments, misses and near misses.
There is no "perfection" in even what appears to be the most stellar career.
What makes a great physician is a dose of humility, and a sincere drive to do his/her best next time around.
You did not "fail" , but have been given the opportunity to improve your grasp of the material.
Even as a specialist there are areas of knowledge in my specialty where I will always feel very uncomfortable, and have to revisit it on a constant basis. This does not make me a failure, but it proves I am only human.
If you see yourself as a conscientious physician, no one will ever be able to make you feel as a failure. Ace that test and trhen take pride in your achievement.
In my father's medical class, the weakest student worked hard and became a world reknown physician, and Chief of a prestigious medical department.
There is no "perfection" in even what appears to be the most stellar career.
What makes a great physician is a dose of humility, and a sincere drive to do his/her best next time around.
You did not "fail" , but have been given the opportunity to improve your grasp of the material.
Even as a specialist there are areas of knowledge in my specialty where I will always feel very uncomfortable, and have to revisit it on a constant basis. This does not make me a failure, but it proves I am only human.
If you see yourself as a conscientious physician, no one will ever be able to make you feel as a failure. Ace that test and trhen take pride in your achievement.
In my father's medical class, the weakest student worked hard and became a world reknown physician, and Chief of a prestigious medical department.
Thanks for all of your posts. For the few who commented on my ... uh, dramatic ... statement, that was a total mistake. I was just super-upset and should never have said that. This whole situation has just caused an enormous amount of anxiety, but I'll try to deal with it the best I know how. Thanks again
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Glad to hear that.
Take a moment to re-read some of the helpful and encouraging posts that others have posted above.
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Everyone has their strong and weak points. I'm sure most ppl aren't great at everything.I'm sure there's a subject that you probably scored higher than them in. Who really cares if someone finds out that you're doing what needs to be done in order for you to be one step closer to becoming a doctor? Worry about your test b/c in 10 yrs, you probably won't remember the person's name who saw you.
The worst part about fear of being "found out" is continuing to think that anything less than perfection is horribly embarrassing. TONS of people fail a test in med school and go on to lead perfectly wonderful lives with successful medical careers. People fail boards, and even entire years. My recommendation is to start telling people about it, and try to laugh at yourself. Make it into a joke you are on the inside of. The people who love you will gladly help you make light of it, and the people who don't probably won't even notice. They might just assume you were sick for the original exam. This time around you will study harder and you will know that info even better than some of your peers in the long run. Just by getting this far, you are far more successful than most people in our age group. If you are anxious about how this blip will affect your academic future, go talk to your dean or another faculty advisor. They will help you put it in perspective.
Good luck!
Good luck!
