I simultaneously want to freeze time and fast forward - Awaiting Exam Results

[AnxiouslyWait]

Anxiously awaiting exam results that are released at 3.30pm. These results determine whether I am a vet or not. To be honest I am worried I’ve failed the equine module as I panicked in the exam. It was the final one that wrapped up 5 years and I just lost my cool.

I have been a nervous wreck for the last week, vomiting, not sleeping. I’m so worried I’ve failed and won’t be able to graduate, won’t be able to start my job etc.

Everyone keeps asking me to let them know when I get my results. So many vets I’ve done placements with have whatsapped me asking when I’ll find out. They’re all so sure I’ll have passed but the exams just caught me off guard.

I will feel so ashamed and anxious if I’ve failed, like I’d be letting everyone down even though I know it doesn’t affect them. How do I get through the next 14 hours?

I want to know but I also don’t because if I’ve failed I’ll have to get straight back into revision. Exams finished 3 weeks ago and I’ve spent the whole time worrying. Everyone will know I’ve failed as I won’t be at graduation. I’ve never failed an exam before but I feel like this time I have.

Any words of wisdom? It feels like the clock has stopped

There is a technique called catch and hold. Basically you accept you are feeling super stressed and anxious because you are worried you have failed your exam but you know this feeling will pass once you get your results ( because either way you have a path ahead of you)
You don't try and push the anxiety away you accept it as a temporary thing and while feeling it find other distracting things to do.

Good luck 🍀 OP.

I love that technique! Good luck Op! I understand the feelings completely! All these emotions and added pressure because people are asking! Best of luck to you!

Best of luck op. Some excellent advice above.
Distract yourself if you can, maybe a long walk?
Everyone will understand if you have not passed, I'm sure they will support you 100% no matter what as you move forward.

Thank you so much! I somehow slept reasonably well. I was quite shocked when I woke up and it was 7.30. I’m hoping I can get through the next 7 and a half hours.

If I’ve passed I have 3 months off which I doubt I’ll ever have again. If I’ve failed.. well, I’ve got exams through the summer.

So either way you have a plan. Just try and think that whichever it is it will be okay in the end. I hope the day passes quickly for you so that you can move on

Whatever happens, you will be fine and you have people around you supporting you. It's a pressure, yes, that people want to know how you've done - but at the same time, they're cheering you on! So no matter what the numbers say, you've done well in this regard. That's a great result. And in the long run, the most important.

That’s true!
I just know I’ll be a wreck if I have to resit as if I fail those I’m out! Half a decade a uni, countless hours of placement, blood, sweat and tears and nothing to show for it. it’s likely to be equine too, which is an area I don’t plan to work in, but we must be omnicompetent no matter what

what's the process for if you don't pass?
Being aware of that will help you to process a plan b if plan a doesn't come off. Hopefully you won't need it! Good luck!

The process would be to sit all components of the module(s) I failed in the summer. Results would then be September (when I’m due to start work!) and graduation December but I can join the register before I graduate so could work from mid-late September.

Oh and I’d have to contact my job and ask if they’d wait for me.

The very best of luck OP. To go off at a tangent Im grateful for your post - Im in the throes of University marking at the moment and having a bit of a moan to myself so it’s good to be reminded what exams mean to the students

Rooting for you OP, really hope it’s the result you deserve .

Thank you @Blackcatsalwaysrock I hope the marking isn’t too bad and I hope your students get the results they’re happy with

Thank you! @Gonegrey31

I just hate that it all comes down to these exams. I had all my skills like cat spay, cannulation, consulting ability signed off throughout final year but the deciding factor for whether I am a vet or not is whether I chose the correct answer in a single exam.

I’m autistic so some of the multiple choice questions asking for the best answers whilst giving next to 0 context (I.e owner finances, pet age, other conditions, current mediation) I find so difficult. In reality I will never be asked “How do you treat X?” with no more information ever again

With online exams right now I have had experience of the number of people (masters) who failed to submit on time (Ie 1 min late) or uploaded the previous day exam in one case. All had to resit next session.

So technical issues mean many people now resit.

Just saying it to sort of say that there is no shame of having to resist if it happens. I knew if my exam was submitted okay I'd passed but had a week I'd pre results panic about whether I'd actually submitted okay.

So good luck! The waiting is the worse bit, luckily most of mine were 9am releases or random days so no chance to work up too much nervous tension.

Well, it might not be a single exam because I could’ve failed multiple components/modules but I suppose then it would feel justified. I do want to be a safe vet more than I want to just be a vet.

But then it might be equine that’s the deciding factor and I’ll never touch a horse again in a medical context. Birds and small furries are more my thing!

Oh wow! @burnoutbabe That would be so upsetting. Ours are all in person as they have to be to satisfy the royal college.

My results are always late in the date. Last year they were even later and I was convinced I’d failed then too. I found out about 5pm on Friday and started in clinics in Monday as I passed.
I had to fly around buying all the equipment I needed as I was just so convinced I’d failed so hadn’t prepared as I didn’t want to get my hopes up.

Ah that's better!

I had to do a proctored exam Monday -watched for 3 hours! That was not fun. I'd prefer in person (though I do like being able to type over hand writing)

We did have one online but that was a professionalism one exploring different scenarios. It was over teams and I would’ve preferred that in person but I understand with scheduling online makes total sense

Time is passing so slowly

It will do OP.
Is there any physical you can do, walking, swimming, biking?

I have a young puppy who’s not fully vaccinated yet otherwise I’d be out walking miles and miles! I carried him out this morning when it was cool but it’s too hot at the minute. He took my mind off things this morning but now everything is quiet.

He’s napping and will likely sleep until 1.30/2 so I just have to amuse myself somehow. The idea was we’d have 3 months to settle him before he comes to work/stays with my parents but the alternative may be resits and a tiny puppy. I waited 5 years for him though and he’s definitely helped the last couple of days. He will likely be a welcomed distraction. @lakesummer

He sounds super cute, what kind of dog is he?

He’s a golden @lakesummer and is still asleep! Just when I need a distraction