Can anyone take my mind off this? Or any tips to calm down?

[ExamResultsPanic]

I’ve name changed for this as it’s so outing.

i’m a vet student. I’m autistic and I have ADHD, only diagnosed in the last few months. I sat exams a few weeks back and they didn’t go very well at all. Or at least that’s how it feels.

they’re important as if I pass I start my final year in clinics on Monday! If I fail I have a resit in a couple of weeks.

i HATE not knowing, having no control and not wanting to give myself any hope. I’ve never failed a module before, the pass rate is 50% and my worst grade was 56% so not crazy close to failing but this one feels worse (the last one was 3 years ago though). My most recent exams have been 70s and 80s.

i hate that I don’t know what’s happening next week and I can’t prepare and I feel like I’m spiralling. I feel like I’m trapped in a box that I can’t get out of and like something is tickling me from inside my chest. It is so unpleasant.

My heart rate is fine, my breathing is fine it’s not a really physical panic attack I just feel so uneasy and uncomfortable.

i get the results tomorrow whilst in a compulsory lecture at around 4.30 I think. I have never felt so unsure before and I’m so scared. How do I get through these next 21 hours or so?

I almost feel like since being diagnosed with autism last month I suffer more with things feeling out of control and the unknown. But I’ve never felt this sense of impending doom. If I wasn’t waiting for exam results I’d be worried I had sepsis!

Would it help to work logically through questions like?
• what is the worst that could happen?
• what is the realistic probability of that?
• has this happened before?
• if worst happens what is next step?

Write or speak it out with someone (not just racing thoughts)

distraction is my go to here - whatever form works.

Focus on the things you can be certain of - eg the amount of time before tomorrows lecture and break it into chunks so you can see a progression between now and then. Again write or draw this. Each chunk could be an activity - make dinner- have shower or it could be shows to watch or anything really.

is the thoughts of failing triggering bad feelings about yourself (rsd?) or is it more of an inconvenience?

I’ve felt like this before and found writing down plans for both outcomes helps me, almost like a flow chart. I’ve had to do it in the middle of the night before but it helps me feel more in control. Good luck!

I think it’s definitely triggering RSD :(
I feel like I should give up and not continue the course if I do fail despite being 5 years in.

i also hate that my whole timetable for the year will have to be re-arranged

I passed in the end. I somehow got results of 65-75 so I wasn’t even that close to failing.
I now feel ill prepared for next week! I’m a final year student I’m so shocked. Have the worst headache ever and I’m exhausted

Woooo!

Well done!

Well done. I was wondering whether it was a harder exam so grade boundaries moved etc...

Thank you!
yes @BlackeyedSusan they remove questions if less than 12% of the cohort achieves a pass grade so I imagine that may have happened here.

So lovely to hear this. I’m not surprised you have a headache. You owe yourself a big dose of tlc now 😉