I can't face failing another exam :(

[ninilegsintheair]

I'd really appreciate a kick up the backside/comforting word/something for this as I'm really struggling.

Currently doing a professional qualification (NVQ 6 equiv) and am nearly 3 years into it. I have a stressful FT job, small DD, very unsupportive husband (who is part of the problem) and feel like I'm drowning in study books. The course was funded by my employer and there's a prospective promotion when my boss retires next year so there's a lot of pressure from work too.

Course consists of 4 modules - 3 exam based, 1 dissertation. Exam dates are only 1 every 6 months and there's too much material to realistically take more than 1 exam at a time. So far out of 4 exams I've only passed 1. The other 3 were failures (1 for each module). Every time I fail an exam I have to pay 150 out of my pocket for a retake, which is adding to my financial issues.

My next exam date is July and I should be well into studying for it now but I just can't face it. I can't even look at my books. I wasn't expecting to fail my last exam and unlike the others it's totally knocked my confidence.

The qualification is very well regarded in the industry and 'meant' to be hard, but I know of many others who started after me and have now finished despite juggling families and work. I don't know what's missing with me.

It doesn't help that I get very little actual time to study (about 2-3 hours every evening once DD goes to bed) and I feel like I'm floundering.

Help? How do I get back on track?

You could contact the awarding body and find a source of some revision tutorials face to face. I'm afraid it may cost money, but it will be money well spent if you find it's a question of exam technique, rather than understanding of the underlying material, which meant you failed the last module.

Do you have other higher level qualifications? do you have experience of this kind of study? that might be why others are finding this easier, if it's not their first time.

Hi beatofburden. There is a day of revision study I could go to, hadn't thought about that. It's some distance away (London) and other issues would be childcare (no family here) and the cost but if I can sort it that might be a good idea.

I have a degree (graduated 9 years ago) and the basic qualification for work (NVQ 3 equiv) plus GCSEs and A-levels so there's no real reason I shouldn't be passing. I don't think so anyway.

I think you need some mentoring and some face to face input. Go to your study day if you can, I think it would inspire and reassure you.

And see if you can get some feedback sorted on why you have failed stuff. If it's not a generic skills issue, you need some targeted advice.

Sadly its a distance learning course so no mentoring available (and my provider has proven to be pretty poor anyway). I've had a look at the study day since you suggested it so if I can get husband to pick up DD so I can go I will.

You can get feedback on the exam but you have to pay for it and its very vague. About as vague as useless really.

I'm so sick of studying.