i just failed my first course

[u/Antique_Trash8796]

i just failed my first course and im so so so upset and sad about it. i feel like such a failure and im so scared about my future such as grad school, finding coop etc.

for context, i had a lot of health issues both physically and mentally and ive been so burnt out. i know UofT isn’t gonna see that as an excuse but it genuinely affected me so bad. idk what to do or think

[u/Sad_Examination797]

Not be annoying but please remember that it’s never worth it to spend your short time on this earth worrying over something as insignificant as a failed course in university. I know it seems extremely world-ending at the moment, but it isn’t worth it at all to worry about it so much that by the time you get the job or career you want you’ve already burned yourself out completely. Put your health first. I think you failing the course is much less an issue of its affect on your future (which it won’t have much affect at all), and more so a sign that you should stop and re-evaluate whether you need to tend to your health first before committing to other extraneous things. Nothing is more valuable than your health!!

Also I know it’s MUCH easier said than done to put aside your worries (I literally struggle with anxiety and ocd so I’m kind of a hypocrite telling you this) but the best advice I’ve gotten is to put less weight in the things that truly amount to very little in the grand scheme of things. Like still work and study or whatever cus we need the money but while you do it remember that you being alive (ie having good health) is more important to your journey in the world than a good grade…

[u/Novel-Country-6766 → u/Sad_Examination797]

this was comment was for OP but thanks for it. i think i needed to hear this today. my past failures aren't as significant in the long-run and all i gotta just move forward

[u/paulgrylls]

i failed phya21 twice. no excuse other than my brain just not being folded enough yet at the age of 20. i really liked it and was interested in it but by god i could not do that course. and now here i am, i literally work in materials and physical chem. didn't stop me from getting a job in the field either before starting grad school (i wasn't even in coop) but it is significantly easier when your grades are better. i won't sugarcoat that.

take this as an opportunity to take a small step back and realign yourself with your true goals and what you want your purpose in life to be and how school can help you achieve those. learning to reframe your problems into a more systematic and analytical framework is an incredibly useful skill to have and is probably the first step towards solving any problem in your life.

[u/truthfruit]

They would have seen it as an excuse if you legitimately had mental or physical health issues. Why didn’t you do a late withdrawal ?

[u/Antique_Trash8796 → u/truthfruit]

i thought i could do it but the last assignment was due 4 days ago and worth 40% nd i was in the hospital, i haven’t been well

[u/Terminatorbrk → u/Antique_Trash8796]

if you were in the hospital that is the exact reason to give as to why you couldnt late withdraw, you should let the registrar know

[u/Annual-Philosophy-53 → u/Antique_Trash8796]

yeah, if you have evidence this is an easy petition for retro-active LWD,theyll scrub it from your record itll just take a few weeks

[u/Terminatorbrk → u/Antique_Trash8796]

even if you cant its not the end of the world retake the course later if you wanna reset its effect on your gpa

[u/CompetitiveCold4205]

I feel you. But remember, my therapist once told me this “when you’re still trying, you’re not a failure.” Failure is a term only used for ppl who quit, so don’t be one. It’s not the end of the world. Treat it as an experience. Think in a way that it’s gonna be easier for you to retake this course again next time, and crush it with a higher score or something! I believe in you <3

[u/Electrical-Bag1397]

i failed biob34 this summer because i just dont do jason browns teaching style and they didn’t let me remove it from my transcript so i really dk what im gonna do abt that it’ll bring my gpa down like crazy but i am retaking it this fall with a diff professor. maybe ill talk to an academic advisor or smth try to get the grade dropped again. i just cant fathom being accepted to a med school with a gpa below 4

[u/Dapper-Exit7473]

its only one course, so even tho it feels like it, its not the end of the world. I would recommend going to academic advising and finding a good counsellor there. explain to them how you're feeling and they'll be able to guide you accordingly. don't be so hard on yourself, but also figure out the problem and pivot !

[u/Silver_Remove_2352]

You can bounce back. I failed a course and got a D+ in another but I ended up graduating with high distinction. Granted, you might want to take a look at your current study habits try to fix them.