How to keep motivated after exam failure?

 

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Have you ever failed any of your exams?

I have recently gained a qualification of ACCA and so far this has been my biggest educational achievement. But I have had multiple failures on the way and I would like to share with you my experiences and the way I have dealt with it.

We all have been to school and have done many years of studying whilst young, single, and carefree with very few responsibilities compared to those of adults’ life. If as an adult you take on some sort of studying, whether that’s a university, professional studies, or any adult courses you have to manage the time well to accommodate preparation for the exams or to do the coursework.

Studying being a mum/parent is on another level hard! We have so much to do around the house and kids, so many things to worry about and keep on top of, that it is a challenge to commit to studying while being a parent. If you also have a job it gets even harder.

But it’s not impossible and can be done and I have already written the article where I have included few tips on how to study with kids.

 

The stress level before the exam is unbearable…And the pressure builds up and you sit the exam and do your best in the time that’s allowed.

Few weeks later….

The day of results comes in.

In The UK the ACCA exam results are announced at midnight, so I never used to go to sleep awaiting the results. To me, it was even more stressful to receive the results than actually sitting the exam!

Related posts:

Reduce Exam Day Stress and be at Your Best Capacity- 10 tips

 

So when you get this kind of result:

A FAIL!

It can be a piece of devastating news!

It’s also so demotivating and discouraging as you have studied so hard, sacrificed so much, and yet you’ve missed the pass (quite often by only a few marks!).

It probably puts you in a financial loss as now you have to pay again, resist/ redo your exams/ assignments. This adds to another stress and possibly even makes you feel useless as people will be asking how did it go and you will have to admit to your failure.
I have only had 5 exams to sit during my ACCA professional qualification journey and failed 6 times before qualifying so I know the pain of failing well too well.

But you must remember:

It’s not how slow you’re moving, but the fact that you’re moving forward that matters!

As to the cost that comes with failure, I can understand that not everyone can afford to keep on failing as the exams can be very expensive but I count this as an investment in myself that will pay a big (hopefully) returns once completed.

The best investment you can make is an investment in yourself!

If you invest in yourself and succeed it will be much easier to invest in your kids once they need your support- also kids learn by example so most likely they will follow in your footsteps.

I must say that I wanted to give up after every failed exam and if it wasn’t for my husband who has been motivating me I would have definitely stopped at my first fail and regret forever. He was saying things to me like-

“It’s OK darling- you will get it right the next time! Keep going! You will get there eventually! Think of the great things that will come your way once you’re done with it!”.

 

 

So having a good support circle helps you keep going.

It also helps to have the essential tools to study.

I have once heard-

It’s not failing that counts, but how you pick yourself up and learn from it that matters!

I have never failed anything before started my journey on ACCA.

I have finished Uni in the UK’s University being a foreigner, never have written any assignment before or sat an exam in English- I have managed to achieve 1st class degree in Accounting and Finance having a baby at the time. It was not easy, but I was younger, braver, keen to learn and very determined!

I have also passed my theory and practical driving test in my first attempt.

Therefore failing my first ACCA exam did not come easy and felt like a big slap on a cheek.
But perseverance, determination, and the above-mentioned support from my husband did help and I have finally got there. And if I got there –You can too!

Don’t let the failure define you and prove the world that you can do it and think about the opportunities that will come your way once you have completed the studies. This relates not only to studies but also many other aspects of your life, whether that’s a weight loss (click here to read about it), or any other goals you are trying to achieve.

Please let me know if you need any help managing those failures and I am happy to advise/help with your particular situation.

I hope you have enjoyed this post and please share it around!

Keep going!

Thank you