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The exam

Did the exam not go as planned? How to move on

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As a STEM student, you are probably used to dealing with high expectations. Perhaps the highest come from yourself? Therefore, an exam that did not go as expected can be a tough pill to swallow. But how do you handle the disappointment so it does not affect you too much?

Table of contents

How to put the exam behind you
Good advice for handling disappointment and regaining motivation
Learn from the experience

How to put the exam behind you

The very first step is to allow yourself to feel the disappointment. It is natural to be upset when something important does not go as you expected. The disappointment can be a reaction to your effort, the expectations you have set for yourself, or the fear of how a bad grade might affect your future opportunities.

By acknowledging the feeling of disappointment, you create an opportunity to move on rather than stagnate. Especially in the early days of your studies, you should not be too hard on yourself after a bad exam experience

If it is at the beginning of your studies, you also need to get to know the academic world and the criteria they assess during exams, says Emilie Lindquist, career advisor at IDA, and emphasizes that most students will experience disappointment during their studies.

Emilie Lindquist, Career Advisor at IDA

How to get the most out of exam guidance

Fact box

9 good tips for handling disappointment and regaining motivation

1. Accept your feelings

Give yourself time to accept and process these feelings without judging yourself. Negative thoughts can be overwhelming right after a disappointment, but it often helps to articulate them or talk to someone you trust.

2. Reflect objectively on the exam

When you are ready, try to reflect on what went wrong. Ask yourself if there were specific topics or strategies you could have approached differently, or if there was something about the exam situation that challenged you. This way, you can gain insights that may be useful next time.

3. Learn from feedback

If possible, get feedback from your teacher or examiner. They can often point out specific areas where you can improve or give advice for the next time you are in a similar exam situation.

4. Avoid beating yourself up

Remember that one exam does not define your worth or abilities. Everyone can have a bad day, and even the most successful students have had exams that did not go as expected.

5. Make a new plan

Set some concrete goals for how you will work towards the next exam or semester. This could involve changing your study techniques, planning more time for certain subjects, or practising the exam situation. This can give you a sense of control and direction.

6. Seek support from friends and mentors

Talking to others who have had similar experiences can be very encouraging. Friends, classmates, or a mentor can help you see the situation in a new light and provide support to move forward.

7. Consider alternative study strategies

You might benefit from studying in a new way, spending more time on revision, taking notes differently, or focusing more on exam practice.

8. Focus on progress rather than perfection

Set small, achievable goals so you can see your progress along the way. Even small steps in the right direction are valuable, and it is more motivating to focus on progress rather than striving for a perfect performance every time.

9. Remind yourself that it is a learning process

Your time as a student is a period where you learn and develop – both academically and personally. Handling challenges like a disappointing exam is part of this process, and you will likely come out stronger with new skills and a better understanding of yourself. Every mistake is an opportunity for new learning.

10 tips for your exam preparation

Learn from the experience

Every exam that does not go as expected is an opportunity to learn something new, both academically and personally. Start by analysing what went wrong: Was it time management during the exam, misunderstandings in the syllabus, or something as simple as nervousness?

Many universities offer the opportunity to review the exam, where you can go through your answers with a teacher. Take advantage of this chance to identify your strengths and weaknesses. It is not about finding faults in yourself, but about discovering where you can improve. This is also something you can benefit from in other areas of life.

After a disappointment, you have certainly gained some life lessons in realizing that it was not actually that bad. You have survived. And I would say that if you go through life without failing, then something is wrong. It is important to try things out and find out that they did not work, points out Emilie Lindquist.

Emilie Lindquist, Career Advisor at IDA

A single exam does not define your overall ability as a student. Many technical courses are built around continuous improvement and the acquisition of complex skills. Therefore, it is important to see the disappointing exam as a snapshot and not as a definitive assessment of what you can do.

Good luck with handling the disappointment, and good luck with your next exam.

The best way to prepare for an exam

We hope you have gained a slightly different perspective on taking exams. There are certainly positive things you can take away from an unsatisfactory exam. Below you will find related content about exams in higher education.

Stay calm during exams

Learn to identify and understand your nervous system’s reactions during exams. Learn techniques to calm yourself and reduce your exam stress. Danish courses are with English subtitles.

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Make the most of all your membership benefits at IDA

As a student member of IDA, you always have the opportunity to talk to our professional career counselling. They can connect you with the help you need, as well as provide feedback on your future career dreams.

You can also see and participate in one or more of our social and professional events – a good student life is about balancing it.

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