Five feelings of failure
Ever received a mark back that wasn’t expected or was just down right ridiculous? Guaranteed you had these thoughts while reading the ‘constructive’ criticism.
You have just received an essay result which is beyond disappointing. These are the emotions you will now be feeling.
Denial
This is not my mark. It can’t be. I have never failed an essay in my life. Even stupid Kevin has beaten me and he doesn’t know the difference from his left and right!
This just simply is not my work. The tutor has just given me someone else’s mark.
Oh wait, yeah, I did use a Game of Thrones quote. Must be mine then. Shit.
Blame
It’s not my fault I failed anyway. It was the tutor – he never taught us anything, didn’t explain the marking criteria and he’s totally crap!
It’s my parents fault – they may be hundreds of miles away and read over my essay a couple of times but it just wasn’t enough.
It’s my housemates fault – if they weren’t so much fun and asked if I wanted to go out I would have stayed in and put so much more effort into my research for my essay.
Acceptance
Now that I’m reading the comments it makes a bit more sense. Those mistakes are actually true. Maybe I didn’t spend as much time as I should have done and quoting Game of Thrones was a bit of a rookie error.
Oh well, I suppose I’ll try harder next time.
Depression
That’s it I can’t do this anymore. I am dropping out of uni. I never liked the place, it costs too much and I’m better off without a degree anyway!
I’m becoming a Buddhist who lives on an Indian beach who makes no money but creates peace. If not that I am moving to Amsterdam and becoming a dealing lady-of-the-night.
The slap in the face
So maybe I am overreacting. I don’t need to leave uni just because of one or two bad marks! Maybe I’ll just go to India and Amsterdam on holiday when I get my degree and have a job.
One bad essay isn’t going to define my entire degree. I just have to work really hard now and bring myself back on track.
Or if that doesn’t work out, I can just panic all over again!