I failed a unit

Dear Counselling,

I'm a first year student and there was barely a day where I actually enjoyed my time at uni. I found it really hard to manage my time and study for all my units. I failed one unit and ever since I got my results I’ve felt depressed and I haven’t told anyone about it. I'm starting to hate uni this session and I’m afraid of failing again. I really love my course, but it's not as what I expected - it's a lot harder than I thought it would be. I need your advice to help me think less negatively about the unit that I failed and the fact that I have to repeat it. There is lots of stuff going through my mind and it's all depressing me. - Anonymous

I am sorry to hear that things have become difficult for you and that you’re feeling down about university. You’re in a hard position – you love the course you are in, but it’s hard and you’re worried about failing. It’s important you know you’re not alone with these worries. The transition to uni can be tricky and starting a new session after you’ve failed a unit can be really overwhelming.

I want to encourage you to hang in with your studies because the reasons you decided to come to uni are important. It’s not hopeless and there are some things you can do to help manage everything better. Try not to torture yourself over what went wrong last session, focus on what you want to do differently this time to help you pass your units.

Working out a study routine can make a big difference. Using tools like the session planner [PDF, 94Kb] (opens in a new window) and weekly planner [PDF, 88Kb] (opens in a new window) can help you to manage your time better. You can also book a time with the Counselling Service for more help on how to plan and organise your work.

I’d also recommend the free workshops on offer. They’re designed to teach you the skills you need to excel in your studies. Workshop topics include essay writing, critical analysis, presentations, exam preparation and stress and time management. Detailed information and the full list of workshops are available on the skills workshops webpage.

Another option to consider is reducing the number of units you are studying this session. A lighter load will allow you to have more time for each unit. You should talk to your Academic Course Advisor about this. If you want to reduce your study load, you’ll need to do so by the session census date [link]. If you withdraw from any units after the census date, there are financial and academic penalties.

I’d like to encourage you to book a time with a counsellor so that we can help you reach your goals.

(This question and answer is a part of eCounselling. If you have a question please submit it online. Please note this is not a good way to deal with crisis situations. If we are concerned about your safety we may call you to check on your welfare. If you need to make an appointment, please call (02) 9852 5199 or visit the Counselling Service on your campus. Lifeline is also available 24 hours a day on 13 11 14)