How do I come back from a disappointing mark?

We’ve all been there. 

Looking at the piece of paper in front of us with a mark that didn’t meet our expectations as panic seeps into us. Amidst the discordant chatter of how well everyone else besides you did, that horrible feeling haunts you all the way home. 

This was a feeling I only knew so well during my preliminary years of HSC. So, how does one recover from a disappointing mark? 

Remember that the mark does not define you

Do you feel that one bad mark is the end of the road for you? The hard truth is that this isn’t true. I certainly felt so when I got a bad mark during HSC, and I completely understand how frustrating it is to feel like you can never get up from the shock of it. 

A mark, however, is only ever a mark. It is a reflection of you during the time that you completed the assessment. During the time since then, and even moving forward, we all can still control our future progress. To overtly let the mark affect your life is to deny your chance to grow. Equipping a growth mindset will allow you to flourish as an academic but also as a resilient individual. This will last you a lifetime, and not just for HSC!

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“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts” - Winston Churchill

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Reflect upon your mistakes 

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I realised very early on that doing the same thing again and expecting a better mark is a foolish endeavour. A result that doesn’t align with our expectations does not speak to our failure, but instead to our capacity to grow. 

What this means in practical terms is that you must meticulously analyse where the marks were lost in your assessments, and make explicit notes as to what the mistake was as well as how to prevent it in the future. This way, you not only have a cheat sheet before the next assessments to reflect upon but also a way to not fall back into your old mistakes!

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” - Albert Einstein 

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Collaborate and find the assistance you need

After a deep reflection, it’s time to create your support network. Work together with supportive friends to proofread and concept-check syllabus dot points examined in the exams. Seek out teachers' feedback, and don’t be afraid to camp in their staffroom given that you’ve worked hard in reflecting. Remember, four eyes see more than two!

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“Four eyes see more than two” - Common proverb 

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Want to get back on your feet faster? Reach out at Concept - we're always happy to help!

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