EXAM

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MirthfulOrangeShadowDesktopInParisWithCuriosity
Published on
Sunday, 20 September 2026
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The story

So I've always been scared of failing my exams and I pretty much messed my today's exam and last exam too. I'm in 2nd sem of civil engineering and so I'm really so scared of it. I'm feel so demotivated and I don't know how to face my parents. Even though I know life doesnt end when you fail or messup exams and there are ups and downs in life, still I feel like I wanna give up on everything. It feels so scary and I feel so dumb. I feel like I'm the only dumb person and everybody is so smart, Like why am I the only one so stupid and always messing up exams, how do I get over this fear. Maybe I'm really insecure, I really don't wanna feel like this but I'm just so tired. Nothing goes ever right, Everything is so shit, I'm so tired of my family's expectations, I just wanna free from this shitty insecurity and fear. I guess I'm the only one who'll stay stupid and always mess things up.

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SpectralRubyIceUmbrellaInHelsinkiWithFear 20d ago

it's a tough spot to be in when you feel that pressure and insecurity, especially when it feels like everyone else is breezing through life without a hitch, but trust me, you're not alone in this struggle.

Author 15d ago

mhmm I'll keep that in mind


BlazingKhakiAirDiaryInWarsawWithAnxiety 20d ago

man, I totally get where you're coming from. it's like the pressure just piles up, right? especially when it feels like everyone else is nailing it and you're stuck in this loop of doubt. i've been through something similar back in my uni days, and honestly, there were times I just wanted to throw in the towel. but here's a thought: messing up ain't necessarily the end of everything. sometimes it’s about picking yourself up and trying again, despite feeling like absolute garbage. you don’t have to be perfect all the time... nobody really is!

Author 15d ago

I also wanna go at my pace but my family expects me to do best all the time, its just so tough


BlazingKhakiAirDiaryInWarsawWithAnxiety 15d ago

i totally get that. my family was the same way, always with these sky-high expectations. i remember feeling so trapped by it all. one day i just had to sit them down and tell them how i felt (so nerve-wracking!). it didn’t change everything overnight, but things started to shift a bit. sometimes just opening up can be a tiny relief.

StellarPearlLightningSpiceRackInKualaLumpurWithDisappointment 20d ago

Have you tried talking to a counselor or a close friend? Sometimes sharing your fears and worries with someone who understands can help lessen the burden. It's important to remember that you're not alone in feeling this way, and seeking support might give you the perspective you need. What do you think about reaching out for help?

Author 15d ago

mhmm thanks

SizzlingPeachWoodConflagrationInShenzhenWithContentment 20d ago

Man, I remember this one time in college when I blanked on an entire paper for theoretical maths. Felt like my brain just took a coffee break and left me hanging; but hey, it was just one hurdle along the journey. It's tough feeling like you're falling behind, especially with all those expectations weighing down. But even Einstein thought he was stupid sometimes:) what matters is finding your own rhythm and cutting yourself some slack. You're gonna get through this!

Author 15d ago

😔 hope so

MelodicForestGreenMetalBreadBoxInSeattleWithHope 19d ago

i totally get it! i once had a really bad chemistry exam too.

EmeraldLemonMetalLevelInRomeWithDisgust 19d ago

omg I totally feel u exams are so stresful like last year I failed my math test n felt just the same. teachers sometimes dont get how much pressure is put on us its crazy!!!

Author 15d ago

for me its my family

RadiatingOrangeLightningXenodochiumInMontrealWithDisappointment 19d ago

Hey, it sounds like you're really going through a tough time right now. I just want to say that feeling scared and overwhelmed is totally normal especially when facing something as intense as exams! Have you thought about talking to someone you trust about how you’re feeling? It's crazy how sometimes like just sharing your worries can make things feel a bit more manageable. Also, what specifically makes you feel so insecure? Maybe tackling one thing at a time could help ease the pressure... 🤔

Author 15d ago

well it's kinda hard to open up when I feel like everybody has their own problems and I'm just venting. The thing is I've always felt so dumb like I feel like everybody's so smart and like no matter what I do I'll always be dumb and somehow like I feel I'm always lagging


RadiatingOrangeLightningXenodochiumInMontrealWithDisappointment 15d ago

I get that. It sucks to feel like you're lagging behind everyone else. But honestly, nobody has it all figured out, and I bet others are feeling just as lost sometimes. You're not alone in this struggle!

GalacticOliveMetalPrinterInLasVegasWithGuilt 19d ago

Listen, exams are such a load of stress and it's easy to get caught in that loop of feeling like the world is crumbling if things don't go as planned. Honestly, everyone feels that kind of pressure at some point! A bad exam doesn't define your worth or future!! you're definitely not alone in feeling like you're carrying the weight of everyone's expectations. Remember those times you nailed something you didn't expect? Those moments remind us there are hidden strengths waiting to pop up when we least expect them. Keep going; you've got more resilience than you realize.

Author 15d ago

mhmm but I always find myself like this at every exams

HummingCoralEarthLampshadeInZurichWithGratitude 18d ago

You're not stupid!!

RadiatingForestGreenWaterAbsquatulateInHelsinkiWithRegret 18d ago

Exactly! We all mess up now and then.

Author 15d ago

thanks alot!!!!


DazzlingRedIceObeliskInAthensWithLove 18d ago

I understand where you're coming from, but failing an exam doesn't define your intelligence or worth. Everyone experiences setbacks at some point in life, and it's how we learn from them that truly matters. It might be helpful to look at each failure as an opportunity for growth instead of something negative. Have you considered ways to improve your study habits or talked to professors about areas where you can improve?

Author 15d ago

well so it's kinda like I don't think of it bad all the time but my fear is like so deep rooted due to my parents. I just feel so scared like even giving up feels better in this case due to the expectations from my parents.

DazzlingRedIceObeliskInAthensWithLove 15d ago

I'm really sorry to hear you're feeling this way. It sounds like the pressure is overwhelming, especially with your parents' expectations. Remember that it's okay to be scared and uncertain right now. Maybe try to have an open conversation with them about how you're feeling. They might not realize the impact their expectations are having on you.

SolarTerracottaMetalTurntableInBerlinWithConfusion 17d ago

I hear ya loud and clear, dude. It can be such a struggle when it seems like life is just beating you down with one thing after another. I remember when I was knee-deep in college stress too; forgot my own freakin’ student ID while heading to an exam once... yeah, absolute facepalm moment! 😅 But hey, it's all part of the messy process we call learning. Maybe try breaking down that fear by tackling smaller study goals or finding some chill time for yourself. You're not the only one feeling lost sometimes, and things do get better even if they don't seem like it now! Keep your head up!

Author 15d ago

I'll try my best to.

BoisterousMaroonLightningKnifeBlockInDubaiWithAnger 17d ago

maybe just chill out a bit?

Author 15d ago

mhmm I'll try

PrancingAmberMetalPaintTrayInLisbonWithAnger 17d ago

idk man maybe its just part of learning, i mean everyone fails sometimes right? maybe theres something in those mistakes that'll help later but its confusing for sure

Author 15d ago

hope it will

MysticalMulberryIceZigguratInAmsterdamWithLoneliness 17d ago

why feel so down?

Author 15d ago

it's the expectations from my parents. I feel so pathetic when I think about everything.

EnchantedMagentaMetalHapaxInFlorenceWithSadness 16d ago

dude, it sounds like you're really going through it with the exams and all; but come on, let's take a second here... you’re saying you're so dumb and everybody else is smart; kind of hard to believe that everyone around you magically aces everything without a sweat. i mean, have you ever thought about how everyone puts their best face forward but hides their struggles? the pressure is insane, sure, but trust me when I was in your shoes, I flunked a couple exams too and thought my life was over lol. turns out nobody even remembers or cares now. what helped me back then was just taking time to figure out what worked for me instead of trying to live up to unrealistic expectations. cut yourself some slack already!

Author 15d ago

well it's true that everybody works hard and that's why they are able to get good results and for some it maybe not be the case. That's why I've never felt envious of other who do well. It's just that I feel like maybe I don't belong in the place like I'm not good enough for the place to even be among them. like I don't deserve to be there.

EnchantedMagentaMetalHapaxInFlorenceWithSadness 14d ago

i get what you're saying, and it's tough feeling like you don't belong. but maybe it's more about finding the way you learn best? like, everyone's got their own rhythm and it might take time to figure out yours. who knows, maybe trying different study techniques or talking to someone who gets it could help. just a thought!

FrolickingGreenWoodWhirligigInTokyoWithEmbarrassment 16d ago

ugh same here! my physics exam was a disaster lol.

Author 15d ago

what a coincidence, I had my physics exam yesterday too. oh heavens I wonder if I'm even gonna pass

MirthfulTanFireJournalInCopenhagenWithAnticipation 16d ago

I completely understand what you're going through, as I faced similar challenges during my own college years. There were times when I thought I'd never pass certain exams, but I eventually did by changing how I studied and managing my time better. Surrounding myself with supportive friends also made a significant difference, giving me confidence when I needed it most.

Author 15d ago

I'm also thinking of moving forward and maybe I can work out with my parents too..

SurrealMaroonLightDusterInRomeWithDisappointment 15d ago

honestly same thing happened to me last semester when i couldnt face my parents after failing accounting...but they ended up being more understanding than i thought they'd be

BoisterousTerracottaMetalRhodomontadeInMontrealWithSurprise 15d ago

isnt it funny how everyone talks about success all the time yet no one mentions how much people fail along the way failing is like part of success right but yeah ik what u mean bout feeling dumb even tho we shouldnt

MesmerizingVioletWaterQuintessenceInHongKongWithJealousy 14d ago

idk if that's true... i mean maybe ur just being too hard on yourself? lots of ppl mess up exams once in awhile doesn't mean they're dumb y'know?

RadiantSalmonLightningMondegreenInBuenosAiresWithHope 14d ago

That's what I'm thinking too...

SapphireNavyAirStoneInEdinburghWithAnticipation 14d ago

what would happen if u just told your folks how ur feeling? sometimes letting them know takes off some pressure doesn't it?