u/Outrageous_Strike997

Hi everyone,

I’m a UK Year 2 medical student who unfortunately has to repeat the academic year due to OSCE performance, and I wanted some realistic advice from people who have been through something similar or improved significantly after struggling clinically.

What’s frustrating is that my misses were often extremely small margins (0.4–0.8 marks), and looking back, many of my station failures came down to procedural sequencing, small execution/safety mistakes, missing steps under pressure, or poor exam technique rather than completely lacking knowledge.

For example:

• forgetting small sterile technique steps,
• not verbalising findings clearly enough,
• poor structure during examination stations,
• pacing/stress affecting execution,
• inconsistencies across stations.

What confuses me is that:

• in first term, I thought communication was my weak point,
• but in second term, communication improved a lot,
• and instead I became weaker in physical examination/procedural execution.

My written/theory exams were actually okay despite not studying in the most sustainable way, which makes me think my issue is more performance/execution-based rather than pure intelligence or knowledge.

I also received a late ADHD diagnosis this year, and I’m trying to understand how much that may have contributed to:

• inconsistency,
• rushed mistakes,
• sequencing issues,
• attention lapses,
• burnout,
• and poor long-term consolidation.

I’ve been offered the opportunity to repeat the year, and I genuinely want to use this properly rather than just “survive” it.

So I wanted to ask:

• If you repeated a year or massively improved your OSCEs, what changed things for you?
• How did you train examination/procedural fluency?
• How did you stop making “small but costly” mistakes?
• Did ADHD/anxiety/executive dysfunction affect your OSCEs?
• What helped you become clinically consistent instead of inconsistent?
• What would you do differently if you got an extra year?

I’m trying to approach this realistically and rebuild properly rather than spiral emotionally over the repeat.

Any honest advice would genuinely mean a lot.

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Hi everyone, I’m a Year 2 medical student in the UK and I’m at a bit of a crossroads and would really appreciate honest advice.

I passed my written exams but failed my OSCE (5/12). I was very close in a few stations (missed one by ~0.1%). During the OSCE I had a significant panic episode which I reported immediately after the exam to staff. I’m also on ADHD medication (Elvanse) and have been having anxiety/panic symptoms, which I’m now getting reviewed.

In Term 1 I also had a concern about a station (possible mismatch between what was taught vs assessed). I raised it at the time and was told to revisit it after final results.

My school says I can submit an appeal based on exceptional circumstances/procedural concerns. If an appeal is successful, there might be a chance of a sequential OSCE in early July (not guaranteed, and I’d need 6/6). The appeal timeline is uncertain.

The alternative is to take an interruption of studies (abeyance) and repeat next year. I’m an international student, so there are visa considerations with interruption. I’m also currently in SSC and would need to stay engaged if I pursue an appeal.

I’m trying to decide between:

1. Appeal + prepare for a possible sequential (high pressure, uncertain outcome), or
2. Interrupt now, go home, stabilise (mental health/meds), and restart next year.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you decide? Any advice on appeal strength (panic during exam + immediate reporting, ADHD meds, prior station concern) and whether it’s worth pushing for a sequential vs taking a reset?

Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone, I’m a Year 2 medical student in the UK and I’ve just been told I need to repeat the year because I didn’t meet the Professional Skills (OSCE) requirement.

I’m trying to process everything and would really appreciate both honest advice and some perspective from people who’ve been through this.

For context:

• My theory is strong and consistently above expected standards
• No concerns with professionalism or conduct
• The issue is OSCE performance, especially procedural skills and communication under pressure

During OSCEs, my hands start shaking, I get overwhelmed, and I struggle to execute things smoothly even when I know what I’m doing. It feels like my performance doesn’t reflect my actual understanding at all.

I’m aware I could have approached preparation better, and I want to use this as a chance to improve rather than just feel stuck in it.

What I’d really appreciate:

• If you’ve had to repeat a year, how did it affect you long-term?
• How did you rebuild your confidence and avoid falling into the same patterns?
• Any practical tips for improving OSCE performance under pressure?
• And honestly… does this get better? It feels pretty heavy right now

I have a meeting with faculty soon to go through things in more detail, but I just wanted to hear from people who’ve actually come out the other side of this.

Thank you I’d really appreciate any insight.