Written by Remi Bampton
If you had told first-year me that I would achieve a distinction in Intro to Anatomy (BMS171), I would have just laughed at you. But here I am, a third-year Occupational Therapy student, telling you that the subject that made me cry in 2022 and question whether I was cut out for university, has become one of my favourite subjects I’ve completed so far.
Now, I failed Intro to Anatomy for a few reasons:
- The first was how daunting starting university seemed, and not knowing what I was in for. I didn’t realise the demands of university and how much time it would take to understand the content and be able to apply it in our practical classes, which was imperative for the exams.
- I also didn’t know what study techniques worked for me. I hadn’t figured out that I was a visual learner yet, so any study that I attempted always made me feel worse than not studying. As a result, I lost all motivation to study and failed.
Fast-forward to 2025, and I received an email from the Graduate Planning Team to enrol in BMS171 for Session One, along with two demanding OT subjects, one being a double credit point subject. I felt like I was back where I started, overwhelmed and scared of the session to follow. I was so scared that I would fail again.
So, there I was, waiting outside of the lab, feeling so nervous and probably over prepared, but I started to realise that this subject wasn’t as scary as I thought. I knew what I was in for, and after completing two years of university, I understood how I learn and what works for me. Now, more than ever, I knew that I wanted to become an Occupational Therapist.
I studied my heart out, spending lots of time in the library using the models, booking in tutoring sessions, and ensuring I was always prepared for class, no matter how hard I was finding the content. This was a clear change from first-year me.
I also engaged in what I call “low-intensity study,” where I used an anatomy colouring book and created a practical Quizlet, where I would play the block puzzle feature whilst watching Netflix.
I was on the right path to passing the subject. I walked out of the final exam feeling okay. I thought I had at least gained enough marks to pass the subject, but I wasn’t sure. We all know the feeling, I’m sure.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened the grades section on Brightspace to reveal just how well I had done. All my hard work had paid off, and I ended the subject achieving a distinction! I was so proud of myself, and honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. Without failing this subject, I never would have met some of the best people, shout out Emma and Lexi! And I never would have found my love for rehabilitation and upper limb therapy without redoing this subject just before placement.
So, my biggest bit of advice for you is, just because you fail a subject, doesn’t mean you’re not meant to be doing what you are, it just means it’s putting you in the right position to achieve and learn more.
Charlie blog is a SSAF initiative.
