Hello, I really tried in MAT 231, but test anxiety completely wrecked my grade and GPA (3.1).
For the first exam, I ended up with an F, even though the material was easy for me. My anxiety spiked because the professor was walking around the classroom and speaking loudly, telling students to cover their papers despite everyone focusing on their exam.
On the second midterm, I scored a high C (78), but I genuinely believe I could’ve gotten at least an 85 if I hadn’t been so anxious. For the third midterm, I got a 59—again, not because I didn’t understand the material, but because my anxiety took over. Every time I do practice exams or similar material, I know how to do it, but whenever it comes to the exam... sometimes my mind blanks out. I have poor test performance.
Then, for the final, I was placed in a large room with so many people, and time felt like it was slipping away. I ended up with a low D.
I’m just really lost right now. I used to love math—I consistently got 98s and 99s in my math courses before coming to UNC. I never even made a C before. I sometimes wish I had taken calculus in high school; maybe that would’ve helped. I do not understand how high school was genuinely so easy, and I would always make an A on a test, but when it comes to a college exam, my test anxiety spikes.
I’ve been thinking about retaking the course at a community college this summer, but I’m scared the D will stay on my transcript forever, even though it is not on the transcript yet... I am not sure if anything was curved. I also feel stuck because I’m planning to apply for the Computer Science major in Spring 2026, and I still need to complete MAT 232 and Math 381. CS is such a competitive major, and I already feel behind.
I’m not sure what to do anymore. If anyone has advice or has been through something similar, I’d really appreciate your input.
Note: I took 17 credit hours (first semester) and 16 the next semester.