The Mental Toll of Carryovers: How to Overcome Academic Anxiety and Shame

By Marvellous Olajide

For many students, nothing feels heavier than the dreaded word—carryover. That moment when results are released and you scroll down the list, only to see “F” boldly staring at you. It’s like your heart drops into your stomach. Suddenly, your friends’ laughter sounds louder, their smiles brighter, and you feel like the only one in the room who failed.

If you have ever carried over a course, you know the mental weight that comes with it. Anxiety, shame, low self-esteem, and the fear of being “left behind” in your academic journey can eat away at your peace. In fact, many students struggle more with the mental and emotional toll than the academic challenge itself.
But seriously: carryovers are not the end of your story. They don’t define your intelligence, worth, or future success. Let’s explore how to face the mental toll of carryovers and come out stronger.

1. Understanding the Emotional Weight
First, it’s important to admit that carrying a course isn’t just about repeating lectures or writing another exam. It comes with emotional baggage:
Anxiety – “What if I fail again? What if people find out?”
Shame – “Everyone will think I’m not smart enough.”
Isolation – Avoiding friends or classmates because of embarrassment.
Fear of the Future – “Will this delay my graduation? Will I still succeed in life?”
Acknowledging these feelings doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human. Many students silently go through this pain, and speaking about it is the first step toward healing.

2. Breaking the Shame Cycle
Carryovers often make students feel like they’ve lost their dignity. You see juniors taking the same course with you, and it feels humiliating. But here’s a perspective shift:
You’re not alone. Thousands of students across universities have repeated courses—some even repeated entire years. Yet, many of them are now graduates, professionals, and successful in their fields.
Failure is not final. Some of the world’s most brilliant people failed at something before succeeding. A failed course doesn’t erase your potential.
Your worth is not tied to your grades. You are more than a GPA or transcript.
Shame thrives in secrecy. Opening up to a trusted friend, mentor, or counselor about your struggle can help you see that your situation is not as hopeless as it feels.

3. Practical Ways to Manage Academic Anxiety
Here are some strategies to ease the stress and build confidence while preparing to retake a course:
Reframe Your Mindset: Instead of thinking, “I failed this course,” say, “I get another chance to understand it better.”
Plan Differently: Look back at what went wrong—poor attendance, weak study habits, procrastination—and adjust your approach this semester.
Use Support Systems: Attend tutorials, ask seniors for notes, or form study groups. Sometimes, learning with others makes difficult concepts easier.
Prioritize Self-Care: Don’t neglect sleep, proper meals, or exercise. Mental health thrives when your body is cared for.
Limit Negative Comparisons: Everyone’s academic journey is different. Comparing yourself constantly to classmates will only fuel anxiety.

4. Dealing with People’s Perceptions
One of the hardest parts of carryovers is facing people’s opinions. Friends might joke, classmates might gossip, and relatives might throw in hurtful comments like “So you failed?”

Here’s how to cope:
Accept that not everyone will understand. Some people will always have something to say, but that doesn’t make their words true.
–Surround yourself with encouragement. Spend time with people who see your potential, not just your past mistakes.
–Build resilience. The more you learn to stand firm despite people’s opinions, the stronger you’ll become in handling life’s other pressures.
5. The Bigger Picture
When you graduate, no employer or client will be interested in how many courses you carried over—they’ll care about the skills and knowledge you can bring to the table. Life has a way of proving that setbacks can become stepping stones.
Some students even discover their true strength and discipline during the period of retaking a course. What looks like a delay might actually build resilience, patience, and determination—qualities far more valuable than a perfect transcript.

So you see, if you’re a student currently dealing with a carryover, take a deep breath. You are not defined by a single grade. Yes, it’s painful. Yes, it feels like a stain on your academic record. But it is also an opportunity to learn differently, to grow stronger, and to prove to yourself that failure is not your final identity.

Remember, university is not just about passing exams, it is about building character, resilience, and the ability to rise after setbacks. So, hold your head high, face your fears, and remind yourself: a carryover is not the end; it’s just part of the journey.

Image credit: Turnbridge