I don’t think this has much to do with obsessions but I would like some help :( I’m 17 years old, very good in school I have a 3.9 GPA. I took the SAT earlier this month and got a score of 980 :/ I also got a 13/24 on the essay and writing is my passion. I’ve been feeling very dumb and useless and I do not want to continue leaving. Any advice?

So the thing about standardize tests its a one size fits all approach and that’s not always right. It doesn’t necessarily test for intelligence. You have to understand how to beat the test, not necessarily be smart. Is retaking an option? How do you do in practice tests? I took the bar exam where I live and for the essays the correct answer is just 2 points, but repeating everything you memorized gets you the other 18 even if not necessary for the answr, it’s necessary for the points. So two things. One if you can retake figure out what gets the points, and 2, know that if in no way measures your abilities or intelligence, just again your understanding of that one test. Don’t give it more value than that.

I was never able to do good in any test because of the pressure. Especially with how big of a test the SAT is, alot of people don't do well on it even when they know all the answers. It is totally fine to get knocked down once in a while, but let this be an opportunity for growth.

Text HOME to 741741 to reach the crisis hotline if you need it. But one thing I’d like to say is that I think we can strongly identify with certain parts of our life and if those parts don’t go the way we want, we can get down. But this can go to another level of upset for people with OCD, and this tendency is something we have to be mindful of as just that, a tendency in thoughts and feelings, but not necessarily truth. Try going volunteer somewhere and you will find out quickly that you are far from useless. You have so much to offer.

Please reach out to a crisis hotline. I know this feels shitty now and it’s okay to feel bad. Reach out for help when you need it. Re your scores: did you do any test prep courses? Plenty of studies have shown that these tests don’t measure actual intelligence; they measure your ability to take this particular test. There are real and teachable tips and tricks that courses can help with.

There’s always going to be another test, so there’s always going to be another chance to do better. I got a 66 in physics and I’m usually good in school too, but it’s not really important. Mental health is always above grades. You can fix grades easier than you can fix your mindset, trust me. Don’t feel too down - numbers aren’t the only things in the world.

I’m sorry to hear that. Keep trying to do your best and see what you can improve more on for the next essay. I totally understand what you are going through. I always have to work harder than everyone else at uni and I never get the grades that I deserve which makes me very upset. Keep going you don’t have long to go. Are you in year 12?

Hey! I read your post and I wanted to respond because I feel like I can relate to you a lot. I'm also 17, and I get around the same grades that you do. I get pretty obsessed with it and constantly hate myself because I feel like I'm disappointing everyone around me. But whenever I get like this I think about how this is all temporary, and that hopefully, five years from now I'll be here and all this worrying and self-hate I'm feeling right now is basically pointless. I don't know if this helped you, but I hope so. Also, if you're unhappy with your grades or your writing, maybe seek help and guidance any way you can, like asking teachers or other students. You might feel like you do so much already but we can always do more to improve. You're not alone, hope this helped!