Setbacks at University: A Student Perspective

19 May 2025

Setbacks are part of every student’s experience, even if they’re not something we always speak about openly.

As a fourth-year undergraduate, it’s true to say I’ve faced my fair share of challenges and setbacks throughout my time at Warwick Business School. Balancing lectures, assignments, job applications, social life and extracurriculars can be incredibly rewarding, but can also feel very overwhelming at times. No matter how well-organised or hardworking you are, things sometimes don’t go the way you expect – and that’s completely normal!

Over time, I’ve learned the key isn’t avoiding setbacks, or by not letting them impact you, but rather learning how best to respond and grow from them in a healthy manner.

Understanding What Setbacks Look Like:

Setbacks at university can come in all shapes and sizes and some of the most difficult ones aren’t always obvious from the outside. A few examples of common setbacks experienced at university are:

  • Receiving lower marks on an assignment/exam than expected, even when you’ve put in lots of work.
  • Having multiple deadlines clash at once, with little room to breathe.
  • Struggling to land an internship or graduate job.
  • Managing personal challenges during critical academic periods.
  • Underperforming in sport, society or part-time work.

When you experience setbacks like these, it can feel like you are the only one, but the truth is most students experience similar challenges at some point; they just look different for everyone. These moments can trigger a range of emotions, from sadness, disappointment, frustration or embarrassment. However, these setbacks are part of a learning process. The key is learning how to pick yourself up, regain perspective, and not let a singular moment like this stop you from reaching your goals.

Reframing These Moments:

In the past, I did not always take the time to reflect when something went wrong and would attempt to move on quickly without thinking about how it affected me or what I could learn from it. Over time, my mindset has shifted to realise the value of pausing. Instead of only focusing on the outcome, I try to understand what led to it and how I can mitigate the risk of it happening again. Here are three key things to consider when faced with a setback:

  1. Focus on the bigger picture - when faced with a specific setback, it can be easy to hone in on this one negative incident. Remind yourself that progress is measured over time, and success is a process. Don’t let this disappointment define you.
     
  2. Be honest about where things are - sometimes the best response is not immediate action but giving yourself time to think clearly, rather than just carrying on with normal life. It can often feel like we need to put on a ‘strong front’ but in actuality what we need is rest or support.
     
  3. Focus on what can be controlled - although the outcome cannot be changed, you can still change how you move forward. This could include preparing differently next time, asking for feedback or adjusting expectations. By amending these, it can help you feel you’ve gained some control back.

How To Stay On-Track:

 

  • Stay Active - movement is one of the most effective ways to support your well-being. Physical activity releases feel-good hormones that boost energy, reduce stress and improve overall mood. Whether it’s through sport, walking or other forms of exercise, staying active helps to create space from academic pressures.
     
  • Connect - socialising with others helps maintain perspective during challenging periods and can provide a welcome break from academic pressure, while also creating space to talk things through if needed. Both support and distraction have value.
     
  • Unwind - taking time to step back from study and screens helps to allow you to recharge. Activities like listening to music or reading a book provide calm moments that support focus and balance.
     
  • Support Network - having people to lean on, both personally and through the university, makes a real difference during challenging times. Don’t be afraid to reach out to those close to you for support if needed. The university also offers an extensive range of well-being support such as personal tutors, counselling services and self-help resources.

Final Thoughts:

Setbacks are part of the reality of student life, no matter how organised or motivated you are. What matters is not avoiding them, but how you respond when they happen. With the right support, healthy habits and perspective, it is possible to move through these moments and come out of them with greater resilience, self-awareness and confidence in what you’re capable of handling.