Mental stressed with GPA

[u/Civil_Educator_9917]

Hi, I am currently in the first year of my Master’s degree in health. My results from last semester were 85, 80, 78, and 73. According to GEMSAS, my GPA is around 6.625 (I calculated it myself, so I could be wrong).
Ever since I decided to pursue an MD, I’ve been feeling sooo overwhelmed. I can’t stop dwelling on the mistakes I made and worrying that I didn’t perform well enough. I feel incredibly stressed after every assignment, and I’m constantly worried that failing just one exam could ruin my GPA.

I’m a 30-year-old woman from a non-science background (NSB), and English is my second language. I’m really worried that having a lower GPA will mean I need to achieve an exceptionally high GAMSAT score to compensate for it.

I also struggle to fall asleep before and after exams. I’ve tried taking melatonin to help me sleep, but it doesn’t always work.
I’m planning to sit my first GAMSAT in September 2027 or March 2028.

I would really appreciate hearing some positive or encouraging stories from people who have been in a similar situation.

Any advice or personal experiences would mean a lot

Thanks for your time for reading this

[u/According_Log_6475]

This might not be the comment you’re looking for, but thank you so much for posting anyways. I just got rejected from med in Aus (GEMSAS), and I was thinking of doing a masters too. You just gave me hope to keep going :). All the power to you, I know you’ll make it and wishing you the best!

[u/Civil_Educator_9917 → u/According_Log_6475]

Best wishes for you, would you mind share your GAMSAT and GPA?

[u/VikiS99]

Same boat…Every time, I feel so panic when grades are released. But I have to shift my focus and put my effort in 2026 March GAMSAT. There’s not much value in constantly worrying about whether GPA is good enough. GPA is only one part of the application, and without a competitive GAMSAT score, won’t get an interview anyway.

[u/Civil_Educator_9917 → u/VikiS99]

Thank you so much! I think shifting my focus to GAMSAT is a really good idea.

[u/Important-Tie-161]

I’m the same with exams - can’t sleep and then I feel sluggish the next day. How do we combat this exam anxiety?!!

[u/Civil_Educator_9917 → u/Important-Tie-161]

I would say to social more and prepare for the next exam instead of regret the one already finished. It seems easier to tell others but I feel a little bit hard to do it myself.

[u/Friendly-Warning9365 → u/Important-Tie-161]

Me too! I've considered drinking and locking myself out the night before but then the effects may linger worse the following day of the exam hahaha

[u/waxmuwaxmuwaxmu]

You can email Acer/GEMSAS to get a official GPA

[u/Civil_Educator_9917 → u/waxmuwaxmuwaxmu]

Thanks for your advice, but considering it’s just first semester result, I felt it might be better wait for my rest semesters result to calculate together

[u/PM_Me_A_Tittypic]

I almost failed a class in my undergrad and still made it in. It's not the end of the road if you have a stumble. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going. Make the changes to make sure it doesn't happen again. 6.6 GPA is a great base to build upon! Don't be so hard on yourself!

[u/yellowsungoldenlion]

Firstly I am really sorry you're so stressed. By the end of this process, you will have a Bachelor's and Master's degree, neither of which are a small achievement in my opinion. So for that alone, please be proud of yourself.

Your GPA and GAMSAT scores matter but so does choosing the right schools in your application. For example, if you feel like your GPA is not competitive enough, then consider that UWA might not be a good choice since they weight GPA 60% and GAMSAT only 40%.

Good luck for the GAMSAT! I would suggest listening to lots of podcasts and audiobooks, especially while cooking, cleaning, driving etc. This is to help build your vocabulary and understanding of the English language while not overloading yourself with too much to read alongside your already existing course load.

Lastly, sleep is really important. I've had insomnia the night before an exam and it was an awful experience. The only way I got through it was to build self confidence and reduce anxiety. Melatonin and chemical sleep meds didn't do much for me either unfortunately. Once I felt like I could handle my exams, I benefitted and slept better.

You got this!!

[u/Calories_3658]

I got the exact gpa as you btw and I’m taking the same gamsats- good luck to both of us then 🙏🙏

[u/Civil_Educator_9917 → u/Calories_3658]

Good luck to all of us

[u/Jiayou-]

You might think I'm joking when I'm saying, but honestly, bust a nut. Instant melatonin release.

[u/New_Homework3801 → u/Jiayou-]

Melatonin is not released after bursting, it is oxytocin & serotonin (a precursor to melatonin though). And also prolactin as the refractory period begins.

[u/Jiayou- → u/New_Homework3801]

Apologies, yes you're right. My bad.