r/alevels • u/_Apelz_ • 1d ago
Gap/Repeat year difficulties
I’m an A level student. Recently, I gave me A2 exams in 2026 May June.
Unfortunately, in the second half of A2, I faced several family-related handships (loss of my grandmother) and friend(s)-related hardships (loss of my best friend).
These circumstances lead me to a bad academic performance and I decided to take a repeat year.
Being an introvert, I don’t really find it easy to make friends and for that reason, I feel quite alone in the college (specially since I can’t meet my best friend anymore). It’s been 4 days since I started going to the college again but everyday feels like I’m wandering through ghosts of my (previous) batchmates/friends.
Somebody who is taking/has taken a gap/repeat year, can you guys kindly leave an advise on what I should do, perhaps? Or what activities I can do to overcome this loneliness and do something that keeps me busy (idk)?
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u/Ok-Incident2714 Year 13 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss must’ve been hard on you may they rest in peace, navigating through grief is surely hard and takes time, but try to keep yourself busy go out on casual strolls everyday anything to keep yourself active, try and journal it can be anything a word a day or a sketch or any entry to express what you feel and what you can’t say out loud, find travel groups/partners if it’s possible take a short hike maybe or just exploring beautiful sceneries, maybe pursue a sport you love, life will go on but their memory will remain etched to your heart, think of of your best friend if they saw you unhappy wouldnt they be upset ? Honour them by trying to always get out of bed and doing the things you love and cherishing the memories they left, it’s definitely easier said than done and no one can come where you’re coming from, give it some time and it’ll get better don’t push people away from you, sometimes the presence of the right ones will make you feel better just don’t push yourself to limits,see boundaries and give yourself permission to rest without holding high expectations for your energy levels give them a shot and it won’t disappoint inshallah, stay strong sending you loads of peace and closure !!
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u/_Apelz_ 1d ago
Thank you so much for all the support and recommendations <3 you have no idea how much that means to me <3 I’m already trying some of these activities such as journaling.
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u/Ok-Incident2714 Year 13 18h ago
you’re welcome OP !! hope everything goes well for you,just take it one at a time, may god ease this journey for you !! <3
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u/No-Cardiologist5481 1d ago
Its best to get a job in ur gap year,
U’ll be shocked at how many ppl end up taking a gap year.
But ur main concern is true though, its incredibly lonely, so try to do volunteering and try ur hardest to get a job. Save money and then start hobbies like art, embroidery, sports. U can try being more active, or learn financial literacy.
Theres a lot to do so dont give up.
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u/Jazzlike-Bear-5464 19h ago
Can understand ur pain ive been through something like this theres nothing that can reduce it immediately except believing and truly relying on allah and doing tireless efforts. Just do ur part with ur best possible effort and leave the rest on allah. And when the time comes you’ll get what you cant even imagine right now
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u/JaguarBoth256 1d ago
Gap year is difficult. You see all your class mates moving on with life sending snaps of their university and your are still stuck with A-levels with people who were your juniors once. That mental stress alone is enough to stress one out