Failing the Law Exam: A Former MP's Devastating Experience

The weight of academic pressure can be crushing, as illustrated by the experience of a former member of the German parliament. After dedicating eight years to law studies and an intensive year of exam preparation, the individual faced the devastating setback of failing the first state examination. The cost was not just financial, with a 2,000-euro preparatory course, but deeply personal.

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When I failed the first state examination, I was devastated.

Exam preparation took a severe toll on mental health, affecting approximately 90 percent of students. The individual recounted experiencing anxiety and panic attacks in the library, a space meant for learning but which became a source of intense fear. This pressure was amplified by instructors who advised students to forgo friends and leisure time, emphasizing that a serious commitment to law meant living for the studies.

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I had anxiety and panic attacks in the library, between textbooks and index cards.

Years of sacrificing vacations and spending semester breaks at the desk, from morning to night, led to illness. An autoimmune disease developed, causing significant weight loss and a feeling of alienation from one's own body. This profound personal crisis serves as a stark reminder of the extreme pressures faced in demanding academic pursuits.

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For years, I didn't go on vacation and spent semester breaks at my desk, from morning to night.