Overcoming failure: how to turn setbacks into growth

Eboni-Rose Williams explores how failure can become a powerful catalyst for growth in dental technology.

Failure. It is such a stigmatised word, typically full of self-doubt and disappointment.

It can often feel like the end of the world, especially when you’re a student. But it is only after accepting it and stepping back that we often see failure for what it really is: a normal part of learning and growing. 

I recently found myself in this position after having to resit an exam, despite months of revision and preparation. I felt devastated. However, the knowledge gaps that showed up needed to be addressed. 

Getting through my course means everything to me, and helping people is my passion. I was not prepared to let this setback derail the hard work I put in or threaten a career that I love. Instead, I had to sit with the disappointment, pick myself up, seek guidance from my mentors, and find a way forward. I chose to write about this experience because I know I’m not alone; sharing the reality of learning is important, not just the curated highlights.

Here’s what I learned about redefining failure – and why it might just be one of the most important tools for growth.

Step one: acceptance 

Acceptance does not mean giving up; it means being honest about the situation so you can move forward with clarity. The first step was allowing myself to feel the grief. Failing hurts. Acknowledging emotions and discussing worries with family, friends and mentors helped manage my stress and anxiety. The old saying ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ really is true. 

I am very grateful for their support. By acknowledging my emotions, instead of pretending everything was fine, I was able to release some of the pressure I was carrying. You are not a failure, and this setback does not define you. It is an opportunity to improve and learn.  

Step two: planning 

Once I got my resit date, it was go time. I put together a clear plan of action, breaking everything down into manageable steps.

Although I’m aware of the environmental and ethical issues surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), I found it incredibly useful as a revision tool. I used Chat GPT to help me create a study plan. I uploaded my module guide, explained the assessment style (written, verbal, patient-facing questions), and asked it to generate a week-by-week topic list. I even got it to write practice questions. 

Furthermore, I used my lecturers’ supportive feedback, which was an important starting point.

This gave me a structure, which I then shared with my mentors. They helped me bridge gaps in my knowledge and test me along the way. On top of that, I built a daily timetable and stuck to it.

One small but powerful motivator was my visual countdown. I covered my blackboard in post-it notes, each one representing a day until the exam. Peeling one off every evening was a small victory, a reminder that I was one step closer. It sounds simple, but it kept me motivated.

Step three: active recall

Luckily, a huge bulk of my revision was done already, so instead of just re-reading/re-writing my notes for the resit, I had to actively test myself. 

That meant timed questions, practising active recall on whiteboards, and explaining techniques out loud to colleagues. The goal was to explain processes well in my own words until I was correct and more confident. My classmates and I did a revision session together that was helpful too, as we have different exposures due to being in different units. 

Also, the revision session with our lecturer was incredibly invaluable, which I am very grateful for. 

Retention is more important than the quantity of revision notes. Adjusting your old process of revising will result in improved results. I carried out timed questions, practised active recall with whiteboards, and spoke to colleagues to check my understanding, and repeated this process.

Step four: wellbeing and discipline

One of the hardest parts of resitting was managing my energy. It is so easy to slip into burnout when the stakes feel high. I had to remind myself that rest and balance were not luxuries but essentials. It felt counterintuitive at first, my inner monologue believing ‘I need to be studying every hour!’ But actually, managing my time gave me the focus and energy I needed to keep going. 

Prioritising sleep, going to the gym, and time in nature with my dog were significant for managing my stress on the run-up to the exam. This helped my study sessions be more focused and productive too. The weeks before my exam were spent mainly indoors revising, though!

Lessons for maxillofacial prosthetics

Mistakes are not just something that happen in exams. In maxillofacial prosthetics, mistakes are inevitable while learning too. 

In the first few months, while practising, I added the wrong catalyst to silicone. I felt confused and frustrated after taking lots of care when packing the prosthesis. However, after a trip to the canteen for lunch and back, I realised my mistake. I quickly learned to be more conscious not to repeat this.

Final thoughts

I wanted to write this to bring light to the realities of studying; setbacks are inevitable and part of the rollercoaster of life. No path is linear. 

How we deal with failure, redefine it and learn is so important. It forces us to pause, reflect, put a plan in place, lean on our support network, improve and get back up. 

Mistakes are how we build the skills and confidence to get better.

In a field focused on precision and high attention to detail, it is an honour to be motivated to achieve the best outcomes for patients and to use as your ‘why’ to keep going. 

To anyone facing their own setback right now, you’ve got this. 

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