Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-9-2026
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Allied Health Studies
First Advisor
Carol Britson
Second Advisor
Josh Schmerge
Third Advisor
Adam Pate
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Human Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) is a two-semester course that focuses on the structure and function of the human body systems. For many students, A&P could be their first challenging undergraduate course and their first experience with academic difficulty. Students must learn to adapt their study habits and respond productively to academic failure. The purpose of this study was to examine how students in the A&P courses at the University of Mississippi perceive and cope with academic failure, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention method. Students enrolled in BISC 206 and BISC 207 participated in three surveys administered at the beginning, middle, and end of the semester. Surveys measured attitudes toward failure, stress levels, and study habits using Likert-scale responses. Some students also chose to participate in an online focus group highlighting videos and readings related to resilience and “positive failure.” Results indicated that students in both courses experienced high levels of stress, anxiety, and negative emotions in response to academic difficulty. These emotions were associated with maladaptive coping behaviors and ineffective study strategies. Although many students recognized the need to adjust their behaviors, few reported making productive academic adjustments. Comparisons between BISC 206 and 207 revealed significant differences in perceived failure, stress, and consideration of withdrawal. The intervention had an overall positive impact, with most students reporting improved attitudes toward failure. Overall, these findings highlight the need for interventions that address the importance of attitude towards failure in rigorous STEM courses.
Recommended Citation
Mueller, Annie R., "Identifying and Coping with Failure in Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II Students" (2026). Honors Theses. 3465.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3465
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