It's hard on me, getting turned back at the border (3)
I believe the answer is:
hem
'the border' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'it's hard on me getting turned' is the wordplay.
'it's hard' becomes 'h' (abbreviation used in pencil classifications).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'getting turned' is a reversal indicator.
'me' backwards is 'em'.
'h'+'em'='HEM'
'back at' is the link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hem that I've seen before include "Sewn border" , "Bottom of a garment" , "Finished edge of a piece of cloth" , "It draws attention to" , "Double-backed border of a garment" .)