MAKI MOLAPO AND SAMUEL MASHAMPI
Exam stress is, in simpler terms, the fear of the uncertainty of success or failure. Some students have concentration and memory difficulties, while some struggle staying awake. With holidays just around the corner, the last few papers of the exams are either exciting or daunting.
We met up with one college student and a university student to tell us more about how they dealt and, in some cases, are dealing with pre- and post-exam fever.
Luthando Meke – Motheo TVET College Student
Meke says that she tried by all means to relax by talking to her younger sister and friends so that she doesn’t get nervous and is able to study. She also eats a lot of fruits, drinks a lot of water, jogs as often as she can and studies a lot. Meke adds, for that reason, the exams are, so far, just as she expected them to be, “They asked questions the learners were expected to prepare for,” she says.
Being around self-motivated and positive people keeps her upbeat about her exams.
Meke mentions her study routine is studying in the morning while her energy levels are still high and her mind is fresh. In cases where an exam paper proved to be challenging, she advises that one should not dwell on failures since what happens cannot be changed and the best thing to do is to move on.
Kanya Mlugwana – student of The Central University of Technology
Mlungwana says she studies in advance and sleeps for at least 6 hours. She states that she tries not to stress a lot and jogging helps her to be mentally strong. Because she prepared for her exams, she wrote fairly well. “What kept me motivated was knowing what I ultimately wanted at the end.”
In regards to difficult papers, Mlungwana says that it’s important to accept if you did not do as well as expected and to properly prepare for the next assessment. “Just keep it moving”, she adds.
She hints that she had a study time-table and scheduled her time very well before hand.
It is no secret that although some students might be dedicated and honest to their work, there are some that take shortcuts. Bloemfontein Courant spoke to The Central University of Technology spokesperson, Dan Maritz about cheating instances. “So far there have not been any reports about dishonest conduct during the exams this semester,’ says Maritz.
Maritz furthermore says that some of the main challenges students face are their state and level of readiness which contributes to some writing reassessments.
“Reassessment tests are a way of giving students that attained less than 50% in their main exam the opportunity to re-write their exam,” he explains.
The effort that you put into your studies ultimately determines your success or your failure
