Weeks after test week, a period marked by sleepless nights, late-night studying, and intensive assessment tasks, UP students head straight into exam season. The focal points are the challenges students faced during this time: from navigating sick tests and balancing work and academics to the anxiety of qualifying for exams. Some students remain on campus, anxiously awaiting results and the possible notice of writing supplementary exams for failed modules. This is the voice of many students’ struggles, reflections, and resilience during one of the most demanding parts of academics.
No one knows how panicking and difficult it is to choose between fun and studying quite like a student. After a long exam season, students are faced with the excitement of receiving their results and hitting the road to akhaya, home. Because who wants to stick around Hatfield after a semester like that?
Lethabo shared her first semester journey with PDBY, saying, “This semester was honestly the toughest one so far. We had so much to do and then next thing it was test week; that drained me the most. There was one module where we had to submit an assignment a day before writing the test. At some point, I even felt like I wanted to deregister because it was just too much for me to handle. But by God’s grace, He kept me going.”
She went on to explain that she encountered some challenges, both personal and academically, especially with group work. She said, “Who knows this better than a student.” She added, “Exams were also very draining, but through determination, hard work, and having goals for myself, I made it through.”
“Having three examinations on three consecutive days was the most demanding. I had to sacrifice my sleep to study.” Lethabo said. “Also, getting the news that I needed to write a supplementary exam forced me to stop studying for my upcoming exam so that I could fully prepare for the supplementary [exam]. After writing it, I then continued studying for my next exam.”
As soon as the exam season is over, the stress is gone, until someone gets code 999 on their portal. Students tend to plan their moves in advance: “After my last paper, l am booking my ticket home”, or “It has been a crazy semester. l’m done”. Far too often, students are faced with a code 999, and then they have to unpack, change their plans, and write a supplementary exam.
One of the best ways to face this setback is by preparing instead of packing. Waiting for results after such a long, draining semester can be hard, but to skip the exam means that you will have to face the music of the same module again next year.
Lethabo went on to say that she had to write more than one supplementary exam. She still has not received her marks for the last supplementary exam she wrote, however she is “hoping [that she] will get them as soon as possible”.
She concluded by sharing her plans for recess, saying, “I just want to rest enough and regain my strength for the second semester. [As] for the new semester, I cannot wait to meet our new lecturers and get back to work.”
There is a famous quote that goes something like this: “Do it once, you’ll fail. Do it again until you win.” Some believe that the third time’s the charm, while UP believes in the second chance. With the first strike, one is tested to see what they know. Although supplementary exams can be draining because you have to wait another two weeks for your pass, it is worth the wait knowing you stayed the week and did everything you could. What better way is there to end the semester?
