Nervous students and exams

Most of us already did take exams in December, but as it always is with important points of University the seriousness is always present, and along it comes the fear about the results. And as it seems, the fear is more than exaggerated, at least according to people from other Universities. Subjects at University of Glasgow take in account two exam diets (December and May), and as such the results are either decided throughout the whole academic year with exams in both December and May, or just in one semester and with the exam on the respective exam diet. It is a though-of system – not only that there is a lower pressure on the student because of one exam diet for all the subjects, but also because of the relative ability to calculate the results throughout the semester/academic year. As such, you can often predict the range of grades you will be getting from each subject.

Even though most people are somehow sure about the grades they will be getting (and about passing in general), there are subjects excluded from the “comfort zone” – such as Business & Management 1B. It had only two graded pieces of work – one essay for 30%, and two hour essay in May for 70%, which was a reaction on a case study. Naturally, with such a large test coming in, the students’ behaviour tends to be somehow affected: some living off a caffeine, because they did not sleep the night before; some, believing in the almighty force of “padding grade”, engaged in optimistic conversations and trying to reinforce their choice in between themselves; some still stying to catch up on the curriculum and definitions; some just standing, looking at the wall, and quietly coming in terms with what was coming up. Most of the students, fortunately, formed a large group of those, who actually studies according to their will and consciousness – and their result was more than satisfactory as of that.

Other subjects were either graded for two semesters (both Computer Science subjects), or their grading depended on continuous work assessment (Mathematics). Compared to other Unis, I had to take only four exams during the spring exam diet, as the rest of them was already done in December.

And how did I do, you ask? The results came soon after the end of the exams, and so I can confirm my progress to the next academic year; and thanking to Kellner Family Foundation I can continue my studies into the next year without worries.