Exam Stress: Getting Through the Exam Period

By Joe Ashby, University of Sydney, Australia

Exam periods are tough, this is the same whatever University you are at. Of course, the extent to which you will be spending prolonged periods of time in the library is very course dependent, however, I felt a similar degree of stress during my exams at University of Sydney as I did at the University of Manchester. This blog highlights tips not only related to getting through your exams at USYD, but also the various other obstacles you may face during this period.

Like Manchester, the majority of high-weighted exams occur at the end of the semester. Unlike Manchester, there are also ‘hurdle tasks’ which are integral to passing the module. It is important to familiarise yourself with these hurdle tasks, which include tutorial attendance, weekly quizzes and more, before you enrol in a module. You do not want to arrive at the end of the semester, ready for your final exam, and find out you have failed one of these hurdle tasks, as this means you will fail the whole module.

I found myself making good use of the Fisher library at USYD, which offers a huge space with countless computer terminals and infinite charging points. It’s a great place to study and revise. It is also a great idea to make use of your local assigned academic advisor, who can assist you if you have any exam-related queries. It’s easy to forget that you are an international student, who may have never been to Australia before, so stress and worry are completely normal especially during a period of such high academic intensity.

As the exam period proceeds your summer holidays there are a few factors to consider (aside from planning your holiday travels). If you are in University Halls, there will be a considerable amount of admin regarding your contract over the semester break. If you are like me, and do not want to keep your accommodation during the summer, then it is vital to be proactive with this. As a resident of Queen Mary Building, I found myself bogged down in accommodation contracts, unsure which to pick and how best to ensure I had somewhere to live next semester. These emails will begin to arrive early on, and I implore you to attend to them as soon as you can. You will have the option of keeping your room over summer (and continuing to pay rent) or terminating your contract and starting a new one when the next semester begins. In all honesty, the system was not very transparent for me, so do not be afraid to call up the accommodations office and explain your situation or ask for help. Remember, most accommodation applications work on a first-come-first-served basis, so make sure to get there first!

Finally, I will briefly mention the importance of balancing all of this stress with the countless activities that Sydney has to offer. The exams will begin to arrive as the temperatures begin to peak, so make use of the incredible beaches that NSW has to offer. Trust me, it really helps.