Time flies! Before we know it, days change into weeks and the weeks into months. It seems only yesterday when the new academic year began. Students entered their new classes with a gleam of anticipation in their eyes.

The air was filled with the crisp aroma of new books, stationery and bags which were proudly displayed to each other.

Newcomers were introduced and the students settled down to the new syllabus and teachers.

But now the academic year is nearly over and the countdown to the final examinations has begun.

Students react differently to this particular period of their school life. When the date of the exams is announced and the syllabus is given out, some appear comfortable and composed, some a bit nervous and jittery, while a few look totally confused and depressed. It all depends on their attitude towards their education and the way they divided their time between studies and leisure activities the year around.

The students among us, who have been regular in attending school, always completed and submitted their assignments on time and properly learned their lessons, have no nervous moments or shaky knees when the exam timetable is announced.

But those, who get back to their studies and take their education seriously only when the exams loom over their head, may not be very comfortable these days. They suffer from loss of appetite and a general gloomy mood as sleepless nights and anxious days become their lot till the day they appear for their last paper. And then with butterflies fluttering in their stomachs, they wait for the D-Day, i.e. the day the result would be announced.

“What’s in an exam?” Ayesha, a student of class eight, says with a shrug, a confident smile on her face. “We are asked the same things we have been learning throughout the year.” A student with a high IQ, she goes about her usual routine during the exams. As she divides her time between all activities in a balanced manner throughout the year, she feels she has to do no extra studies when the examinations are around the corner. Aasma, a student of O levels, shares her childhood experience, “Whenever the timetable and syllabus for the final exams was given out, I used to break into cold sweat.

Although I am not a bad student and try to remain regular in my studies, exams always make me nervous. When I was in junior classes, often while appearing for a test, I remember being taken to the sick room after vomiting or due to severe headache.

“Thankfully, my mother is very reassuring as she understands my weakness. In my room, she has set up a poster on which she has written in bold letters, ‘YOU CAN AND YOU SHALL’! Reading these lines everyday gave me confidence and eventually, I have managed to get over my childhood fear of exams.”

Humaira, a student of class 10 says, “Last year I appeared for the board examinations which was a totally new experience for me. Over the years, I had developed the habit of taking my studies casually the year around. Turning a deaf ear to my parents’ admonishments, I wasted time watching television and surfing on the net for long hours. Hanging around with friends and going on unnecessary shopping sprees were my favourite pastimes. Only when the exams drew near, I would give up all these activities and study as much as I could. But last minute studies, hectic days and sleepless nights took their toll and I would just manage to pass the exams each year.”

She adds wistfully, “After getting only average grades in my 9th class examinations, I have learnt my lesson the very hard way. This year is very important for me as I want to improve my grades to attain my future goals. I have worked really hard from the beginning of the session, wasting no time on leisure activities. Now I am looking forward to the exams with confidence and hope to do much better this year.”

This is the most crucial part of the year for all students. The countdown to the final exams has begun. Those students who think they are well-prepared should double check their lessons, in case they are overconfident. The nervous types need to go over their syllabus repeatedly. By writing down what you have learnt and having it checked by your parents, teacher or an elder sibling, you can boost your confidence.

According to Robert Collier, “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” Making this quote our motto in life will pave the path to success not only in the yearly school exams but all other aspects of our future life.