Emma Narvaez
February may be the month of love for some, but for those facing their IGCSE or IB mock exams, it is the month of pure dread. This February, Saint Maur’s 10th and 12th graders took mock exams in their respective groups of subjects in preparation for their IGCSE or IB exams held in May. As these students experience the pressure of cramming information learned over the course of up to one and a half years, sleep is scarce and stress is abundant. To better understand this experience some may know as “cramming season”, I interviewed some sophomores and seniors who are currently preparing for their IGCSE and IB mock exams.
When asked how the past month has been, one senior, Yoojung, stated, “At some point you start giving up.” Another senior, Jessica, agreed, stating: “Let’s say you have six tests and so you only pick three out of those six that you actually need to get a good grade on and the other three you just have to believe in yourself and wing it by reading the material the day before and hoping that it’s in your head.” Clearly, the immense stress associated with mocks season is notorious for a reason. The constant pressure to do well on each exam along with additional tasks such as college applications or extracurriculars can often lead students to feel burned out and find themselves slacking off on important assignments.
Despite the increasing desperation to quit, students continue in their attempt to balance their studies with their mental health and other responsibilities. Jessica suggested studying in the morning because you will be able to “prioritize your brain power for the important stuff first.” She explained that “you have to think about where you should put your limited brain power.” Additionally, she emphasized the importance of having a positive mindset, stating: “it’s all about the mindset. If you have the potato mindset, you can’t get anywhere.” Shana, another senior, added that it’s essential to “romanticize” the studying process and approach it with enthusiasm. With a healthy outlook on each test, she explained that you will be able to walk into the exam room with confidence. Finally, Yoojung recommended going to a cute cafe with “a friend you can actually study with and not talk to.” Finding a suitable study space can make the preparation process much more enjoyable, thus romanticizing the experience, as Shana previously suggested.
Furthermore, to manage stress and anxiety related to the mock exams, a sophomore, Akari, explained that taking a break can be very beneficial throughout the process. “You have to have days where you don’t do anything. You have to stop and then you can resume.” It’s crucial that students have some form of escape to maintain their well-being as they persevere through their strenuous studies. Shana and Jessica also elaborated on how it’s important to find ways to relieve stress. Shana explained: “If you’re really, really stressed and you’re bottling it up, you should go on a run.” For many people, physical exercise is an effective way to alleviate anxiety and improve productivity. On the other hand, Jessica stressed the importance of crying it out so that you can “put yourself back together afterwards.” Although some may disagree, releasing pent-up emotions can help to heal and enhance an individual’s future progress.
Overall, this past month has been a tiresome one for sophomores and seniors but hopefully served valuable lessons that will prepare them for challenges that lie ahead throughout their academic and personal pursuits. During stressful times like these, it’s important that students find methods that suit their needs and allow them to manage their time and personal health. Congratulations to all the sophomores and seniors for surmounting the dreaded mock exams, and best of luck on the official ones! As for the freshmen and juniors, take this opportunity to appreciate the respite from the intense pressure of mock season this year.
Emma Narvaez