Only a year ago, I can recall chatting (or crying) with almost every tutor, convinced that I was going to fail my Preliminary Examinations (Prelims). I would tell them repeatedly how hard I was trying and yet that I felt I was destined to be expelled from the university sooner or later, having to find my next path of either reapplying or searching elsewhere for another university, degree, or possibly a job. I truly believed that the seemingly simple ‘40’ pass mark would not be met.
Yet, here I sit, one year later, a survivor of the dreaded Prelims. And let me tell you, I wish I hadn’t put myself through so much stress in the build-up. Not because they don’t count – because they do and they should be taken seriously. But to the same extent, you should also realise that they don’t mark the end of your degree. They aren’t a sign of what’s going to happen two or three years from now when you take your Finals. They are merely what their name suggests: Preliminary.
This is not intended to be an account of my (very poor) handling of the stress from first year. Rather, this is meant to show everyone taking Prelims this year that any panic you are feeling is entirely valid and natural. Certainly, writing essays or solving problems in Exam Schools is very different to in the confines of your college. The sub fusc that you haven’t worn since matriculation is exciting, but also reflects the significance of these exams. Not to mention the added stress of carnations and ensuring you wear the right one.
But, realistically, none of these factors can change your training in the preceding weeks. Yes, there will be a level of anxiety for anyone entering the examination room, but your tutorials have trained you for this very moment. Whether writing an essay in your bedroom, college hall or Exam Schools, your ability won’t have altered. You’re still capable of achieving the marks you’ve achieved the whole year, completely unrelated to the location of your exam. Yes, Exam Schools may be daunting, but it’s not going to impede your ability to conjure the correct calculations or pen the perfect prose.
It’s all very well me explaining the reasons to not be anxious, but it is a given for many students that there will be fears around taking these exams. Instead, I’ve decided to think of a list of techniques that (could have) helped me when approaching Prelims in the hopes that one or two of these will be able to help reduce any pre-exam nerves.
- Surround yourself with the right people
This applies to both the build-up and the exams itself. In the weeks before Prelims, it’s so important to surround yourself with people who lift you up and motivate you, and are there to support you when it’s all a bit overwhelming. We all handle stress in different ways, but be mindful to spend time with those who won’t make you feel lessened. The last thing you want before your exams is to be demoralised by someone else. In this sense, grades that may be possible to achieve in some subjects just aren’t as realistic in others, and therefore it’s important to remember that your degrees are separate and therefore incomparable. If you notice that someone else’s marks are making yours feel insignificant, perhaps it would be useful to speak to others on your course, rather than compare yourself to an alternative grading system.
Personally, I have always hated the pre-exam buzz, when everyone is cramming with one another in the hope of absorbing that last-minute, possibly-useful piece of information to save their exam. In my experience, I would rather sit calmly in a corner, separate from that bubble of contagious stress, thinking about how I plan to spend my summer. It seems to me that this only causes more panic and opens any gaps you have in your knowledge, therefore reducing your levels of calm when entering the examination room. If you relate to this, perhaps try to turn the conversation elsewhere, or even take yourself to that corner. You are your own priority so do whatever you need to protect your own wellbeing in these moments.
- Speak to your tutors
As I’ve already said, I used this one liberally, but it’s certainly something I recommend. No-one knows these exams better than your tutors do. If you need support in reaching higher marks or mopping up tiny errors, most tutors would be happy to support this, particularly as they have your best interests at heart. It’s not a sign of failure to ask for help. It is a sign of perseverance, determination and mental fortitude. I often sent additional essays to my tutors, and even had others set up weekly additional one-on-one sessions to support my studies, where needed. There’s never harm in asking, and the worst they can say is ‘no’.
Exam periods can also be highly stressful, and tutors are a great source of immediate pastoral support. Whether exam stress or external factors, speaking to them can give some form of guidance. In fact, even speaking about any problem can help reduce it, as the saying ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ actually speaks the truth.
- There is life outside of Prelims
In Trinity, it can feel as though your life is consumed by revision and the thought of Prelims, waiting for that dreaded doomsday to arrive. But, please remember that you have more time than you realise. I’m not saying you should never open a book, but I am saying that a couple of hours away from study is no bad thing. Taking the chance to soak in the sun at Christ Church Meadows or catching up with a friend over coffee is a wonderful way to destress and get yourself out of the library. Oxford is a beautiful city in summer, and, if you’re doing a three-year degree, two of those will, most likely, be spent in exams. Therefore, allow yourself some time to explore and step away from the books and enjoy the city’s stunning scenery.
- Work towards something else
I remember my excitement when my tutor handed out our FHS (Final Honours School) reading list. Finally, there was something else to work towards outside of Prelims, as there was a life that went on beyond that. Whether it’s your studies later in your degree, planning a holiday, or taking up a new hobby, it’s so important to have something to aim towards that’s separate from Prelims altogether as a vital reminder to yourself that life does truly go on after the exam season is finished. After exams, it can be so nice to have something planned for yourself, so go ahead and treat yourself to that concert, book those cinema tickets, or plan a meet-up with your friends from home. Go ahead and set yourself the reminder that when Prelims are over, the work is (temporarily) finished and you can celebrate!
- Your mental well-being your top priority
When exam periods get intense, it can sometimes be easy to consider other factors as time-consuming and less essential. But I’d like to stress, your exams are far less important than your general wellbeing. If you want to go on a run to escape the stress for an hour, go on that run. If you want to cook a proper meal rather than buy another Tesco meal deal, cook that meal. If you want an afternoon to read beneath a tree, read beneath the tree. The world won’t fall down if you take the time to do these things. In fact, it’s when you stop taking the time to do these things that it does fall down. Eating properly is so vital and something that can be easily forgotten during exams, so it’s important to place bare essentials, such as these, as the priority. If you are concerned about your mental wellbeing, please remember that you can reach out to your tutors or to university counselling via their website.
To finish, just remember that life is there for living, and Prelims are only a fleeting moment in the course of your studies. If you need to reach out for support, don’t be afraid to do so. But also please bear in mind that in a year’s time you will also be sat, free from the stress of Prelims. You’ll ponder over how unnecessary the stress all was, and no matter the results, it all worked out well.