In the library at NTNU in Ålesund, there are three excited 19-year-olds who are all about to take exams for the first time since junior high school. – It’s a bit scary, considering the time pressure, says Celina Leidland Assersen, who studies marketing, innovation and management. First exam for the Koronakulla Koronakulla has not had an exam at secondary school. This year was the third year in a row that it was canceled due to the pandemic. The three students notice that there is a lot of talk about how the exam will be. At NTNU in Ålesund, the students have been offered to take part in a trial exam, which all three have taken advantage of. – It was nice to gain insight into the system, how it works and who we should contact if something goes wrong, says Celina. Photo: Remi Sagen / news – We lack experience, so it’s a bit stressful. I’m most nervous about failing, says Sara Langlo, who started bioengineering in the autumn. Bioengineering student Magdalena Mehari thinks it has been an abrupt transition for many to start higher education. But she believes that they also learned a lot during the corona pandemic. – Then we had to plan the days and work on the syllabus ourselves, so we’ve had some training on that. Even though this will be their first exam, they have still made up their minds about what is a good idea to do. Here are their best tips: – Don’t just be stressed Susanne Bjørge Rem works at the Students’ Association in Ålesund. They feel that there are now more people who book conversations and want advice and guidance. Susanne Bjørge Rem at the Students’ Association in Gjøvik, Ålesund and Trondheim (Sit), notices that many students are stressed before the exam. Especially those who have not had their final exam due to the corona pandemic. Photo: Remi Sagen / news – We see that those who have not been through this before are perhaps a little worse at study technique and concentrating. The fact that it’s the first time is scary and can create extra stress because they don’t quite know what they’re getting into. Rem says they work to show the students that they are not alone in feeling stressed before the exam. – Although stress is a negative term, it can also be positive, because it means that you are sharp and ready to start the work that is needed to complete an exam or meet a submission deadline. Her best tip is: Lower your shoulders and give yourself some slack. Work with the negative thoughts that you won’t get it done or won’t reach your goal. Talk to study friends, guidance counselors or family to reduce stress. Think that what you do is good enough. – It’s important to get enough sleep Sleep is also important for presenting, says Rolf Viddal at the Students’ Association. Not only on exams, but also when you have to read and learn new things. Rolf Viddal says it is important to get enough sleep in order to perform at your best. Photo: SiT – Sleep moves knowledge from short-term memory to long-term memory. Reaction time improves and you solve tasks better. It is also important to sleep enough and well when you first sleep. Figures from the students’ health survey show that 33 per cent of students struggle with sleep difficulties, and the trend is increasing. He believes increasing mobile phone use, and the fact that many people use their mobile phones in bed, are among the reasons why more people are sleeping less and worse. His best advice is: Have good sleeping habits. Try to get up and go to bed at regular times. Also on weekends. The bedroom should not be a study. Do not bring work to bed, then you may feel that you are also at work when you go to sleep. Try to create a separation between school and free time so that you can relax when you are at home. Try to reduce stress, it leads to better sleep. – Be out in good time and start early Advice from Linda Midtbust Hjelle at NTNU Careers are perhaps bad news for those students who had plans to take a skipper before graduation. Linda Midtbust Hjelle asks the students not to be too strict with themselves. Photo: Remi Sagen / news – Be out in good time and start early. Make good use of the time leading up to the exam and try to make good plans. Get an overview of what you should be able to do and prioritize what you need to practice more. In addition, it is important to be well prepared on the day of the exam itself, she says: Pack your bag and what you will be taking with you the night before, so that you get a good night’s sleep. Show up in good time. Be prepared so that you know both where to meet and what aids you can take with you, and you will remove some of the unnecessary stress. Looking forward to the Christmas holidays And if things don’t work out for the students, Hjelle says they shouldn’t be too hard on themselves. – Be satisfied with what you are able to accomplish and the material you have come through. Back with the three first-year students, this year’s exam is still the theme. And they look forward to getting it over with. – I think the first one will be the most difficult, because it is so new, so the next ones will probably be better. After that, it’s the Christmas holidays, so there’s at least something to look forward to, says Magdalena with a smile. Sara, Celine and Magdalena are all looking forward to finishing their exams by Christmas. Photo: Remi Sagen / news
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Many students have never had a school exam before – this is the experts’ best advice – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
