Here is an article I've written for the National Union of Students, asking whether or not universities in the UK should stop scheduling exams in January.
Should universities stop scheduling exams after Christmas?
So, you’ve worked hard over the semester, you’ve went to every single lecture and handed in a dozen essays and assignments. Its nearly the Christmas break and you’re more than ready to go home, relax, eat lots of food and celebrate the best time of year, Christmas. However, you can’t because of January exams. This means you can’t quite sit back and relax during your much-needed break. Instead, you must somehow devise a revision timetable in between all the festive activities, no matter how burnt out you are.
When I studied my undergraduate degree, I found it difficult revising over my Christmas break, the last thing I wanted to do over my well-deserved break was revision. So, with students up and down the country finding this time of year stressful thanks to exams, should universities recognise students need a revision-free Christmas break?
I spoke to Ruth, a first-year Law student at Dundee University. She expressed her annoyance of having to study over her break, after an already hectic first semester.
“I would much prefer my university to schedule exams well before Christmas. By allowing students to go back to university after Christmas without exams looming, would make you feel much more refreshed and ready take on the second semester.
“You don’t feel like you’re having a break if you have to spend it revising. It can feel overwhelming knowing you’ve got exams when you go back to university, you can’t properly unwind.”
Katie, a business management student at Northumbria, agrees with how stressing it can be.
“I struggle loads. I don't want to spend my time off revising or writing assignments especially during Christmas when there are so many other things to do.
“It's really difficult around this time of year because family visit and there are so many get-togethers that you want to attend. Revision and deadlines are always at the back of my mind and I always feel guilty not doing them!”
However, Hannah, a trainee teacher at Stranmillis University College in Belfast, recognises how having exams in January can be beneficial.
“Like everyone, I would rather spend my Christmas relaxing and having fun. But university modules need to be assessed.
“Last year I had all my exams in May and that was pretty hard-going. I had lots of different exams for different modules and it was stressful trying to revise modules from earlier in the year.
“Stranmillis is moving towards having all exams at the end of the year and there are students who are very pleased about that.
“However as a teacher to be, I understand the need for assessment. Having exams in January breaks the work-load up and takes off some of the stress from the end of the year.”
Tom, a journalism student at City University, London, is against universities leaving all their exams till the end of the year.
“Having all your exams to do at the end of the year would be too intense.”
“Granted, it's far from ideal to send students back into the stress cycle straight after finishing first semester. But if doing so means they'll suffer less come the end-of-year exam season, then perhaps it's a necessary evil.”
Whether you have exams after Christmas or not, it is important to allow yourself time to unwind and relax over the festive period. Create an effective revision timetable and make sure you allow yourself time to work and relax. Don’t forget to take well-earned breaks and do try to enjoy your festive break this Christmas, despite any looming exams!
Thanks for reading!
Niamh x
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