EARLIER this year, I walked through the school gates, knowing it would be my final year as a secondary school student.
The realisation that the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exams were drawing closer intimidated me greatly.
I always viewed the SPM as a terrifying ordeal and a monumental challenge. It’s hard to believe it’s now my turn to sit for the exams.
It doesn’t help that the SPM has been pushed forward this year, leaving most schoolteachers scrambling to complete the syllabus so there’s time for revision.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the academic sessions for the past few years had been disrupted. Hence, instead of starting in January, the sessions had begun in March.
SPM exams had also been extended to end in March to give students more time to complete the syllabus.
But my batchmates and I have been asked to prepare for the exams to be held as early as November this year.
As you can imagine, this caused an uproar among us, with everyone hastening to plan their studies in order to prepare themselves adequately.
My school, moreover, has implemented extra classes on Saturdays and extended school hours for Form Five students on specific days – all to give each subject teacher sufficient time to cover the syllabus more quickly.
Some of my teachers even conduct online classes at night or on weekends through their own initiative.
I’ve been diligently studying every day after school, often burning the midnight oil to complete my academic goals for the day.
Anxiety consumes me as the exams draw closer, overwhelming and ever-present. I find myself constantly worrying if I’ve studied enough, if what I studied is relevant and if I’ll perform well.
With co-curricular activities at school and tuition activities, it’s hard to focus and fight off the sluggishness after school when attempting to do revision. However, I try to cope by taking short breaks, practising deep breathing and occasionally fuelling myself with sugar.
Despite the anxiety, I’m determined to stay focused and do my best in preparation for the exams.
My friends and family have been my main source of support, helping me alleviate my stress and keeping me motivated. I’m extremely thankful for them. To all fellow SPM 2024 candidates, despite the time crunch we’re facing, let’s stay focused and strive to the best of our abilities. I’m sure our hard work will pay off!
Sucheitah, 17, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s
Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.
1 How do you manage your anxiety for exams? Discuss with your friends.
2 Using words and pictures from the newspaper, create a card to encourage a friend who has an important exam coming up. Once done, present the card to him or her. Have fun!
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes the use of English language in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
