The ever-rising death count sweeping the nation almost 2 years after the appearance of COVID-19 is cause for concern in most people, especially students who are currently worried about the outcome of their exams. 

 

With the new Omicron variant rapidly spreading, schools have once again had to adjust to the possibility of end of year exams being cancelled. Students were once again told the grades from their mocks in January would account for their final grades, along with any coursework and tests completed throughout the year, thus adding to the stress of catching up missed work and the disconnect between online lessons and returning to schools. A few students at St Bede’s School were interviewed about this incredible task they were expected to overcome.

 

Most students agreed that their workload was manageable before the first lockdown in March although some admitted they were struggling to keep up and were relieved that their exams had been cancelled. When asked to compare their current workload with their studies pre-Covid, one student explained that the amount of material hasn’t changed “but the way we handle it has”, a wonderful summary of how challenges presented by Covid have helped to mature students in terms of their modus operandi. 

 

Every student confessed to feeling more pressure from the expectations they had to meet: performing well in all lessons, completing multiple assignments within the same deadline and earning high grades through TAGs instead of exams, all within a matter of weeks. One student expressed her desire for a more normal school setting in which the urgent atmosphere they are currently experiencing isn’t present. To cope with these high levels of anxiety, some students prefer to work hard to stay on top of their courses while others value spending some time alone to relax. 

 

This year’s A Level students are at an extreme disadvantage compared to other years since they were not able to take their GCSE exams and most likely won’t be able to take their A Levels either, which indicates that those who plan to attend university next year will have to work extra hard to manage their time appropriately. Students concurred that not being able to take their GCSEs affected the way they handled revision for A Levels. 

 

Ultimately Covid has negatively impacted students from all over the country, and the world, forcing them to adapt to the unnatural circumstances with an unexpected level of maturity.