Turning the corner (Zoë)

Halfway there – two subjects completely finished, and two more to go. I don’t feel as satisfied as I thought I would – maybe tomorrow when it’s 3:1.

Yesterday I handed in my Cinema Studies final essay – two days early, which was quite an achievement. I wanted to get it out of the way before my exams, but I wasn’t sure if that was a practical aim. But I did it, and I felt pretty happy about the essay in the end.

Today I had my first university exam – Biology of Cells and Organisms. I was pretty nervous beforehand, as I always am. It’s a pretty humbling experience, being one of thousands of people sitting exams. I have no idea how many different classes were on when I was there, but it was definitely more than just Biol. Probably more than 3. I thought the paper was pretty good. There was only one part where I felt stumped, which was one of the extended answer questions. I know what protogyny is, but writing a whole 10 marks on it? I just made some stuff up, and hopefully I’ll get some marks here and there.

A tip for everyone with exams in the Royal Exhibition Building – wear something WARM. It’s cold, particularly when you’re sitting still for three hours. I dressed in layers, but I was still shivering a bit by the end.

Chemistry is tomorrow morning. I really wanted an extra day or so between the two, but now that I’m here, I just want to get it over and done with. I’m feeling okay about Chem, although I am pretty tired after Biol, and I don’t feel like doing a whole lot of study tonight. I’ll just have to hope I’ve done some good study in the last week or so to get me through the paper.

And after that, just the one more essay to write, for Science, Philosophy and History. Which I haven’t started. But I have a whole week, and I’ve done some of the research, so I think I should be okay. And after a week of Cinema Essay-Biol-Chem alternation, it will be nice just to focus all my time onto the one thing. Then holidays! There is light at the end of this tunnel, after all.

Hope everyone else’s exams and essays are going well. A thing to remember is that we all made it into one of the best universities in the country. We’ve also made it through our first semester of university – let’s be proud of our achievements so far, and in terms of marks, essays and exams, just try not to let the stress get too overwhelming.