Holidays midst Exams

Imagine this: you have an examination spanning over two weeks. Every other day is a holiday so that you get a day to study. It is quiet a tough examination. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is a long vacation. Let’s say that you are a week into the examination. There’s a rhythm. Suddenly due to something or the other, a holiday is announced, postponing the exam that was to take place that day. What’s your reaction?

Before I go into the contents of this post, let me describe how a typical exam in India (my homeland) takes place. The exam is usually held for a period of approximately 20 days. There are study holidays in between. The tension for the students is quiet high as the exam drags on and on. In these cases a sudden change in the schedule can be quiet frustrating.

Personally, I get affected. I lose my flow and I have to sacrifice one of my precious vacation days because of the exam. The exams are now a day longer, which adds to the tension.

Of course, there are nerds and geeks who will find the prospect of an extra day for studying very exciting. Fortunately or unfortunately, I am not one of them. I have no issues with studying. I want to perform well in the examinations. But if the examinations affect my vacations, I get pissed off. As a wise gentleman/lady said so long ago, All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

In India, heavy rains (really heavy rains) can lead to declaration of holidays for 2 to 3 days. If that happens during exams, I get pissed off. If it happens during a regular school day, I jump for joy. What can I say? Circumstances change people!

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I’d like to learn about the other systems of education around the world. If any could tell me about it (in an email or in the comments section) I’d be indebted. Thanks in advance!