Exams, Pressure, and Late-Night Study Camps with Friends

 

“Exams may end, but memories like these stay forever.”

                Exams – the word itself brings back a mix of emotions. The pressure, the sleepless nights, and the constant flipping through textbooks. But for me, it wasn’t just about marks or ranking. It was about the people I went through it all with.

      I’ve never been a typical “study all day” kind of girl. I listened in class, paid attention when teachers explained, and before exams, I simply revised my notes and textbooks. I wasn’t into long-hour study sessions. If I missed a class due to practices or school duties, my friends were there to fill me in without hesitation. When exam season arrived, we studied together. If I understood a lesson well, I’d teach it to others. And when I struggled, they were right there for me. We shared knowledge, notes, stress, and even success. We failed together. We passed together. We grew together.

               There’s a special part of those memories I’ll never forget. Before exams, my best friend and I would always go to the school chapel to pray , not just for ourselves, but for the whole class. Others joined in too. We believed that even if we weren’t fully prepared, God would help us  ,And  he always did.

              Especially during Grade 13, things were even more challenging. We barely had time to focus on studies because we had so many responsibilities as prefects and school captains. But even with our schedules packed, we never left each other behind. We stood by one another and made time   even if it meant late-night phone calls, group chats filled with notes, and quick revision in between duties.

              One funny memory still makes me smile. During our Grade 13 midterm general English paper, it was raining heavily. Some students from areas near the Kelani River were suddenly asked to leave because of flood risks. The rector made an urgent announcement, and they had to hand over their half - finished papers and run to their vans. While they rushed around grabbing their things, the rest of us were still writing and trying to focus but laughing at the chaotic moment.

         In our school, we couldn’t enter the exam hall until prayer time. So each morning, the upper section looked like little groups of students with bags and books in hand, standing around and chatting. No last-minute cramming – just friendship and quiet support.

             

“Study camps: the reason exams
didn’t break us.”

But what truly kept us going were our late-night study calls. They weren’t just study sessions – they were full of jokes, moral support, shared doubts,  and sleepy “You still there?” check-ins. Our group chats transformed into hubs of motivation. No one was ever truly alone. Even if we felt nervous or unprepared, someone was always there to say, “We’ve got this.”

We even had night study campaigns hosted by our sectional head fathers. Those nights were filled with laughter, focused study, and special snacks brought by our mothers. It wasn’t just about academics — it was about togetherness, effort, and love.

                      At the Christmas prize giving, our class received a  special award for our Academic Performances of the Year. I had the honor of receiving the prize from our rector — not just as the class monitor, but representing a group who truly earned it together. I still remember that moment clearly. That prize wasn’t just a trophy; it was proof of what we were as a class — united, determined, and full of heart.

"Receiving this award from our rector , not just for myself, but on behalf of the most hardworking, supportive, and loving class I’ve ever known. We earned it together.”

Looking back, those exam days weren’t just stressful days. They were filled with heart. They were proof of how beautiful friendship, teamwork, and little traditions can make even the hardest times feel special.

Because in the end, it wasn’t the grades that mattered most — it was the journey we took together.