THE MOMENT OF TRUTH: FINAL EXAMS

The scariest thing children in Jamaica could hear from their parents is the ultimate threat: [In Jamaican] “If yuh carry nuh failing grade come in ya, watch me and you!” [Translation] “If you even attempt to get less than 100% on your exams, you’re toast!” Sadly, some parents didn’t understand what it’s like dealing with demanding professors and keeping up with extra-curricular activities, clubs and societies; as such they place the weight upon our shoulders to only achieve perfect marks. This is the most critical time, as weight-loss or weight-gain is likely to occur from stress-related snacking, your hair falls out and those rings appear around the eyes from lack of sleep (and the haunting thoughts of whether you are going to pass or fail).

On the other hand, we have our professors. They outline exactly what is to be done; sometimes, we do just that and exceed expectations and it is still not enough. Some professors just cannot be pleased, no matter what you do! You follow their instructions – not good enough; you don’t follow their instructions – makes it even worse! Sometimes, you are left with nothing to do, but throw up your hands and leave everything to fate. Often, we study for days and not a single word of what we have studied appears on the exam.

I grew up in the Jamaican tradition of “100% or nothing!” and I used to be so paranoid when doing my exams. So much so, that my brain would go blank for 50% of the exam, and the other 50% is spent writing unnecessary fillers to make up my word count on essay questions.

Studying, for me, was also traditional. My friends and I would gather around and “bill a chune” [compose a song] about a particular topic: [Tune: Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough”]

    V.1        “The Earth… is an oblate sphere,

                   It has 3 defining layers… (oooh)

                  Crust… (oh crust now) Mantle, and the Core!

                  The deepest, is made from iron ore… (oooh!)

Cho.          The crust… is the outer part!

                 (It is where the oceans are!)

                Below, is the mantle shelf!

               (Earthquakes occur from here!) (rept.)

I used that song to aid in my Geology exam recently and man, was I glad I got that idea from back home. Exams, in any country, aren’t meant to be easy, but in Jamaica, there is so much emphasis placed on perfection and excellence that it becomes apart of you. Once you are grown in that tradition, it becomes a part of your daily routine. As you get older, you live with the idea that only the best will do! ~JGIC

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars.--Les Brown

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Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies Major in Nova Scotia, Canada.