Eve of the promotional exams

My renewed vigour in blogging is a testament to the increased free time I have on my hands as my teaching responsibilities draw to a close. Tomorrow is the start of the promotional exams, and while marking 120 essays is not a task I particularly look forward to, it is still a welcomed change from the hectic rush of a teaching week.

I have never been so "consulted" in the last few days as students made a mad rush to clarify doubts. While it's heartening to see them trying their best during this critical period, it would have been far more effective if they had consulted me earlier in the term and had the opportunities to put their knowledge to practice.

Teachers are of course just as anxious (sometimes more) than the students. Having marked their assignments, we know that they are not as prepared as we would have liked them to be, and a quick check around the staff room will stir up similar sentiments as colleagues groan that students still cannot distinguish well-articulated arguments from frivolous examples. Well, we have done what we could by now, and we have very little say from this point on about how well they will do. (An irony, considering that we are the ones who will mark their exam scripts) We can only hope that our incessant nagging and countless reminders will take them through this time of trial.

My students are beginning to look like walking zombies. I tasked Rayson to find me a working OHP from the next classroom that day, and when he returned wheeling the OHP along, he looked so haggard, pallid and lifeless that the OHP looks more animated next to him. In fact, he reminded me of a common sight in hospitals: sickly old men shuffling along hospital corridors, pushing along the metal structure which supports the intravenous drip that is hooked up to them. Gosh, is it that bad? Are we sucking their very life force out of them?

Anyway, except for a handful of students, I can honestly say that most of my students are already sufficiently equipped to do well (a relative term of course) in the exam and there is no real need for undue stress. (even though teachers are not easily satisfied and will always ask for more) It's just the fear that their scripts will not reflect their best abilities, which would certainly be a cause for regret. Hang in there, all my dearest students, and stay in one piece.