Under pressure . . . the students hit back

TEENAGERS across the borough are getting set to knuckle down and start revising for those all important exams.

The media is littered with reports of how exams are getting easier year after year and how the percentage score needed for the top grades is being lowered.

But what kind of pressure does this put students under and do they really think it is getting easier to achieve good exam results?

DAWN ECKERSLEY spoke to second-year students at Oldham Sixth Form College to find out.

SOPHIE Wright (17), who is studying applied art and PE, said: “I don’t think exams are getting any easier. They may not be getting any harder but there is definitely more pressure on us because of media reports saying it is easier to pass.

“These reports make me more determined to do well.

“I really want to get everyone who says exams are getting easier to sit the exams themselves so they can see what it is really like.”

Salina Jabeen (18), who is studying health and social care, sociology and Urdu, said: “The structure of courses now means you need more marks to get the good grades so it is definitely getting harder.

“Exam time is really stressful and there is already enough pressure on us without people saying we get it easy.”

Kelly Williams (17), who is studying English language, sociology and performance studies, said: “It really frustrates me when I hear people saying exams are getting easier.

“We are under a lot of pressure and I am always worrying about exams. I don’t think people understand what we have to go through and how hard it actually is.

“We have no social life and when you do get good grades it takes the shine off when people say how easy the exams are.”

Laura Muttock (17), who is studying English literature, drama and history, said: “I completely disagree with people who say exams are getting easier. The amount of pressure we are under is worsened by these reports because people expect more.

“Trying to secure a place at university is very stressful and people have to try even harder to get good grades because it is so competitive.

“Only the best grades will do, which really puts the pressure on.”

Kim Hughes (18), who is studying psychology, sociology and IT, said: “I find it really annoying when people say exams are getting easier. There is already so much pressure with course work and revision.

“Because of competition to get into university, some grades are now seen as poor when they are actually good and it can knock your confidence and be really disheartening.”

Louise Day (18), who is studying psychology, sociology and English literature, said: “Exams are definitely not getting easier and every subject has its own demands.

“The media never gives teenagers credit for their achievements and would rather say the exams are getting easier than say we are getting brighter.

“Everyone forgets the other things we have to do, such as get a part-time job to fund our travel to college and equipment, and it can be impossible to fit it all in. We have no time to ourselves at all.”

Alasdair Tweedale (17), who is studying biology, psychology and health and social care, said: “I find all my subjects really interesting but I have mild dyslexia so I sometimes struggle to cope with all the coursework and revision.

“There is lots of pressure on us and the jump from GCSEs is huge. The amount of work we have to do outside college is huge but I’m learning how to plan my time so I can still get out to blow off steam.”

Biology, chemistry and psychology student Sam Henshaw (17) said: “I think anyone who says exams are getting easier clearly hasn’t tried to do one recently.

“Doing A-Levels is really stressful and pressured so it is really demoralising when the media says exams are getting easier. It belittles our achievements.

“Instead of congratulating us when we do well, the media knocks us down. It’s not fair.”