Exams & Deadlines

In many ways the student world is cut off from life for the rest of the world. This difference is noticeable in everyday life. But at no point in time is it more marked than this time of year.

The exams are on again. The temptation is to shut yourself away, and study, study, study. And whilst studying is the reason us students are at university, that's not the whole picture either. Life is life - it's a whole, made up of subordinate parts. Often that means balancing saying goodbyes at the end of a year for example, coincides with needing to studying well as you approach the finish. It all comes at us at once and often we're not at liberty to decide "what can I focus on this week?" - it's dictated by your circumstances. We mustn't fall into the trap of thinking that everything else can wait for a few weeks while we focus on exams. Life goes on. And the things which sustain you in everyday life are just as important (probably more important) to keep going during stressful times as they are in normal life. Sleep. Food. Friendship. Relationship with God.

I had an exam this morning which went really well. Two more to go before I'm done. And while I'll write a short post on this blog each day, the length posts will betray the fact that I'm actually a student in the middle of exams!

It's a case of being consistent really. We can't suspend reality while a university puts on exams. We do work towards exams and make sure we're honouring God in our work, but it's important and helpful for us to remember that our work isn't Lord of all: that's Jesus.