SURVIVING THE WAIT FOR EXAM RESULTS

James Klusener

@jamesklusener

 

Waiting for exam results can be a uniquely stressful experience. Whether you are anticipating the outcome of a second-opportunity assessment or still waiting for marks from the first round, the anxiety of refreshing your inbox—or dreading the email notification—is a familiar reality for many students.

 

Fortunately, there are ways to stop this stress from overwhelming your entire holiday. I spoke to several friends, whose identities remain known to Wapad, about the strategies they use to manage result-day anxiety.

 

One friend recommended prayer. For students who are religious, confiding in a higher power can provide a sense of calm and grounding. Another suggested switching off Outlook notifications. While that may feel extreme (I personally know I’d just end up refreshing the app obsessively), it can be effective if you’re disciplined. Just remember to turn them back on in time—you definitely don’t want to miss registration.

 

It is also worth avoiding the inevitable “post-mortem” discussions that flood WhatsApp module groups. We all know the sinking feeling when someone asks, “Did you get 42 for Question 3?” and you definitely do not recall writing anything close to 42. These debates often trigger unnecessary panic.

 

It’s important to remember that everyone is stressed, and exam-day memory is notoriously unreliable. Muting or archiving these groups—even temporarily—is a strategy I highly recommend. The paper is written; no debate will change what you submitted.

 

Another helpful mindset is refusing to treat the holiday as a “waiting room.” It’s easy to put your life on pause until that email arrives, whether you’re still on campus or already home. Try to enjoy your break for what it is, not for what you’re waiting for.

 

Personally, I try to detach from the exam entirely. Over-analysing your answers or replaying potential mistakes is unproductive and only fuels anxiety. What’s done is done.

 

Talking to friends can also make a significant difference. After opening up about my own worries, I felt a noticeable sense of relief.

 

Ultimately, trust the process and remind yourself that the hard work is behind you. You deserve to enjoy your holiday—regardless of the outcome.

 

 

Edited by Simoné de Witt