I’m in sixth year and have just sat Highers in biology, business management, English and history. I’m awaiting the exam results tomorrow, which I hope will give me the grades needed to attend university, to work towards a degree in social work. But the process of exams - and even daily school life - can be difficult and I have had to find coping mechanisms to help me.

I break my time at Craigroyston Community High School down into two sections. My earlier years, S1-S3, were spent making a strong network of peers and building solid relationships with teachers which, at the time, I didn’t realise would be as beneficial as they have been. The second section, from S4 to now and beyond, has been dedicated to moulding my future.

In this second section, “revision” has become a shadowy constant in my vocabulary, and the word “exam” swelled in my throat every time I spoke. I faced a lot of self-doubt, and would often mumble, “I can’t do this.” This is where the network came in: within seconds of my face resembling a heightened picture of disbelief over the work facing me, someone would recognise that and my fears would be met with reassurances, frequently from a teacher.

Banishing self-doubt

Exams are nerve-racking and I often think back to the fragile girl I was in S4, who lived by the motto of “If I don’t try, I’ll never fail”. I truly believe that this is the embedded mindset of most teens. However, overcoming this ridiculous belief was the best thing that’s ever happened, setting me off on my mission to achieve my dreams. In order to learn, mistakes have to be made. After my first set of exams, I pinpointed my “grey areas” - everyone has them - and I used these weaknesses as a window, as something not to avoid but to step through towards achieving something. 

The revision process for exams is what determines the end result in August. There are other factors - walking into an exam with a negative mindset, in the wrong emotional or mental state, can certainly make the contents of that pretty SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) envelope fall apart come August. However, finding the right revision method is a necessity, and I’ve discovered that, for me, each subject has a different one, from mind maps to flash cards.

A cliché it may be, but what you put into it something is what you get out of it. Now, I look to exams as a way to showcase my hard work: the grade I want is achievable, but the effort has to go into that. 

I’d encourage every individual to find an incentive to keep them going through this difficult time studying for crucial exams, something that works for them. Mine was the idea that education forms my building blocks to success. I was once told by a teacher - to use a similar metaphor - that education is my golden ticket out. Everyone’s circumstances and backgrounds are different but one thing remains the same: you, and only you, can decide where you want to go in life. This small piece of advice opened an entire ocean of opportunity for me. I come from a family where university was never an option and that has pushed me to pursue my dreams, and get where I want to be. I want to go to university and I want a career.

I’d also advise pupils to find what they have a flair for - for me that was writing, but everyone has something. I was able to use words to express myself and, from this, English became my anchor. The English department in school guided me through this personal growth and rising self-awareness, and for this I’ll always be grateful. 

The bond with teachers

My time at CCHS has allowed me to develop in many ways. The bond I have with my teachers across the school has helped to shape me into who I am today. From being the newly elected head girl to a member of our sports council, I have found relationships in various aspects of school, and all of these have helped me.

Exams are stressful, but with them comes the satisfaction at the end of it all. I hope this article will help pupils relax and realise that you can be whoever you want to be and your dreams can come true - but hard work must always be behind it. I wait in anticipation for tomorrow, but with excitement knowing that I’ve done everything I could to the point where that SQA envelope will drop through my door in the morning.

Caly Horribine is about to start S6, her final year at Craigroyston Community High School in Edinburgh