Students in UAE gear up to face exams during Ramadan

Dubai - Some of them have adopted a few techniques to help them through their finals.

Students in the UAE will have to write their final year examinations this year, while fasting over 10 hours. While this may stress out many of the students, some of them have adopted a few techniques to help them through their finals.
Aya Abu Ahmad will be taking five exams during the month; however, she does not believe it will affect her performance. She plans to study ahead of Ramadan to ensure that the amount of memorising she has to do while fasting is reduced.
"I do not believe it will affect my performance, since I will make sure that I am well prepared bef-orehand. I will ensure to study for all my exams before Ramadan. So, that will lessen the amount of work I have to do while fasting. I will also wake up to have Suhoor, ensuring I have enough energy for the tests," she said.
Grade-10 student Jana El Khatib will also be fasting during five of her exams. "I am in the middle of taking my final IGCSE examinations. Due to an overlap between Ramadan and the exam schedule, I will be fasting during five exams. I don't believe this will affect my results to a great extent, since fasting does not tire me that much. I have also started studying for these exams in advance and that should hopefully ease any strain during the fasting period," she said.
Meanwhile, Grade 12-student Noura Emara will also be taking her end-of-year exams in Ramadan. She plans to revise during the non-fasting hours to ensure she is ready to take the exams while fasting. "I will be fasting while taking my end-of-year exams; however, for my final GCSE English examination, I might not fast for one day," Emara said.
"I have started revision to make sure that when Ramadan comes, I will just be reviewing the topics since I will be tired then. Also, the non-fasting hours is when most of my revision will take place. So I hope to get good results."
A humanitarian organisation, International SOS, is raising awareness among students, teachers and parents in the UAE, as most students will take their final exams during Ramadan this year.
Dr Issam Badaoui, medical director at International SOS in Dubai, said: "Though Ramadan has fallen during the school term over the past few years, this year most students will be preparing end-of-year projects and taking final exams before the Eid Al Fitr break in mid-June. So, we are dedicating our annual awareness efforts to the education sector, to help ensure a smooth and successful end-of-term period for students, staff and parents alike.
Dr Badaoui notes that residents are fortunate to live in a country where shorter school and work hours are permitted for those fasting. "That is why I like to remind people of all ages and lifestyles that they can use Ramadan as an opportunity to get their health and wellbeing back on track. In reality, most of the medical advice we offer should be applied throughout the year, as part of a balanced, beneficial lifestyle."
He also pointed out that younger generations now seem to be taking a greater interest in nutrition and exercise. "At International SOS, we are keen to champion wellness and ultimately contribute to the prevention of avoidable, lifestyle-related noncommunicable diseases such as Type 2 diabetes," he said.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai