As this is the time where we are moving from one year to another, a time to reflect maybe, I thought I’d link the natural world to something I put on the other end of the spectrum of fun. Exams. The dreaded word has been said, bear with me.
Let’s set the scene. So everyone in Phoenix is around the age that has to go through the education system seriously. If I could still play with Playdoh and sand castles in lessons then I would, but we all have to move on. Seriously though we have all, or will all have to do GCSEs at some point and A-levels if you choose. As a year 12 student I’ve been there and I think the negative affect it can have on us is something we’ll never forgive the government for. Some breeze through the exam period with no problem (how, I don’t understand) but the majority don’t. Sometimes, as I’m sure you’ve felt, failure is a terrible fear and the stress of life and the pressures on you is choking. If you let it build up you fall into an ever downwards spiral of misery into the crevasse of hell (fun). Fortunately I’ve been able to stay out of the crevasse, clinging to its edge desperately so I can breathe. Others can’t, some are always falling and climbing and for a few their hands are tied and they stay right at the bottom in the darkness. That’s when it’s dangerous and not to be taken lightly. I’ve seen the effect of staying in the crevasse of misery and hell permanently and it’s not great. Only a small minority can’t climb up to breathe, so don’t panic. But I thought I can’t just sit and not try and prevent something preventable.
Firstly I’m not a psychiatrist so not being able to breathe in the crevasse is something only professionals can deal with. But you have a gift, a blessing maybe, which will honestly help. Something I learnt from my GCSEs, mocks and real exams, is that preventing yourself from getting outside and appreciating nature is the worst thing you can do. Unashamedly I came home in the beginning of the summer and lay and danced and went a bit crazy in a field for a while and it was the most liberating thing ever. After an awful day of no end in sight the best thing to fix me was to lie and notice things I hadn’t realised had changed around me. There was a beautiful purple coloured grass in the field margins, the ground was getting drier with the summer and our swallows were coming home. I’d let these things pass my attention because my vision was clouded with exams and work. Being able to appreciate nature is something many can’t but it could be the best escape route. For those who haven’t completed any exams yet don’t fear. I have some cracking memories of that time; I hold many hilarious memories dear. When you open that envelope at the end it is truly amazing. I don’t want to scare you, honestly you’ll get through.
For the run up though make sure you escape. I lay in a field because it’s one on my farm. But lie in your garden, your park, watch some birds, walk amongst long grass, do something. The joy it will give you as it always does will be a much needed respite. Remember that as you move into the New Year and towards the exam dates. Breathe.