I am currently writing this update with a lot of frustration, sadness, and anxiety.. It has come to my attention that we, Psychology students, are one of the very few courses, if not the only one, who will have ALL of their exams with Proctorio. All of them. How can this be possible? It seems like they did this on purpose, even though I know it is not. Other courses have switched to alternatives for most of the exams, with an exception for 1 or 2 exams that will be proctored. Although I am very happy for them that they are allowed to take their exams in a more humane way, I am still sad that it doesn’t apply to the Psychology course. May I remind everyone again that the university has written the following about the use of Proctorio:

''Online proctoring will only be used for key courses recognized as such by the Program Director with knowledge-oriented exams crucial for or close to the moment of graduation. Based on this criterion, each School assesses itself whether and which exams should be administered with proctoring, after having established that there are no alternatives that guarantee the value of the diploma and taking into account privacy concerns.''

How can all of my courses, all of them, be recognised as key courses for or close to the moment of graduation? Furthermore, it has come to my attention that there will be an opt-out opportunity for those who do not want to or cannot take the proctored exams. However, this opt-out can hardly even be called an alternative!!! Please read the following, this is the opt-out for those who choose not to take the exam:

‘’These students will be referred to the earliest subsequent exam opportunity. Whether that opportunity will also be a proctored online exam and whether it (for a limited group or otherwise) will be taken on campus this academic year depends on government measures and practicability considerations in a 1.5 meter society. For courses whose exams can only be taken in a proctored online environment this may result in conscientious objectors incurring a delay in their studies.’’

How can this be called an alternative? I am so angry and frustrated!!

• It doesn’t provide us with clarity about having a study delay or not; it does not provide us with clarity about anything at all!
• If on-campus examination would be possible on the re-sit date, it would only be available for a small group, so how can we even know we can be part of that group? If we can’t be, we get study delay
• If you would get chosen in the on-campus examinations, and do not pass the first time, this means your re-sit is in another academic year, meaning you have study delay

As my first exams are approaching, I am feeling higher levels of anxiety every day. Now even more. I don’t know what I should do at the moment.  I am having a hard time staying focused. During an exam my sole focus should be on the exam. Now, besides that, with Proctorio, I would need to pay attention on things like: ‘’Does my internet still work?’’; ‘’Does my webcam/microphone still work?’’; ‘’Ah shit, I looked beside me for a moment, will I be suspected of fraud?’’; ‘’I hope no one walks into my room, or rings the doorbell so my dog starts barking, which means I will make sound and will be suspected of fraud’’.

I am sorry for this open and personal update. I needed to write it, and to get it off my chest.