The University of Aberdeen recently announced their decision to cancel all exams and assignments of 1st and 2nd year students. We understand 3rd and 4th year students' assessments directly reflect on their degree outcome and their cancellation would create further complications. However, we believe the pandemic conditions under which we are currently living, create a great amount of stress which might negatively affect those highly important for our overall diploma grades. Many of us are unable to travel back home, we are required to stay home where it is often hard to find peace and quiet and thus, students are unable to study effectively.

The examination conditions we are given require completion of a regular format of an exam in 2-2.5 hour slots and online submission. This method is highly stressful due to the little time given, the general format of the exams and the uncertainty involved. We believe our mental health is of high importance and we suggest examinations to be in the format of essays which we are given longer time to complete and submit without allowing the risks of this current situation to affect our final grades.

For certain courses, it's possible to substitute exams for essays and set certain deadlines ahead of time. Essays would be a much less stressful alternative and would better allow students to show their skills and knowledge and reduce the negative effect that this situation has on them. For example, instead of an exam, an essay topic could be released in advance to give us enough productive time and the deadlines could still be put within the April/May exam session. 

* We are aware that this is not a universal solution and does not apply to all courses, but we want to start a discussion and are calling for a solution to be found. These suggestions were made by Business School students. You can decide to contact your own class reps or course coordinators with your own suggestions for your courses so the best solution for everyone can be found.