Drama, Business Studies and Psychology were among the first subjects evaluated, as college students put their faith in their study schedules. 

For Launceston College Business Studies student Mitchel Abrahams, the completion of his first exam also marked the halfway point of his schedule, with an Asian, Australia and Pacific test next Monday all that he has left.

Having already received an award for Business Studies, he admitted there was some pressure of his own making to do well.

“I knew had to give 100 per cent to get the most out of it that I could,” he said.

“My study schedule was pretty rigorous, but I made sure I still ate properly and got out and saw people when I could.”

Mitchel’s experience is aligned with research released on Monday from Reachout, showing over half of all regional students are displaying worrying levels of stress at exam time and are more likely to put pressure on themselves than their city counterparts.

One in four regional students who sought help for exam stress also turned to their GP or mental health professional, and relied more on support from their teachers.

Psychology student Mohiba Mohammadi said splitting up her study proved to be the most effective way for her to alleviate stress. 

“I took a lot of breaks during my study because I find it quite difficult to just keep going,” she said.

“I have three exams to prepare for, and I found it was a bit stressful to manage study with all the other commitments I had on.”

Of Mohiba’s three assessments, two are in-class while the other is portfolio-based.

She said there was no question as to which format she preferred.

“I don’t think exams show what people actually know,” she said.

“People perform differently under stress, and I am someone who doesn’t perform that well.

“It causes me to forget things I would normally remember.”