30 minutes extra to write exam this year: Delhi University students divided
While additional time is a relief for some, few feel not much will come out of this one-time move
This might help students in coping up with their overall aggregate. NISHIKA PAL, From Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women
Reopening of colleges has been so sudden ki time hi nahin mila to shift to offline mode. PRASHANT TYAGI, Hansraj College
Pens down, hand over your answer sheets — this ultimatum is one that most of us can relate to. But for students of Delhi University (DU), these words will be heard a little later than the scheduled time. As a special case, DU has decided to give students — who will appear for physical exams after almost two years — an additional 30 minutes to complete the paper. And given how online exams have been the norm since 2020, some youngsters believe this additional time will work in their favour.
Nishika Pal, a final-year BSc Electronics student at Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women, admits that students have lost touch with sitting for three hours to “write a test with pen and paper”: “This move is highly appreciated and is going to bring students relief.”
“Each extra minute counts,” says Rishabh Sharma, a secondof year BCom (Hons) student of Dyal Singh College. “I was also of the opinion that internal choices in questions should be increased. Thankfully, DU has instructed faculties and departments to provide more choices in the paper, to make students feel less stressed,” he adds
On the flip side, some students feel they should not have to sit for offline exams at all. “Reimbursing the demand of OBE (open book examination) with a measly half hour extra is like a game that has been played with us and will not permit students to have a better shot at their academics,” opines Ananya Gaur, a second-year BA (Prog) student at Bharati College.
Prashant Tyagi, a second-year Zoology (Hons) student at Hansraj College, feels they are yet to adjust to the offline mode, after two years virtual campus. “Our teachers are still taking some classes online... Now, this unnecessary pressure of offline exams is taking a toll on us. How will 30 more minutes and extra choices help students? It’s a tiny measure that claims to be in our interest, but I think we need to have a say in what’s done for us. I’ve connected with a lot of students, nobody is mentally ready for offline exams.”*
The extra time will only provide us a false cushion and illusion now. ANANYA GAUR,