When the KCSE testing began, Daraja’s fourth year students felt excited, anxious, and undoubtedly nervous. At 8:00 in the morning on Tuesday, October 22, first, second, and third year students hugged their big sisters and watched as they lined up to enter their exam rooms.

Nine weekdays and fourteen exams later, the fourth year students have fallen into a routine with testing. Although their fellow students and the rest of the Daraja community continue to show support and love, the testing students report feelings of relief that each exam day does not feel as monumental as the first.

“Getting through the first day is the key,” warned Dean of Academics, Charles, at Prayer Day. (LINK!!!!!!)

“It just feels normal now,” reflected fourth year Zeki during lunchtime following Friday’s last exam for the day, “we wake up, eat breakfast, take a test, keep studying, and then do it again tomorrow.”

Grace agreed, adding, “The examiners

[government-employed proctors] are really nice, too. They always greet us in the mornings and tell us how much time we have left for a paper [test].”

During the times when they are not taking an exam, the girls can be found all over campus studying. Many use the space in the patio outside of the dining hall, which is sunny, open, and bright, while others study in their dorms, on the sports fields, at the tables outside of the campus store, and more.

“I study in my dorm because it is quiet and empty during study times,” explains Fatuma A.

To prevent the girls from feeling strained by the routine, they are encouraged to take breaks in their studying by taking walks, watching or playing during campus-wide sports time, and watching the movie instead of studying on Saturday nights.

When asked what she does during her study breaks, Mercy explains, “I like to meditate. SJ [an intern] taught us all about meditation during WISH class this term, and it is really helpful.” Mercy utilizes a mantra, or encouraging phrase, in her meditation to keep her confident and motivated. “I just keep saying to myself, I can do it. I am making it.”

With nine exam days left to go, the girls are halfway finished! The upcoming exams are more spread out than the past, with more days featuring only one test per day instead of two. This will give the girls more time for preparation in between subjects.