Reimagining an Exam Space
End-of-term exams can be incredibly stressful. Sometimes it's hard to cope with the anxiety—you can’t think clearly, and everything you prepared seems to slip away. This kind of stress is harmful to both the mind and body. I wanted to address it, because it's a recurring experience every semester, and I want to approach it with more awareness and care.
I began questioning the structure of traditional exams and imagined a new way to present our work—one that engages the senses and helps us stay grounded in the present moment. Feeling grass under your bare feet or smelling the bark of a tree are simple, natural sensations that can calm the nervous system and bring you back into your body.
I also wanted to challenge the established hierarchy between teacher and student. When we sit together on the grass, we’re on the same level—just people having an open, enthusiastic conversation about our creative ideas. The power dynamic shifts, and the teacher’s evaluation begins to feel more like feedback from a friend.
I brought the idea of a park into the school and took my final exam in this reimagined space.