The University Exam Season in Germany

As I am writing this, I am currently in a month long exam season in my third semester. At the moment, I am striving for a bachelor's degree in biochemistry in the University of Greifswald, and as it is, it has been my toughest semester yet. But I will save the tales of the semester for another day, and talk about the exam season instead.

Depending on the country, I am sure there are different ways on how universities do exams. Back in Indonesia, exams are cramped in about a week or two for all of the subjects, which can be very gruelling indeed. 

In Germany, however, exams are not much a matter of weeks, but rather a whole season. The are scattered throughout the time between the time classes of the semester ends and when the new one starts; what we call Vorlesungsfreiezeit. Usually the exam season (Klausurphase) lasted for about the month. 

For classes which combines students from different majors, the professors would generally pre-determine the exam date, but others may offer options from which the students can choose from. One professor of mine was so kind and understanding of our circumstance (look out for the third semester round-up), she let us choose when we'd like to have the exam ourselves.

So far I've had to sit for around 4 exams (Klausuren) per semester. Although it doesn't sound at all too bad, it takes a lot more work and time for students to actually do well on them. Between classes, in-semester works, and the amount of topics to be covered for each subject, one can be overwhelmed.

That may be why the system allows the students to decide for themselves when they are ready to sit down for their exams. Students are not obliged to take the exams for the subjects they're taking that semester if they don't wish to. They can delay taking the exam (Klausurschieben) by simply not registering themselves for it. Of course, students are encouraged to take as much exams as they could so they could graduate on time. But it is always nice to have the option.

In the end, exams are always hard no matter where you are or what you're studying. But for students everywhere, I wish you the best of luck on your exams.

xo
Maria