Try, Try and Try again

Hey Friend,

‘Try your best’ is a phrase that’s often said. It’s said by friends, maybe your boss but mostly by parents to their children. I know I’ve definitely said it to mine over the years.

For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been working as an invigilator for exams. The school isn’t too far from where I live so that made it an even easier ‘yes’.

My first day I was greeted by a woman who I now know to be the head honcho. She smiled and nodded as the receptionist gave the names of the four of us sat together. Head Honcho immediately started calling me by the wrong name. I said my name but she repeatedly called me Sarah. I even flashed my visitor badge at her, pointing at my name but she was having none of it. In fact, she wasn’t even talking to me – just vaguely looking in my direction as she told another woman to take me to the gym.

Head Honcho powered away and I pointed out to her minion that I am not Sarah. She apologised and I followed her lead to the hall with another woman.

‘Have you done this before?’ She asked.

‘Nope.’

I smiled. She grimaced. And so began my crash-course training before she disappeared.

‘I’ve been called to another room but someone else will be with you soon!’

The other woman and I looked at each other. Why we were more nervous than the ones actually doing exams, I have no idea.

The stand-in arrived and took a firm hand with the kids but when they wouldn’t listen she called out, ‘Miss! They’re talking at the back, Miss!’ An even sterner looking teacher hovered over the them at the back and all lips snapped shut.

The exam began and I wandered slowly around the desks, eyeing the students, ready to hand out a pen (who comes to an exam without a pen?). Head Honcho entered the gym, whispered to the stand-in and then beckoned me from across the hall.

I followed after her. She said nothing, only offering the occasional glance behind her to check I was still there. Along the way, she called out to a student who joined our little convoy as we turned a couple of corners and ended up in a meeting room.

‘Right’, said Head Honcho, ‘This student will be doing her exam here and you will stay with her. Please check the information on the board is correct.’

I checked the information on the board matched the info on the sheet.

‘I’ll read the instructions. Fill in the times please.’

Now, you’re not gonna believe this, but I am struggling to work out exam end times. Especially when the student has two hours and thirteen minutes and the start time is 10:21am! What’s wrong with a simple 10am start and finishing in a hour and a half?

I did it (just!) and all while Head Honcho hovered with squinted eyes, scrutinising my every move.

She eventually left. It was when I sat down that I started to think about the fact that all my stuff, including my water bottle, was in the gym where I started. And what if I needed a wee? Thankfully, I didn’t but Head Honcho didn’t care to share these basics with me.

After about forty minutes or so, the student rested her head on her arms and went to sleep.

Yes – fully asleep. Snores and everything.

I cleared my throat loudly. I stood up and made audible stretching sounds.

She slept on.

Was this normal?

She woke up when there were around twenty minutes left, had a quick look through her paper and rested her head again.

I wish I could say it was a one-off but the amount of students sleeping through exams these last two weeks has been kind of heart-breaking.

Now, I know, not everyone is cut out for exams and not everyone is interested in school.

But everyone can at least try – right?

As well as sleepers, I’ve also had talkers, kids messing about and starers. I’ve probably walked miles up and down aisles to hand out pens, pencils, rubbers, rulers. I’ve listened to the instructions given before exams start several times and wonder how students still manage to forget to write their name or candidate number – or both.

Then you’ve got the audacious ones. The cheaters (allegedly). One of my new invigilator buddies told me about a particular kid. She said he always asks for a toilet break and when he gets back, he crosses out half of his work and re-writes it…!

Another invigilator said that if they can remember everything they need to write or correct in a five minute toilet break, they deserve a good grade.

I’m not sure all the non-cheaters would agree with that…

The half-term break means I can rest my feet (which have been aching from standing all day).

Hopefully there’ll be less sleeping from students…

I, however, can’t promise not to nod off if given the extremely rare chance of sitting down.

Speak soon xx