Nerves, workload vex exam teens

The predictability of school days is drawing to an end for the Class of 2012 and their future beyond Year 12 is about to unfold.

But first they have to get through the next few weeks of the WA Certificate of Education exams, which start on Thursday.

Four high-achieving 17-year-olds have agreed to let readers of _The West Australian _follow them through the exam process.

Shenton College student Chris Norman, who wants to study engineering, said he avoided energy drinks and caffeine pills, though he knew of students who took them. "It seems almost like it is exam steroids," he said.

Ethan Acott, from Guildford Grammar School, said even though he had always wanted to study veterinary science, he had recently chosen science, majoring in maths and physics.

Churchlands Senior High School's Mudra Shah, who plans to study medicine, said she felt overwhelmed by her workload at times. But a study timetable helped.

Kimberley Willcocks, from Santa Maria College, who also hopes to study medicine, said she was always nervous before exams. "I just worry generally about things I won't be able to do," she said.