Dear Exams,

You really know how to make someone feel like absolute shit. One question wrong and I'm already down to a 90%. I study and study so I can pass but then you sit there in front of me, tormenting me because you know I don't know the answer.

What kills me is every student is conditioned from a young age to think that if we don't pass, we're not going to go anywhere in life.

You don't define me. You don't and will never determine how successful I am in life.

The only thing you prove is how well I can memorize information. There's a difference between memorization and learning. No one really learns anymore, we all just memorize for you. We memorize so we can get a good grade, which will then lead to a good overall grade in the course which will lead to a good GPA. But that's it. It's all numbers. Numbers don't determine how smart someone is.

I've never been good at taking you, but I've realized now that it doesn't matter. You will not dictate how successful I will become. Up until now, you've made my life a living hell. Until now, I lived my school life constantly preparing for the next study guide.

Too many kids and teenagers beat themselves up over not passing your expectations. Too many parents put too much pressure on their kids to pass you. Kids cry over you. Kids get so stressed over you. They develop stress anxiety. No one understands the pressure you put on the people who have to encounter you.

I said it before and I'll say it again,

You do not and will not determine me, my life, and my success.

Sincerely,

A pissed off college student