The Christmas holidays are usually characterised by a number of assignments and the looming January exams. How productive have you managed to be?

As much as possible I tried to get my assignments done while at the same time keeping up with the endless Christmas-related parties and events. Robert Dingli, 23, Doctor of Laws, 2nd year.

Not as much as I wished to be, but I’m finally gearing up now. Adrian Attard, 20, B. Communications, 2nd year.

Hardly productive. The holidays are a time to wind down from the everyday University stress and I simply was not physically fit to go through a demanding work period. I needed a break. Marc Alan Spiteri, 18, BSc (Hons) in Computer Engineering, 1st year.

Once the holidays are over, the exams are round the corner. How do you manage to deal with studying and exam stress?

Thankfully I only have two exams in January. The way I deal with exams and studying is that I study during the week, and on the weekend I watch a game of football to relax. Robert Dingli

I try to balance my time between studying and hanging out; that is the best way to cope. Adrian Attard

Overeating is the way to go. Sometimes I end up having a serious nervous breakdown just before the first exam, after which I manage to get myself going. Marc Alan Spiteri

Are you satisfied with the current first semester examination set-up? Is there anything you would change?

I feel the exams should be pushed to the first week of February in order for students to be given at least a clear month to prepare themselves after the Christmas festivities are over. Robert Dingli

I’m quite satisfied overall, apart from the fact that studying makes Christmas holidays tense and stressful. Adrian Attard

Not really. If anything, I would prefer assignments to be announced earlier, since many of them still require much more research work than course knowledge. Marc Alan Spiteri

Interviews conducted by Insite – the Student Media Organisation.