The Post-Paper Void

“Omg, did you manage to finish the paper?”
“What did you write for this question?”
“Not enough time, right?!”

These were the majority of the exchanges that filled the corridors after the papers. Just like that, it was over. My study group promptly gathered at the lift lobby, and after a brief discussion about the examination, we discussed post-exam plans.

As the title suggests, the post-paper void, within the context of pursuing an education, is the feeling of emptiness that follows after the last paper during examination week. My body was acclimatised to working overtime in preparation for exams. The almost daily routine of checking out from work and immediately diving into revision vanished. Granted, semester results shall follow, and it is the proper end of the semester, yet the sudden change in routine was freeing but also disorienting. A sense of déjà vu swept over me as I experienced the same after I cleared my final exams in Accountancy.

To fill this void, I used to play video games to relax. These days, the urge to do so has subsided, even after exams. Badminton is now my favourite form of stress release, as it also keeps my fitness somewhat in check. I have also held out on updating my blog for a while and am now turning drafts into posts. The term break is the perfect period to get my relaxation routine back in full swing, knowing it will pause once the semester begins in July.

Is the post-paper void a bad thing? It quite depends on what we fill it with. Rest. Rest ought to be productive, too, even if undisrupted for a limited period. Rest does not necessarily mean sleep. It could refer to reclaiming a fitness routine, resting the mind, indulging in activities of interest, etc. Or, the void is simply the silence before the next chapter begins.