The NSW Higher School Certificate examination period began this week and the university’s exam period begins next week. It’s a busy and hopefully productive time in the student calendar.

While exam time can be stressful there is also a positive side with the prospect of reaching goals and achieving objectives after an extended period of hard work.

For HSC students, reaching the end of high school and looking forward to embarking on the next phase of life is an exciting prospect, though daunting for some. Perhaps the next phase may include study at university, a gap year spent exploring another culture, or a new job.

For the students of Charles Sturt University, end-of-year exams mean another academic year almost over and one year closer to the objective of graduating with a degree and entering the professional workforce. 

For some, this exam period may be the final one and the prospect of graduating in December is the carrot that keeps motivation sharp and head down over those books or that computer screen.

Whatever stage you are up to, on behalf of Charles Sturt University I wish all students sitting exams over the coming weeks the best of luck and may all that hard work be rewarded by exam results that bring a smile to your face.

And speaking of productivity, the peregrine falcons which nest in CSU’s iconic water tower have just hatched their first baby of the season - see the new arrival streaming live at www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/.