DSE students meeting stress with resilience

l University entrance exams cause high anxiety among students and families, especially during the pandemic.

l HKFYG specialist in counselling, Ms Hsu Siu-man, comments on the annual survey examining candidates’ reactions.

l More intend to study overseas than in the past and may be better prepared for uncertainties.

In April and May this year, nearly 50,000 candidates took the DSE exams. About 17,000 achieved the minimum requirement for university entrance compared to 18,600 in 2020. They did so while meeting many challenges and disruptions, both from civil unrest and from COVID-19.

Adjusting to a syllabus revised to fit new modes of learning caused inevitable anxiety and inconvenience. In the past two years, Hong Kong students have experienced class suspensions that lasted for months, like most of their counterparts around the world. Combined with strict precautionary health measures, new levels of flexibility and determination were demanded from everyone.

Most common stress factors

l 疫情下，公開試為考生及其家庭帶來更多焦慮。 l 長期專責學生輔導的資深青年工作者徐小曼就一份 關於本港中學文憑試考生的年度調查分享意見。 l 相比往昔，現在有更多人萌生海外留學的念頭，她 建議青年在不明朗的環境下更要做足準備。

Better prepared for uncertainty

Nevertheless, perhaps the DSE students were better psychologically prepared for uncertainty this year, says Ms Hsu. “They have adapted to the continued restrictions caused by the pandemic and are probably relieved that infection control measures were much better than they were a year ago.”

The majority also want to continue their studies longer, with 10% wanting to do a master’s degree compared to 6.3% in 2020 and with 4.6% wanting to do a doctoral degree compared to 2.2% in 2020.

Resigned over lack of control

For 70.5% l Not being able to meet their own expectations.

For 60.3% l Effect on progress in lessons because of suspension of face-to-face classes.

“Perhaps they have also become more resigned to the unpleasant feeling of lacking control over their own lives,” she continues. “The prolonged pandemic, class suspensions and the resulting hybrid mode of study may have upset their plans and intensified the psychological burdens of doing the public exams.” They may want to stay at university longer, with more of them considering retaking the DSE exams if they don’t get a place at the university of their choice.

For 44.5% l Uncertainty induced by the pandemic.

Exploring the ways in which DSE students responded, Ms Hsu points out that many had grave doubts. “We found that 50% of this year’s respondents rated their stress levels at 7 or above on a scale of 1-10,” says Ms Hsu. “Worries about failure to meet expectations, mainly because of the pandemic, have been common.”

“Compared to 2019, more are also considering studying overseas than in the past,” Ms Hsu continues. “Most Hong Kong students tend to stay in the city to complete tertiary education. They are familiar with the environment here. Tuition fees are relatively low and there are no language barriers.” Although not asked directly for their reasons for considering study abroad, the likelihood is that they have been affected by the changing political environment in Hong Kong and the signs of other students leaving the city.

Leaving comfort zones

“International school and DSS school pupils are usually different in this respect,” Ms Hsu observes. “They and their families tend to make plans well ahead for overseas study. Now we see a new trend developing with more students at government secondary schools planning or intending to study abroad. Their eyes are more open to new pathways and different opportunities so they are no longer as likely to confine themselves to their usual comfort zones.”

While recommending that students make choices for their future that match their personal interests and abilities, they also need to be aware of the relationship between the subject area they choose, their aspirations and future plans or career development, advises Ms Hsu. “Analysis of the findings of our survey suggest that the DSE cohort this year has perhaps acquired a different level of maturity or resilience than candidates in the past. Maybe this is because of their experience of circumstances beyond their control,” Ms Hsu points out. “We therefore suggest that parents leave their children ample mental space to make their own decisions and respect their choice of subjects to study and future pathways.”

The HKFYG “DSE 27771112” service aims to help Secondary 6 students be well-prepared for the public exams and for further studies. Unprecedented conditions led to remote learning from February to May 2020 and from December 2020 to mid-February 2021. Online classes were adopted during class suspensions and a hybrid mode of learning was adopted for the rest of school year. The annual survey, which took place online and on the DSE hotline from 22 June to 12 July this year, sought greater understanding of changes in students’ stress levels and the preparations they are making for the future.

Read last year’s survey Youth Hong Kong September 2020, page 17

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DSE is the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, a Hong Kong's university entrance examination, administered at the completion of a three-year senior secondary education. DSS schools operate under the Direct Subsidy Scheme in Hong Kong whereby they are allowed to have greater flexibility in various areas including resources deployment, curriculum design and student admission.