Flag out for diplomas without exam
Due to the corona crisis, a generation of students will graduate without a final exam this year. Today the flags go out ahead of them. "Too bad everything has come to a standstill."
Picture: Fred van Diem
Jonas Wolthaus Photo Fred van Diem
Jonas Wolthaus (17), graduated from the gymnasium at the Alberdingk Thijm College in Hilversum
“I was learning German when I heard that the exams were cancelled. I was very happy that I could put the books away, but it took two weeks before it really landed. You have been preparing for that exam for ages, so it was a real switch. I knew immediately that I had passed and my grades are sufficient for admission to my further study, so I thought it was completely fine."
It was really switching
"That night I celebrated with a dinner and cake with my parents and sister, that's it for the time being. It's a pity that there are no parties, but I also notice that it doesn't bother me very much. I had a lot want to organize an exam stunt and disrupt the school, but yes, it's just no different.
Sidejob
As a side job I gave homework supervision, but that also came to a standstill. I was able to start at the sheltered workshop via email. Because the clients are not allowed to work there due to corona, they urgently looked for other people. Yes, where you don't end up with your gymnasium, haha. But it works fine. Most of the work is done on automatic pilot, so that is easy to make money.
After the summer, I would like to go to Utrecht Law College, the honors program of the law degree. At the moment, the idea of becoming a judge appeals to me, but I can still go in all directions and like to be surprised.
I'm not worried about my diploma being worth less. With my CM profile with Mathematics C, I am used to comments. In addition, high school is only useful for access to the study you want to do. And that's okay. "
Kya Ogink Photo Fred van Diem
Kya Ogink (18), passed HAVO at the Vrijeschool Zutphen
“I was cycling with a friend when I received all kinds of apps that the pass-fail scheme was known. We stood there somewhere in the woods cheering that we had passed. My parents immediately put out the flag. For a few days, because it was actually not allowed yet, but we still wanted to celebrate like this."
I'll never know what it feels like
"It was nice that I didn't have to do anything for school anymore, but I'm sad that everything around it has come to a standstill. It's a strange idea that I'll never know what it feels like to be stressed with your class until you is called. The gala and the graduation ceremony are cancelled. As an exam stunt we wanted to convert the entire school into a western movie with all wanted posters of teachers and real horses in the schoolyard. It is such a pity that all this is not possible. The whole party feeling is missing.
Dull
I worked in a restaurant, but that is now closed. I mainly spend my time with Netflix, chores at home and occasionally I meet up with friends. It's kind of boring. I like to meet people, go out for dinner or sit on a terrace. My trip with friends is also canceled, I hope that later.
I am really looking forward to my further education: the Hotelschool in Leeuwarden. It is an amalgamation of everything I like: catering, entrepreneurship and working with people. There are even locations in South Africa and Thailand where you can take a minor. The selection procedure was tough, and partly ran online due to corona. Of the fifteen hundred registrations, only six hundred are allowed to go through and luckily I am one of them. ”
Michael Bloemheuvel Photo Fred van Diem
Michael Bloemheuvel (16), graduated from the VMBO basis at the Morgen College in Harderwijk
“It is very special to suddenly know that you are ready. I received an email from the team leader that if you scored everything above an average of 6, you passed. I average 7 or 8 for everything, so it was obvious right away. Yet it felt very double: you are at home while you should still be at school and suddenly you have passed. It still doesn't feel like it really is. We won't celebrate it at home until it's announced."
I enjoy cycling, fishing and gaming
"I work at the sauna doing the dishes, but unfortunately that can't go on now either. I mainly enjoy cycling, fishing and a little gaming. I usually play Call of Duty, a combat game.
defence
Later I would like to work at the Ministry of Defense and after this I will do the training to become a ground operator at mbo Landstede. Fortunately, the admission test was already in February. It was quite tough: running, push-ups and sit-ups, but also team building exercises. If you hadn't trained, you just wouldn't make it. I was informed the same day that I had been accepted. I am really looking forward to starting that training. For example, you learn to explore an area in armored cars and to clear it from bombs. I would prefer to work as a soldier in the infantry. I think it would be nice to help others and to be able to fight for freedom.
I am happy that I have finished VMBO, but I also think it is a shame. I will definitely miss the friends I saw at school every day. The contact is already less because we are at home. I therefore hope that there will be another exam party, but that is not clear yet. ”
