Alumni Visit - English Exam Prep

On Friday 9 October, Nossal alumni Arjun Girotra [Class of 2025] made an appearance at Nossal once again, only this time to share with us eager Year 12 English Language students his insights and experiences of studying the subject. With the final exam fast approaching, and with it a growing sense of apprehension, I can say with certainty that Arjun’s visit replenished the hope and confidence of students who had the privilege of hearing what he had to say. 

His insights on the exam were truly a reflection of his expertise, from offering exam time-management tactics that perhaps none of us would have considered, to reminding us of the importance of working together with the cohort so that we can all excel together. He also expressed that he owes his expertise to his hard work in the subject but clarified that this hard work does not necessarily constitute remembering fifty media examples for our essays or completing a countless number of trial exams (a reminder I think we all needed!). Sometimes, hard work constitutes recognising that less is more, as long as there is a genuine constant pursuit of improvement and growth. 

That in itself was a reminder of what English Language is truly about, that it is not simply about developing an analytical mind but also continuously enhancing our ability to critically think about the world. The way he confidently and excitedly shared his knowledge was also a reminder that excelling in English Language goes hand in hand with enjoying the subject, and that even in the nerve-wracking and solemn exam conditions, we can still embrace a thrill in sharing our unique perspectives. 

We are all sincerely grateful for Arjun for taking the time to visit us and share his experiences. Thank you also to the English Language staff team for organising such a worthwhile lecture for us all. 

Iliana Alam on behalf of the 2026 Unit 3/4 English Language cohort