Preparing for the National High School Exam (Enem) involves a study routine, dedication, and organization for students who are finishing high school and approaching the choice of a career. Between classes, exercises, and group activities, they balance their studies with other daily tasks, with the support of teachers and pedagogical initiatives focused on the exam.
The Full-Time State School (CEPI) Maria Abadia Salomão, in Luziânia (GO), promotes some of these initiatives, such as the work of tutor teachers and review sessions divided by areas of knowledge.
Teacher Luiz Henrique Domingos do Nascimento, a trainee teacher through Ensina Brasil who teaches Mathematics and Physics at the school, highlights that the review session model offers an alternative dynamic to regular classes, which has encouraged students in their studies.
"It starts off relaxed, there's a snack, and then we move on to the review sessions. We always try to do something more dynamic with these students, and the feedback is always good—they really enjoy it and are able to absorb a lot, because it breaks away a bit from the classic methodology," he said.
The teacher also highlighted the importance of working on question interpretation with students.
"I read the question while doing the interpretation, because much of the students' difficulty lies in interpreting the question. And this is a general difficulty within the Portuguese language, at a national level."
"I give the students time to try to solve it. Then we move into a discussion environment [about the solution], whether there would be an alternative [way]," he explained.
Third-year students also receive support from teachers on matters related to career and future.
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Final stretch
In the final stretch of preparation for the Enem, individual and collective strategies, as well as moments of rest, are part of the students' routine. The goal is to arrive more confident and prepared for the exam that can open the paths to higher education.
Seventeen-year-old student Silas Cardoso says the review sessions held at his own school helped him a great deal in preparing. "I am balancing the review sessions with studying at home and with my daily tasks. I'm trying to maintain a balanced routine so I don't get overwhelmed with studying," he reported.
The young man, who intends to study accounting, said he finds it easier with content from the exact sciences, especially mathematics. He says his biggest challenge is the essay. "Lately, I've been reading a lot of books, writing texts even without the school asking me to—I write a lot. I'm trying to improve my writing."
In addition to the preparation that takes place at schools, the students themselves organize meetings to study in groups and share knowledge. "Currently I'm studying with some friends. Every Saturday we go to someone's house and study for an hour or two," he said.
Seventeen-year-old student Emily Pereira says that, in addition to studying at home, she uses breaks at school to deepen her understanding of the content. "To prepare, I'm solving a lot of questions, taking mock exams, reading, and writing too, because for the most part I have a lot of difficulty with the essay."
Emily added that the essay is also one of her biggest challenges, which is why she has intensified her studies around this task.
"I've been writing one or two essays a week and correcting them with the help of teachers and people I know, who have more affinity and mastery, so they can point out my mistakes. To build up my repertoire, I read news, books, and general tips," she said.
Registered for the Agronomy program, Emily says she believes the exam will be difficult, but she is confident because of the entire period of preparation and study. "I've taken the Enem other times, as an untimed practice test taker, but it seems the difficulty has increased. I hope to do well. In a way, I've prepared a lot and received a lot of help from the school, from friends, from teachers, so I think I'll have a good performance."
Eighteen-year-old student Ana Laura highlighted the importance of the review sessions prepared especially for the Enem. "I think it's more tiring for those of us who study full-time, but the main help I noticed made a difference was the review sessions offered by the school, because I really like learning in person," she emphasized.
The young woman, who is undecided between studying dentistry and biomedicine, already expects the exam to bring some difficulty. "I don't expect it to be easy, but I also hope that, with effort, I'll do well and be able to calmly do what I know how to do, because we have to be confident."
She had experience as a practice test taker last year. "It was a way of preparing for this year, because I already have some idea of what the exam is like and what my exam time is like. So I think it takes away some of the nervousness we have on the day," she said.
In the final stretch of studying, Ana Laura says she has been playing volleyball to relax and unwind. "What I do most to unwind is play—I really enjoy it and I think it takes us away from that anxiety. I also watch movies. That's how I stay calm," she noted.