Surviving Exam Season at a French Uni
Borrow notes, revise with a classmate at the library and talk about your results the way French students do.
French university students go to lectures in 'l'amphi', revise at 'la BU' (the university library) and sit end-of-semester exams called 'les partiels'. Everything is marked out of 20: 10 is a pass, 'la moyenne', and 15 or more is a very good grade. If you fail, there's usually a resit session, 'le rattrapage'. Students always use tu with each other and swap notes, 'les cours', freely.
- 1
J'ai plein de devoirs.
I've got loads of homework.
- 2
On doit rendre la dissert quand ?
When do we have to hand in the essay?
- 3
Je dois réviser pour mes partiels.
I have to revise for my exams.
- 4
On révise ensemble ?
Shall we revise together?
- 5
On se retrouve à la BU ?
Shall we meet at the university library?
- 6
Je comprends pas cet exercice.
I don't get this exercise.
- 7
Tu peux m'expliquer ?
Can you explain it to me? (to a friend)
- 8
Tu me passes tes cours ?
Can you send me your notes?
- 9
J'ai raté l'amphi ce matin.
I missed the lecture this morning.
- 10
Je fais des fiches de révision.
I'm making revision cards.
- 11
On a un exposé à préparer.
We've got a presentation to prepare.
- 12
J'arrive pas à me concentrer.
I can't concentrate.
- 13
On fait une pause ?
Shall we take a break?
- 14
J'ai pris du retard.
I've fallen behind.
- 15
Je l'ai appris par cœur.
I learnt it by heart.
- 16
Ça s'est bien passé, l'exam ?
So, did the exam go well?
- 17
J'ai eu 15.
I got 15.
- 18
J'ai pas eu la moyenne.
I didn't get a pass mark.
- 19
C'était hyper dur.
It was really hard.
- 20
Bon courage pour demain !
Good luck for tomorrow!