There is life after Year 12 exams ABC newsreader James McHale, model Sarah Tilleke and Melanoma WA founder Clinton Heal share their year 12 exam experience. Hockeyroo Ashleigh Nelson reflects on her Year 12 exams at her favourite cafe. YEAR 12 exams, which start tomorrow, should serve as a "good lesson in resilience" but are not the "be all and end all," experts say. As more than 10,600 students prepare to sit at least one WA Certificate of Education exam, high-profile West Australians are urging them to keep things in perspective - and don't panic. Pupils will be sitting the exams in locations as far flung as the UK, Italy, Malaysia, China and Zimbabwe - and they will all be sitting them at the same time to prevent cheating. That means some students will be taking their tests in the middle of the night. And while many will be wracked with nerves, the exams are not as big a deal as they seem at the time, according to Water Minister Mia Davies, ABC newsreader James McHale, Hockeyroo Ashleigh Nelson, model Sarah Tilleke and Melanoma WA founder Clinton Heal. "At the time, (exams) were very important, a gateway to achieving what I'd had my heart set on for years," Ms Davies said. I know now that there's always options and alternative pathways - it doesn't always turn out like you think it will. The 35-year-old studied media and marketing and spent two years travelling the world before returning to Australia to rise through the ranks of the WA National Party. Mr McHale said he took seven years to figure out what he wanted to do after high school. "Everyone says exams are not the end of the world and it's absolutely true," he said. Mr Heal said he only found his passion in life after being diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in 2005. "Something I've learnt along the way is adversity is an opportunity to see what you're made of," Mr Heal said. Tilleke said she was "completely nervous" in the lead-up to exams, but learnt "it doesn't feel like anything else than another three-hour test" if you've done the study. Nutrition and learning experts said students could best prepare for their exams by getting lots of sleep, protein, water, and exercise. Curtin University Professor Sebely Pal said protein was important for brain function but sugar was thought to be associated with cognitive decline. Edith Cowan University professor Craig Speelman urged students to practise content in the way it would be tested or to practice recalling information to a friend or in front of the mirror. Australian Medical Association WA president Michael Gannon warned students not to turn to "smart drugs" to improve their focus. The exams will take place over the next three weeks. Originally published as There is life after Year 12 exams