It is exam results day, and you are anxiously refreshing the CAS Portal, waiting for your result to finally appear. Next thing you know, the announcement hits your inbox and results are out. You take a deep breath, refresh the page one last time, and see your result.

Moments like these remind us that, no matter when we started our journey, every actuary has felt this same tension. Whether you took your first exam yesterday or 50 years ago does not matter. Every actuary has felt the drain of long study hours, the anxiety of sitting for each exam, and the stress of the process. The journey is arduous, and we should strive to talk more openly about what it takes from all of us.

My own journey is no exception. At one point, I received a failed result that completely gutted me. I tried to power through my next sitting, which happened to be a different exam, and studying for that sitting was rough. I realized the process had truly taken its toll on me. Fortunately, with the support of my company, I was able to take a year off from exams. It was an amazing decision. I came back stronger and happier, following up that demoralizing failed result with a rejuvenating passed result.

That experience taught me something essential about the exam process, something we do not talk about enough. I share my story not to highlight a failure, but to emphasize what I believe is a success. It was an acknowledgment of the mental drain that comes with persevering through these exams and an effort to do something about it. We have all had similar moments, and we should use our shared experiences to talk more openly about the mental and emotional strain of the process. By doing so, we can build a stronger actuarial community, a community that supports each actuary through the challenges and makes us stronger because of it.

For candidates currently in the thick of it, these shared experiences can be a source of strength. Every credentialed actuary represents a story of perseverance. They have felt what you are feeling, and you should not hesitate to connect with those stories. You are not in the fight alone. We have all been there, and many of us are eager to help however we can. Utilize the community to the best of your ability.

Supporting candidates is not just an individual effort. It is something the entire actuarial community can embrace. That support can be as simple as offering consistent encouragement during the process or giving candidates time off from exams, as I was fortunate to receive.

Candidates should strive to be aware of how they are feeling and ask for the help or support they need. Do not be afraid to ask for help. You are surrounded by actuaries who are willing to support candidates however they can, because we have all been through it, too.

Lastly, do not be afraid of the exams. They lead to an incredibly rewarding achievement.