Tension is palpable among the Ebre high school students starting the Selectividad this Tuesday. From the four counties of Ebre, the young people are gathering at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) in Tortosa to face the University Entrance Exams (PAU) until Thursday. Uncertainty and anxiety are common feelings hours before the first exam.

The logistics for arriving at the university center on time vary by municipality. While some institutes organize buses, in towns like la Ràpita, students themselves have coordinated with private cars. To ensure punctuality, they have met before 7:15 AM, making sure to arrive with sufficient margin in Tortosa.

During the journey, reviewing notes mixes with moments of tense silence, looking out the window, or listening to music to try and calm their nerves. Conversations revolve around upcoming exams, the most feared subjects, and the grades needed to access their desired university degrees.

Two students from the Els Alfacs institute in la Ràpita, Alba Constantino and Alba Gil, express nervousness but also confidence in their preparation. Constantino aims to study Psychology at URV, while Gil wants to pursue Classical Philology at the University of Barcelona. Both agree that History of Philosophy is the exam that worries them the most.

The father of one of the students, Joan Josep, who has accompanied them, emphasizes the importance of this week for their academic future. At URV, accompanying teachers also experience the day with anticipation, reminding students of key instructions such as turning off mobile phones and carefully reading the questions.

Finally, after months of preparation, the moment of final hugs and advice arrives. Data verification and the first exam, Spanish language and literature, mark the official start of the tests for these young people.