In 2020, Luiz Eduardo Rodrigues saw his dream of entering college postponed. He didn’t have an ID and hoped his school would help him with that. But the Covid-19 pandemic closed schools and hampered their plans to achieve this. Without official identification, I would not be able to take the test.
Last year, when he found the courage to try again, his plans to study journalism had to be postponed once again. The test was administered in a location far from his home, in the city center, and he arrived too late, as the test was in the south zone. His attempt to take the Enem was frustrated by a closed gate.
Candidate Luiz Eduardo Rodrigues and his mother, Ana Cristina da Silva, arrive for the first stage of the 2024 National High School Exam (Enem), at Estácio de Sá University, in the city center. Photo: Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil
This year, he decided not to take any more risks and arrived an hour and a half before the test at the location, helped by the fact that the exam was administered close to his home.
“Last year, I took a course that offered free online classes, but this year I missed the registration period. So I studied using YouTube videos”, says the candidate.
To ensure that he arrived on time and entered the test site, his mother, manicurist Ana Cristina da Silva, insisted on escorting him there. “I came to bring him to make sure he will take the test.”
José Paulo Tavares attempted his first Enem in 2023. He managed to arrive on time for the test, but his score was not enough to guarantee his admission to a university.
Candidate José Paulo Tavares arrives for the first stage of the 2024 National High School Exam (Enem), at Estácio de Sá University, in the city center. Photo: Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil
This time, in his second attempt, he decided to prepare better and, to guarantee his success, he dressed in a Vasco da Gama club shirt. “It’s for good luck,” said the candidate.
“This time I’m calmer, more prepared. Even though I’m working, I managed to adapt my routine and study. Of course, I could count on the support of my parents”, added the young man, who intends to study physical education.
Ana Julia Prone arrives for the first day of exams for the 2024 National High School Exam (Enem), in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil
Ana Julia Salomão is already in her third Enem. On his second attempt, six years ago, he managed to enter veterinary medicine college. But even before completing the course, he discovered that his calling is to care for the health of humans instead of pets.
“I’m like crazy, working, studying for college and preparing for the Enem. But everything went well. I managed to work, study and still be a mother.”
In her second Enem, Juliana Monteiro only has her educational background from high school, completed two years ago, as she was unable to prepare for this year’s exam.
“Last year, I wasn’t feeling well and I dropped out of the test halfway through. And then, I’m going to try again. I want to write letters and I intend to do the test until the end.”
Newbies
William Gabriel Lopes arrives for the first day of exams for the 2024 National High School Exam (Enem), in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil
With the help of a free preparatory course, 3rd year high school student from the state network of Rio de Janeiro, William Gabriel, will take his first Enem. “I’m anxious. I’ve prepared myself, but I don’t know which subject I’m going to take”, says the young man, who hopes to get a grade to study philosophy at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).
Another newcomer is Camile da Hora, who is also in her third year of high school. “I don’t have many expectations because it’s the first time I’m taking the Enem. It’s going to be a bit of an experience, but I studied and I have a good study base,” he said.
Camile da Hora arrives for the first stage of the 2024 National High School Exam (Enem), at Estácio de Sá University, in the city center. Photo: Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil
In addition to Rio de Janeiro, more than 1,700 other municipalities will apply the test.
The 3rd year high school student at a school in Ubatuba, on the north coast of São Paulo, Nathalie Lopes de Oliveira is not exactly a newcomer.
“I took the test last year, as an experiment, but I didn’t do well because I didn’t prepare. This year I’m studying every day [úteis] of the week and, on Saturdays, I practice writing”, said the student, who intends to study medicine.
