Auckland University students are relieved exams have moved online following a COVID-19 case near the city campus.
All remaining semester two exams until November 21 are affected.
Association president Emma Rogers says they called for online exams months ago.
"We've seen a lot of students both frustrated and relieved. The frustration comes from an earlier call in the semester when a lot of students called for exams to go online because going into lockdown was always a possibility, and that's the most disruptive thing we could have during exam time, which is already quite a stressful time for students.
"On the flipside, a lot of students are very happy that they won't be going onto campus to do their exams - just because of the stress that comes from being in crowded areas, with the uncertainty around COVID at the moment."
The scare was triggered by an AUT student in her 20s, who tested positive without any clear link to known cases. It was determined on Friday through genomic testing to be linked to the known cluster involving Defence Force staff, and the Government made the call to leave Auckland at level 1.
The University of Auckland said despite staying at alert level 1, it made the call to take exams online to provide certainty in case there are future cases.
"We realise that this shift to online exams will create challenges for some of our students, and we apologise for any inconvenience it might cause," the university said in a statement. There will be computers and spaces made available on campus for those who can't find a quiet location or suitable computer to do their exam at home.
Rogers said the short notice wasn't ideal, but the association has been doing what it can to get information out there.
"It is a really changing and quickly developing situation. Students really do need to be proactive in how they are seeing their communications and also seeing the notices coming from the university."
Rogers said it was a shame the call to go online wasn't made earlier, but students will appreciate the certainty they now have.However the location of the case - just around the corner from the university - has stressed some out.
"The central city is where their entire lives revolve around... there was a lot of anxiety after the different hotspots were announced, as students quite frequently go to that Starbucks and different places on High St."
Aucklanders have been urged to remain cautious despite the alert level staying the same, such as wearing masks and getting a test if they're feeling unwell.
