Amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, 18-year-old Dana Shabat is facing what could be the most critical week of her life as she undertakes her high school graduation exams. Dana, an exceptional student with an average grade consistently above 99 percent, is preparing for these examinations despite living in a tent in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza.

The high school exams, known as the tawjihi, are seen as a crucial determinant for students' futures, with many, like Dana, hoping to secure scholarships abroad to escape the hardships in Gaza. Dana, who lost her mother in an Israeli strike last year and whose family was displaced from their home in Beit Hanoon, is determined to succeed.

With numerous schools in Gaza destroyed or repurposed as shelters, educational continuity has been severely disrupted. Dana has been forced to educate herself remotely, and now, even taking the exams presents a significant challenge. She must travel daily to a cafe with reliable internet access to complete her online assessments, a stark contrast to students in the West Bank taking their exams in traditional school settings.

Dana is among 37,000 Palestinian students participating in the tawjihi exams this year, marking the first time since the war began that these exams are being held in coordination with Palestinian authorities in the West Bank. The disparity in examination conditions between Gaza and the West Bank highlights the profound impact of the conflict on education.

"I never imagined that the most decisive stage of my life would look like this," Dana told Al Jazeera, describing the immense anxiety and stress associated with her studies and exams under current conditions. She explained that she has had to teach herself every subject after losing three years of formal education.

Her father, Muhanna, accompanies her on her daily hour-long walk to the cafe, a testament to the family's support and the extraordinary lengths students are going to. The reliance on cafes with electricity and internet underscores the precarious infrastructure and the daily struggles faced by students.

This year's tawjihi exams are particularly significant as they are being administered online for all students in Gaza. This move, necessitated by the destruction of educational facilities and the ongoing displacement, adds another layer of difficulty for students already grappling with immense personal loss and the trauma of war.

The situation for students like Dana raises serious questions about equitable access to education and the long-term implications for a generation that has endured extensive disruption and hardship. The resilience shown by these students as they strive for a better future against overwhelming odds is a poignant reflection of their determination.