'I couldn't develop' and 'quiet': students talk about writing the Enem in Belém

The topic of the Enem 2026 essay divided the opinion of 3 students in Belém this Sunday (8). The proposal addressed the valorization of the SUS as a universal right.

Trainer Richard Rocha Ferreira, 18 years old, expected technology as a theme and was unable to develop the text. Despite this, he evaluated his debut in the exam positively.

Marcelo Elorran, 17 years old, also expected technology, but thought he wrote a good essay. For the student, who is also a trainer, the test was tiring.

Michelle Araújo, 51 years old, considered the writing easy to develop, as it opened up space to discuss improvements. She wants to use her grade to get a scholarship in psychology.

The theme of the essay shared the impressions of three students who took the first day of the National High School Exam (Enem) in Belém this Sunday (8). While two trainers said they were surprised by the proposal, a 51-year-old candidate considered the text easy to develop.

The theme of the essay for the National High School Exam (Enem) 2026 is "The valorization of the Unified Health System (SUS) as a universal right".

Richard Rocha Ferreira, 18, and Marcelo Elorran, 17, expected a topic related to technology. The reaction to the proposal, however, was different. Richard said he was unable to develop the text. And Marcelo believes he wrote a good essay, despite considering the test difficult and tiring.

Michelle Araújo assessed that the writing opened space to discuss improvements in the Unified Health System (SUS), a subject that, according to her, was addressed in the proposal.

In his first participation in Enem, Richard took the test as a trainer. A second-year high school student, he said he hoped to write about technology.

When asked how he dealt with the topic presented, he said he was unable to develop it. Despite the difficulty in writing, the student evaluated his debut in the exam positively. "The experience was great."

Richard finished the race around 4pm. He said he intends to study performing arts at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA).

Marcelo also participated in Enem for the first time, as a trainer. A second-year high school student, he said that the expectation of an essay on technology arose from advertisements he saw on the exam website.

"I expected it to be technology, based on the ads they put out on the website. So I really expected it to be technology and it ended up being a totally different topic," he said.

Even with the surprise, Marcelo believes he managed to develop the arguments. "Yes, it was enough to write a good essay."

Regarding the test in general, the student said it was "very difficult" and "tiring". Although he only participated for training, he said he had been studying since signing up.

Michelle left the test with a positive evaluation of her essay. According to her, the SUS proposal allowed us to discuss the value of services and present suggestions to improve service to the population.

"It (the theme) was calm, it was possible to develop it and it was very good, by the way", he stated.

For the student, the text was an opportunity to address public policies from the perspective of those who use the services. "What we evaluate in one way, the public authorities can evaluate in another. And this can even serve as suggestions going forward", he said.

This was Michelle's second participation in Enem. The first took place in 2024. A distance psychopedagogy student at a private institution, she believes that her home study routine helped her preparation, especially in Portuguese and text interpretation.

Michelle intends to use her exam score to apply for a scholarship in psychology through the University for All Program (ProUni).

For her, age should not prevent her from returning to the classroom. The presence of people over 50 looking for a new career, he said, is an incentive to resume their studies.

"It's something you have to do, not for others, but for yourself. Seeking knowledge never hurts."