Exams can be tough.
Wait, let me correct that sentence, who am I even kidding? ‘Exams are tough.’ Now that’s a universal truth. Exhausting both mentally and physically. Especially when you’re taking a university exam, filling those sheets in 3 hours feels like the toughest task ever. On the other hand, in school, the stress of board exams is just so much that exam anxiety is inevitable.
Though I might be a little bit late for this post as in my place students are already halfway through their annual exams, but hopefully this post will find those who are struggling with exam anxiety.
Here’s what you have to keep in mind…
So, first of all – just accept it. Don’t try to run away from it. Ignoring that you have an exam in a few days is not going to work either. The thing is that you have spent a whole year or a semester going to classes, doing assignments, giving tests, and whatnot; and my friend, exams are just there to build you a path to the results, the certificate of your hard work. Of course, grades are not everything. But they do matter. After all, you’ve spent most of your time for the past year or six months to get there, of course, it matters.
So get up and study. Saying ‘I don’t care about the results’ won’t work, because you do care, you should care, you didn’t go through all that hard work for nothing. And after all, it’s only for a few weeks my friend. Don’t you think you should say a proper goodbye to that freaking syllabus? Find your own comfort zone for studying. Avoid suggestions that tell you ‘when’ and ‘where’ to study, because it’s not the same for everyone.
The second thing you have to keep in mind is that ‘you have to work hard but don’t be too hard on yourself’. When I have an exam the next day, I try to go through everything on the syllabus the night before. Seriously, I studied till 2-3 am for my physics exam once when I was in 12th grade. I can’t say it wasn’t worth it, it was. But I’ve learned that sometimes going too hard has its consequences, your body needs rest so you can give your best the next day on the exam.
Then here comes one of the most important points – go to bed with a positive mindset. You tried, and that’s what matters the most. And sleep is important, note that down. Give yourself a pat on the back before sleeping and think about something else than studies or exams. Think about what will you do on summer vacations. And keep in mind that another heavyweight will lift off your shoulders tomorrow, so you better cheer up.
Then finally when you’re on the way to the exam hall, avoid talking to your classmates as much as possible. Because always, even if not intentionally, they will bring your morale down. There will be this one person who will point out that the topic you prepared very well wasn’t that important and you’ve missed the topics that are most likely to come in the exam. And trust me, all that is just nonsense. Those who really know the real stuff would never blabber before exams because they’re stressed enough already. So just stick to your close friends to avoid those chats.
Another thing I’ve learnt from experience that you should carry a watch always. Sometimes they don’t have a clock in the exam hall and you don’t want to be asking what time is it to anyone while writing. Having a watch is so helpful.
And at last, just give your best. You’ve faced harder question papers in your student life and this will pass too. Sometimes we do not get the result we desire, sometimes we just don’t want to do it… it’s okay. Don’t be too hard on yourself, Just keep swimming. You got this!
What are your ways to deal with exam anxiety?
Poorwa's blog 
Leave a comment