People say, “Exams are essential evils”. They are necessary since no other alternative method has been adopted universally and evil because most people shiver by its name. As EXAMS approach our hearts skip a beat, students get anxious and spend sleepless nights. Not only students many adults also suffer from exam phobia. They may be excellent at their work but when asked to prove their prowess through an examination, often they falter showing their vulnerability towards exams and exam related stress.
Competition has become an inseparable part of our lives and it is the fear of this competition that leaves us feeling unhappy, paranoid and worried. The fear of being put to test can be quite stressful for many people. This affects them adversely and they fail to perform to the best of their ability.
Also See: Video on Tips for students, Parents to deal with exam stress and phobia – Exam Pressure
However, some positive steps may help the examinees to reduce their stress and assist them in achieving their target. Below mentioned are some simple yet effective steps to combat the so called “Exam Fever”…
- Many a time students are advised to prepare a Time Table and follow it regularly. However, very few follow this advice and as a result, just before the exams they find themselves in deep water. In such a situation, it will be helpful if the student identifies which subjects/papers/topics are hard to deal with but are essential from the exam point of view. Every night just before going to sleep, you should go through those difficult topics and after waking up the next morning, once again you should revise the same topics. This should be done every day, till the exams commence. If this practice is followed for at least 2 weeks, there will be a remarkable progress in you and you’ll gain more confidence.
- Students who do not regularly indulge in physical exercises or meditation are advised to bring about a slight change in their daily routine at least 1 month prior to their exams. Try to wake up as early as possible. Then for half an hour sit quietly with your legs folded and close your eyes. Forget everything and concentrate on your papers/subjects you’ll be appearing for in the forthcoming exams. Try to evaluate your position, how much portion of your studies you have completed and how much is yet to be finished. Then decide which topics you want to complete on that day. For half an hour, you should not think of anything but studies. This will serve a dual purpose. First of all, for half an hour you focus remains on your exams only, serving the purpose of meditation. Since meditation is nothing but keeping your focus on one particular thing and forgetting the rest. Many people find it hard to meditate since their mind is always thinking about multiple things at a time. They find it hard to concentrate on any one thing even for half an hour. Secondly, since you are thinking of your studies only, mentally you are devising a target which you intend to achieve on that day. This helps to plan your studies daily.
- Mock Tests are indeed helpful, since Practice makes a man perfect. Spare some time in-between your studies and try to imagine the day of your exam. Think of all the necessary things you need to carry with yourself to the examination centre say for example, admit card, pen, pencils, erasers, geometrical instruments (if any) etc. Then imagine yourself to be at the examination hall. You should be very careful while writing your Roll No./Registration No. on you answer sheets. Try to imagine all these things, and also the question paper pattern. If you are aware of the pattern, then try to imagine how you would be attempting the questions, which section would you start off with etc. Apart from these, also think of the situation where you find a drastic change in the question pattern, or a sharp increase in the difficulty level of the paper. You must also imagine these types of adverse situations and what you should do if such a situation occurs. Simulating these virtual situations in your mind makes you more tenacious and less vulnerable to harsh situations. Also you know how to act if such a situation befalls.
Remember, there is no short cut to success. However, for those late birds, the above practices would surely help them a lot, if followed truly for at least a month prior to the exams. If followed regularly, there is no doubt that you’ll reap richer benefits.