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How to Overcome Exam Anxiety

 

By Shreya Deo


Being a student comes with many pros and cons, no doubt. But one of the biggest points of concern that has been more prominent amongst students in higher grade levels is exam stress and anxiety. Anxiety is one thing that only happens to some people, but exam anxiety can hit anyone at any point of time in their schooling. That's why, today, I wanted to talk a little bit about how to prevent exam anxiety and stress.

Ever since I entered middle school, I always had a worrying factor at least once a week- tests and quizzes. I was always well prepared, but the underlying fear of getting a bad grade used to hit hard. The moments before a test, even while knowing all the material, I used to frantically re-read my extensively detailed notes. (It never really made a difference, though, because I knew what the material was. It was only for the satisfaction that my eyes had seen the notes at least once before the test.) But during the test, I used to breeze through it and eventually get a good grade. This isn't really 'anxiety', though, because it is way less severe than what exam anxiety really looks like. 

What is exam anxiety?

Exam anxiety is something that we have all heard about, but haven't really identified well enough. Exam anxiety is simply the fear of taking an exam that can be owed to various factors. Some that people identify with are getting negative results on past exams, not being well prepared, or even health reasons. You might have seen one of your peers experiencing this when they are sweating profusely before a test, rapidly walking around, or having trouble breathing and needing to step out of the room. While these are definitely more extreme cases, they happen. 

But is stress before exams really all that bad for you? The answer is no. According to the University of Melbourne, a moderate level of stress is important before an exam, as it keeps you alert and reminds you that the exam you are about to take is not just anything that you can fluke. However, exam stress is bad for you when it occurs frequently and begins to harm your mental health. 

Express your concerns

Identifying that you have exam anxiety is the first step of tackling the issue. If you notice that you feel uneasy before an exam, or if you forget everything during the test, it is best to talk to a parent, teacher, or counselor about the situation. Chances are, you will receive help on how to tackle the situation. On top of that, talking to someone about the nervousness you feel will make you feel better and lighten the stress in your mind. Always remember that often, talking to someone gives you a solution or method to fix your problem. 

The importance of preparation

Preparation, in any context, will always prove to be beneficial for you. If you prepare before taking a driving test, you will do well. If you prepare a travel itinerary before a trip, your vacation will go smoothly. The same way, if you are prepared before an exam, you will definitely have an easier time during the exam. Now, this doesn't guarantee that the exam will be easy all the time. Sometimes, even after full preparation, the exam turns out to be difficult, for whatever the reason. But preparation will definitely help you overcome stress before a test. Something as simple as paying attention in class and taking notes, or going as far as going home, watching a few videos about the concept, and taking your own set of notes will also help. Some students go as far as taking a few practice tests in the days leading up to the test. If you want any methods to use to prepare for a test, you can go check out our Subject Series blogs!

Healthy habits

While this is often quite neglected, it is the most important of all. Healthy habits are crucial for overcoming any sort of anxiety. Drinking water and proper hydration, at least 7 hours of sleep, eating on time, and going outside are all very important parts of our lives that will translate directly to the outcomes of exam anxiety. You might see notice before the STAAR test, an email is sent out with information about the test, and it also mentions that a good 8 hour sleep and eating a good breakfast is recommended. The reasoning behind this is not too complicated. It is simply because following a good cycle of living keeps our mind and body on track and alert to tackle any situation, as in this case, an exam.

Conclusion

Exam anxiety is something that has risen over the past few years, but hasn't been spoken about much. However, identifying the root cause of anxiety and knowing how to tackle it will help you tons. Remember, everyone experiences nervousness in something or the other, and you aren't alone. Speak out about the problems you are facing, and solutions will come on their own. We hope you found today's article helpful!


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