The expectations of performing well in an exam and the fear of failing cause anxiety. In some cases, students may become depressed just from thinking about how their parents and teachers will react to performing poorly.
We put too many expectations on our backs that we become so disappointed if we fail to achieve them. However, when exams are drawing nearer, placing such expectations only makes you uneasy, and in most cases, you may feel less prepared for the paper. So, since you cannot wish away exams, you can try out these tips to keep yourself calm.
1. Strive To Get Enough Sleep
Poor sleep cycles leave your mind tired and lower your concentration levels. So as you burn the midnight oil trying to grasp some content you missed out on, remember to get some sleep. Sleeping also helps relieve the tension since it is the only time you completely put your mind to rest. It also saves you the time you could have used to doubt yourself. Good rest will go a long way in saving your energy and easing your mind to concentrate better.
2. Proper Time Management
Exam anxiety comes from the fear of running out of time to carry out enough revision or to grasp the relevant content. Therefore, time management is essential when preparing for your exam. Once you manage your time well, you will have ample time for revision, and thus you will avoid the last-minute rush. You will even sneak in some extra time to relax, banter with friends, or do some expert writing on your pending essay.
With a clear mind, come up with a study schedule. It will help you prioritize and touch on all the important topics. While at it, you can also develop various ways to tackle exam questions. Having a well- laid-out plan helps students with organization. It is impossible to achieve good time management without a plan. Therefore, you need to create a schedule for using your time to cover all the relevant topics.
3. Do Not Compare Yourself With Others
It is natural to call up your classmates and brainstorm on a few topics. While this could be nothing, it may cause anxiety and stress. It's also normal to get worried when you see what others have covered, especially when comparing it to what you have done.
You should not pay much attention to what others are doing; instead, focus on your preparation. Even the best essay writers online don't compare themselves with others because they are confident in what they do. So concentrate on doing your thing right.
Additionally, use the discussions to learn a concept you have not grasped instead of comparing yourself to other students. To achieve this, you can take mock tests to gauge your ability to handle the exam if it was placed on your desk before the main examination day.
4. Meditate
Meditation is a good way to beat stress, anxiety, and exam phobia. Doing it daily guarantees you peace of mind since it gives you calmness and disciplines your mind and body. If you do not enjoy meditation, you can opt for other stress relief methods like yoga and taking walks before your test.
What's important is you take some time off away from the school pressure and exam preparation to reconnect with yourself. Another decent alternative is delving into your favorite leisure activity. Such activities will help you take breaks between your revision as constant studying may exhaust your mind and body.
5. Stay Positive
Maintaining a positive attitude is key to good mental health during your exam period. Do not beat yourself up for things you have not grasped. Instead, focus on the concepts you have mastered and find a way to understand the ones you find hard to understand.
Declare that you will perform well in your upcoming exams. Positive affirmations make you optimistic and keep anxiety in control. Moreover, do not let your colleagues demotivate you. Give yourself some credit by looking at what you have achieved so far in your life as a student.
Bottom Line On Better Test Taking
A little tension may push you to work harder. However, it becomes a problem when it is beyond your control. Exam phobia can be a primary obstacle for your academic achievement; hence, the reason why you need to nip it in the bud.
There are various ways to deal with tests if you maintain an open mind. Proper time management, maintaining a positive mind, and getting some rest are some of the ways to overcome this fear of testing. Nevertheless, you must have a willing mind to pass your test with flying colors.