How to overcome exam phobia?

Exams create a different environment altogether. The fear of exams is one of the most common things which every student experiences in their life. But having excessive and unreasonable fear due to exam pressure or anticipation of a horrible situation may cause anxiety. Though this is not very unusual, but can have a negative and adverse effect on a student’s performance.

Some of the main reasons for anxiety are stress, expectations, competition, and comparison with other students. While students often experience peer pressure, parents are worried about their societal status and all of these make the condition worse. So, there is a need to overcome exam phobia.

Here are some strategies to overcome exam phobia and reduce anxiety as well as stress levels:

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF: This is the first step.. A student is the only one who knows his/her abilities and skills and thus,he/she must believe in the potential he/she possesses. One can achieve heights and achieve goals if he/she has faith and believe in herself/himself.

DON’T COMPARE: Each individual is different and unique,  and no two individuals are the same. Everyone is different and has a different IQ and mental capacity. No need to compare yourself with any other student.

SET TIMETABLE:  Every individual has 24 hours, but still one may make a complaint about the shortage of time. This is because of the unscheduled timetable. Before exams, one must make a proper timetable for everything. Allocation of time for study and rest should be accurate.

STAY FOCUSED: During exams, mindset matters a lot. One must stay away from the things that disturb their concentration.

REGULAR STUDY: Attending classes regularly and completing home assignments on time will also help to boost confidence levels and reduce exam phobia.

MEDITATION AND EXERCISE: Meditation is one of the best ways to calm your mind. A student must make a habit of exercising at least 30 minutes daily. It surely increases the concentration power and helps in memorising things.

DIET: Like a car can’t be driven without fuel, similarly how is it possible for us to be physically and mentally fit without a nutritious diet? So, it is necessary to have a healthy and balanced diet as well as take care of oneself to achieve goals and meet all expectations.

COUNSELLOR’S HELP: In spite of these strategies, if anxiety and stress level becomes uncontrollable, don’t hesitate to consult a counsellor. It’s ok to ask for help. It helps to change the thought process, negative thoughts and beliefs.

With all these strategies students will be able to reduce their anxiety and stress to a large extent during exams. Always remember one thing in life, “Never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time.” Tomorrow is too late and yesterday is over. So, now is the perfect time to get up and be prepared for the examination. Stay safe and positive.

All the best students!

Please Note: This article has been written by Ms. Shilpi. Views expressed in this article are that of the author only.