Exams

Once again it is exam time and the thought of performance and evaluation in exams is a cause of stress for almost everyone. Do you find yourself panicking when you have several exams to take in a short period or do you feel a lot more stress during mid-terms and finals?

In my opinion you shouldn’t be worried if the thought of approaching exams makes you somewhat nervous as stress can be a positive motivating force and is a normal behaviour. However, beyond a certain point, stress can interfere with your performance and you might become unable to recall things which you know very well. You might also fail to read a question with concentration as you’re too apprehensive to pay proper attention.

Another problem encountered by most students while giving an exam is that on seeing the person next to you writing frantically, you tell yourself that you’ll fail because everyone is writing much more than you. This may lead you to think that you are just not smart enough or will never be able to do well in exams.

You need to increase your self-awareness about the exam process and shun these self-defeating statements to do well in an exam. Deal with your tension before and between exams through rest, exercise and deep muscle relaxation. For example, long walks and cycling are excellent ways to release nervous energy and maintain your stamina for the duration of your exam period. Going to a gym as well is not at all a bad idea and always adopts a positive approach and thinking.

To avoid becoming too anxious, look at the exam as the diligent step of your study labours, instead of a hostile and all new encounter. Please kindly try to keep away from people who are highly anxious before exams, as their nervousness may tend to increase your own and do schedule a meal with family or friends at a restaurant, or watch a movie; a visit to a friend’s periodically throughout finals is not a bad idea as well and do plan a treat when they’re all done as these help keep your spirits high.

However, this does not mean you become overly-optimistic. More importantly, do not be fooled by statements like, “I don’t care at all if I flunk this exam,” or “that paper is just a waft.” It is always advisable to concentrate on being reasonable by assessing the substantiation for the unconstructive self-statements.

Prepare a broad to-do list. Write down the date of each exam and plan how much time you can allot to studying each course and do remember that your hardest course will require more time. Programme study periods as to avoid any last-minute cramming which is always very confusing and useless, also try to adopt basic concepts and basic relationships of real life instances. Do go through the information often as this will guarantee that the topic has been memorized and also it will widen the understanding level. Don’t study for two similar courses consecutively for example, study chemistry and then Urdu instead of chemistry and then biology.

Starting your exam time with impossibly long study periods is likely to leave you exhausted before it is all over, therefore do take schedule breaks even if you haven’t studied much the year round and keep up with the normal daily practices as much as possible. If you do get off your routine and need extra time, avoid staying up all night and rest appropriately as you will be able to understand and remember much better when you have rested than you would if you postpone rest. Coffee, tea and Cola drinks all contain caffeine and are relatively safe ways to help you stay awake.

As you approach the first exam, and the time between exams, spend your last hours calmly reviewing what had been learnt and try not to tackle new material then. The shorter you are on sleep the less clearly you will be able to think and write what you know on the exam. The night before an exam when you are more anxious than usual is one of the least effective times for study. Your ability to deal with concepts and integrate bits and pieces is greatly reduced, and even your ability to memorize is impaired by marked anxiety. Cramming only serves to make you more hysterical about the exam and, hence, less prepared to do your best. If you do come up to exam time unprepared, use your last minute studying as a review of key concepts, instead of trying to learn it all. Be realistic about what you can accomplish and do set priorities based on what you expect to be highlighted in the test and stay tranquil.

In conclusion, I would like to say that just a few days before exams, read the back of your exam timetable most carefully for the rules and regulations, so that you know what you can take into the examination hall and when you may start writing. Do reduce anxiety and awkwardness by checking the time and place of each exam. Arrive a few minutes early, and make sure that you have all the materials you need for the exam. Make sure you have your student ID/admit card, as you will not be able to take the exam without it.

Also too much anxiety can have a devastating effect on both your exam preparation, and performance. It is essential to practice strategies in order to reduce your anxiety, lower stress levels, concentrate better and perform at your optimum levels. Some strategies you may take to overcome anxiety include exercises, walking or going to the gym and taking some time away from study to ‘focus’ yourself and provide a healthy balance in your life. Wishing you all the best for your exams!