How to handle exam stress ?

Every single student does get stress of the exam. There is no exception for that. (If someone tells you she doesn’t get then ignore her, she is just lying: P). What makes difference is the way with which we handle it. We often see students getting totally stressed out, red-eyed, with a face tensed as if their task is to get the world out of ancient problems, entering exam hall.
Let’s first talk about why this happens?

First and very simple reason is anxiety. After all the efforts and study we put for the preparation, getting restless at the end is obvious; anxiety is not something we should be bothered about. The problem comes when we start getting panic.
Panic state comes due to one of the following reasons.

Lack of preparation

Well, nobody can really help us if we are totally unprepared. Many a times we do some preparation but unable to complete it, and if luck doesn’t favor and we get the worst possible paper then panic state seems pretty certain; In such cases tackling exam smartly to mitigate damage is the only thing we can do.

Inability to handle anxiety

Who doesn’t get anxious? It is pretty much natural. But how we take this anxiety is more important. Some of us underperform in such cases and some of us do better than they think can of. Falling in latter category is what we should aim for.

Inability to handle unexpected questions

Life is full of uncertainties, isn’t it? Coming across unexpected questions in the exam is quite usual thing. Now what we are going to do in such case? Are we going to get under pressure and lose the flow or we are going to handle it calmly by relating the question with whatever knowledge we have gained.

Poor Time Management

Time Management is where the toppers surpass ordinary students. It’s impossible to score to the full potential unless we manage time optimally. Many capable students can’t live up to their potential because of not-so-good time management. That’s why they rightly say, Time is Money !

Understanding of the language

Many students think command on language is important only for the language related papers, which is absolutely not   true.  Good understanding of the language grammar and vocabulary helps in the sentence formation while writing answers in the exam. Moreover, we can focus on the content when we are comfortable with the language.

The Math Problem

For many students Mathematics is the biggest evil. But in reality, mathematics is all about applying basic rules. Let’s not get into Derivatives and Integration but high school math is fairly easy once understood.

Now, Let’s see how shall we tackle this exam pressure. Some ideas which I have used successfully I am sharing with you.

Don’t study Overnight before the exam

Here, many of you may call me insane, but this has always worked for me. I strongly believe taking less sleep on the night before exam makes us vulnerable to exam pressure. Especially, when we have to appear for an exam where our logical thinking will be tested. A tired brain can’t really bring gold. Can it?

Don’t get intimidated by Peers

We often get intimidated by our peers, their preparation etc; but we should understand that the way of preparation is different for different individuals. Moreover, it never means that if your peers study more they will always score more. It solely depends on how you look at it. If you believe you have studied enough then be calm.

DON’T study till the last moment

Many of us have habit of studying until we enter exam hall. That is not something I recommend. Our brain is not a machine which can work relentlessly. It needs a break, to grasp things, to let them sink. When you understand things, the answers which our brain gives us are derivative. Let me just put it in this way, when we study till the last moment, we may remember answers from what we studied on 11^th hour, but that often makes us forget what we studied earlier. So end result is not what we desire for.
Better stop studying at least half hour before you appear for the exam, listen to a soft song may be, it will keep mind calm and will give us the vital time needed to get mentally prepared to appear for the exam.

The last suggestion is.. STUDY !

 STUDY.. 

Yes.. What all things I have told you are secondary if you are just not prepared. Exam pressure haunts when preparation is not done. Let’s get it straight, toppers are not toppers by fluke, they study hard and write exam smartly to be one. Simple logic is, if you know what all possible questions you can be put to face then the exam stress can’t really catch you off-guard.
In life, we prepare for the troubles which are expected and we stumble when unexpected things happen,  right ?

Exam is no less than such game. You play it good when you are done with the HOMEWORK !

How you prepare yourself for the exam ? Let our readers know. 🙂

– GAURAV