No matter how old you are or what exam you are writing, it is natural to feel anxious because it might feel like a lot is at stake. Everyone deals with exam anxiety in their own way – some pray, some sleep, some bite nails, some study more and some binge eat. Some sense of nervousness before an exam is healthy as it keeps you alert and motivated, but when this anxiety affects your ability to think clearly or makes you physically weak, it is time to find remedial solutions. If you are finding it difficult to address exam anxiety in a productive manner, here is a list of six helpful tips we’ve curated that will help you keep exam jitters at bay.
- Prepare
The first step to fight anxiety is to prepare for the exam on time. It is very important that students study thoroughly for their exam in an organized manner because it boosts one’s confidence – if you feel fully prepared, you won’t feel too nervous. Thinking calmly during an exam is essential for solid performance. There is no shortcut to studying – so pick up that book and start reading!
Preparing for an exam is vital but it alone cannot help overcome the exam anxiety. A student usually feels nervous thinking about how the paper will be, if they will be able to answer the questions in time and if they will retain all that they have studied. This is where practice tests and revisions play a significant role. If a student studies diligently and then give a few mock tests, they get further familiar with the subject and can learn from their mistakes.
- Value A Healthy Body & Mind
It is so important to keep your mind and body healthy by eating a balanced diet, sleeping for 7 hours a day and simply being at ease. All the knowledge you gain through studying proves useless if you are not healthy enough to apply it with the right frame of mind.
- Study With Partners
Studying alone can feel quite boring after a point. Try studying with a partner or in an actual study group. This tactic allows you to test your skills with one another and also enables you to learn from your peers.
- Follow Routine
The importance of following a study routine cannot be emphasized enough. A fixed study timetable trains your mind and body to get easily acquainted with a set pattern – as a result, knowledge is retained for a longer time.
- Stop Studying 3-4 Hours Before The Exam
Another great way to ensure a peaceful and calm state of mind before an exam is to stop studying / revising at least 3-4 hours before the exam. The truth is nothing can come out of last-minute cramming, so stay positive and put yourself at ease. Face the exam with complete confidence.
We hope these six tips help you ace your exams without any anxiety. Exams are built to test our knowledge, not to keep us on our toes and frighten us. Adopt these simple yet effective tactics before your exam to enter the examination hall with your head held high!
Also published on Medium.