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Overcoming Exam Fear: A Guide for PUC Students
Knees weak, palms are sweaty. No, not the Eminem hit song, this is the anxious state students find themselves in, constantly. Exam-induced stress in students is not unheard of, in fact, it’s considered the norm in students of all age groups. The ‘remedy’ for this stressful condition that is thrown around is as we all know it, “If you study well, you don’t have to be worried.”
Is it that simple though? Many academics argue otherwise. This conventional advice — to put it simply — is wrong. The fear of underperforming is equally terrifying to a student who has done everything in his/her power to study and a student who maybe has not put in so much effort.
Exam stress can harm student’s health and academic performance, which is why it is crucial to weed out the problem from the start. So, what causes exam fear? It could be fear of failure, family pressure, unpreparedness or a bad history with tests.
So, how do you overcome exam stress? Given below is a fool-proof guide to staying calm, studying well, entering an examination hall with a certain confidence, and overcoming fear of exams一
- Do Not Binge Study:
Mugging up until the night before the exam is not advisable, as you will not be able to concentrate well while writing your exams. Students should take proper rest at night to perform at peak cognitive function during their tests. A minimum of seven to eight hours of sleep is recommended by academics for maximum results.
Mugging up also is not an effective way to retain information for your examinations. You have to give yourself ample time to engage with the study material and understand it well enough, which leads us to the next point一
- Preparing Well In Advance:
That means studying for the test early until you feel comfortable with the material. Don’t wait until the night before. If you aren’t sure how to study, ask your teacher or parent for help. Being prepared will boost your confidence, which will lessen your test anxiety.
If you start your revision early, it will help you in better understanding and recollection. If you start preparing well ahead of the exam, you can focus on all if not most of the topics. Revision should not be left for the last minute.
- Load Up On Good Fuel:
It is not uncommon to see students resort to easily accessible and highly processed foods such as candies, chocolates, chips, etc. Along with this also comes the consumption of caffeinated drinks that disrupt energy levels during preparation and on the day of the examination.
Again, the conventional advice we often hear is to eat well-balanced diets and wholesome foods. However, if you have not had eggs and oats as your everyday diet before, do not switch to them now.
This does two things一
- Mentally, it reduces the number of new environmental factors that could make the situation more alien than it needs to be.
- Physically, you remove the possibility of causing a bad digestional reaction to some new food you ate.
- Mock Tests:
Mock tests are important because of the practice they provide. Practice makes a person perfect. For a competitive exam, revision is key to remembering all that you have studied. Multiple attempts of Mock tests help students revise the entire syllabus in the simulated setting of the actual exam. This way they remember what they have learned and perform well in the actual exams.
Mock tests make you familiar with the style and scope of the question paper. Managing to finish the exam on time is challenging. Mock tests help you with time management which, in itself, is half the work done. You are given the chance to work on this problem and turn it into one of your strengths. After taking several mock tests, you will be in a position to work on your weaknesses and chalk out a plan to overcome them.
- Tutoring or Integrated Coaching:
Tutoring will prepare you for tests and exams, while tutors work with you on specific problem areas. Your grades and understanding of the subject will significantly improve when working with a tutor.
With integrated coaching, you will receive an individualized learning experience that you can’t always get in a classroom setting. Tutors can customize the lessons and activities just for you. They get to know your learning style and can adapt teaching methods accordingly.
- Take Regular Breaks:
Studies show that breaks in your study routine can positively affect your attention abilities. Taking breaks from studying every ninety minutes or so can improve both focus and attention.
In addition to taking regular study breaks, what you do with each break can matter, too. It’s important to choose the right type of activity for your study break so that you can return refreshed and focused, ready to get back to your books.
Additionally, you should set a timer so that you can space out your study breaks and not take a break for longer than necessary. When the timer sounds, you know it’s time to get back to work.
- Avoid Being A Perfectionist:
Don’t expect to be perfect. We all make mistakes and that’s okay. Knowing you’ve done your best and worked hard is all that matters, not perfection.
If you start to have anxious or defeated thoughts, such as “I’m not good enough,” “I didn’t study hard enough,” or “I can’t do this,” push those thoughts away and replace them with positive thoughts. “I can do this,” “I know the material,” and “I studied hard,” can go far in helping to manage your stress level when taking a test.
If you are looking to skyrocket your success and are considering attempting competitive examinations, let us tell you why Presidency College is all that you’ve been looking for 一 Presidency PU college has the best infrastructure, equipment, faculty, and integrated coaching programs. We are the one-stop solution for future commerce and science graduates and provide world-class education while building well-rounded and morally sound students.
We provide special assistance and guidance to competitive examination aspirants.
Enrol today at one of the best PU colleges in Dakshina Kannada! Drop by our campus at Kelarai Post, Bondathila, Kuntadaka, Mangalore, or contact us at +91-8277146010/ 0824-2272405/ 8277146044 today!