TIPTOP | How to overcome exam fear

Students get stressed and nervous at the time of exams. This leads to anxiety. ALKA KAPUR shares tips that may help

Examinations give an opportunity to every child to reach his/her full educational potential with flying colours. However, students tend to become restless and nervous at the time of exams. The bug bear of an examination interrupts the smooth course of a student’s life. Students generally find exams so difficult that the phobia makes them fall ill as they simply find themselves unable to cope up with the exam fear and this fear factor  before the exams cause them to underperform on their D-day. But there is nothing to worry about. To ensure that courage doesn’t ooze out from the finger ends and the experience doesn’t become perplexing and exasperating, the only thing you require is the amalgamation of 3 Ds viz a viz determination, dedication and discipline in one’s life.

Fear can be overcome by combining self-confidence with disciplined study and faith in one’s abilities. So, students are advised not to lose heart and gain control of the situation with a calm mind.

Here are some of the tips to overcome fear and anxiety:

• Prepare a revision timetable and set out what topics, subjects you want to cover each day.
• Start planning well before the exam begins.
• Make your timetable in such a manner that you keep sometime for relaxation.
• Make sure you are able to shell out sometime for exercise, walking, cycling, swimming, dancing, anything to get rid of stress in your body.
• Go out with friends, listen to music, do whatever you enjoy to relax yourself but keep time frame in mind.
• Have a balanced diet. Make sure you always eat breakfast to keep yourself energised the entire day. You can only concentrate when you are physically and mentally fit.
• Practice regular meditation as it helps improve concentration.
• Test your preparation from time to time by attempting sample papers and mock tests. Nothing gives you a better reality check than those tests. Performing well in these tests will help you overcome exam fear.
• Don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Reach out to your teachers, mentor or peers to make headway.
• Think positively as your expectations can affect your performance.

• Remind yourself that exams will not determine your success or failure in life.
• Sleep well at night before the exam.
• Never compare yourself with other students.
• Make notes while studying as these notes will be useful during revision.

So, cultivate fearlessness and face exams boldly and success will embrace you.  

The writer is Principal, Modern Public School Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi