Nearly the end of semester, most students face finals, papers, projects and for some, finding a job after graduation. The important examinations are around the corner and you’re feeling really stressed up.
Almost everyone feels nervous before an exam. Exam nerves are probably familiar to all students. In fact, a certain amount of nervous tension probably helps us perform to the best of our ability, producing a rush of adrenaline that helps us to feel alert and focused. But too much anxiety can block thoughts, create a negative frame of mind, and lead to panic and potentially poor exam performance.
There are a number of things you can do to help manage exam anxiety and turn uncomfortable, panicky thoughts into more creative tension.Before the exam date, first start to clean up your room. Your study table is probably cluttered with notes and books. Organizing your room will not only relax your mind but it will also give you a clean and tidy area to study.
It's hard to panic if you are feeling relaxed. That’s why short breaks in between revision and taking time off every few days will help to calm you down and recharge your mind and body. Experiment until you find the best way of relaxing to suit you - a long bath, exercise, listening to music, or a relaxation tape.
Set up tuition group, it also helps to feel as well-prepared as possible. As well as thinking about the subjects you are revising, it can be useful to pay attention to practical aspects of the exam.
You should put yourself into a positive frame of mind by imagining how you would like things to go. Imagine yourself turning up for the exam feeling confident and relaxed - try to picture it in as much detail as possible. Rather like rehearsing for a part in a play, this can replace negative, anxious thoughts with more positive ones.
During you are in the exam, when you get into the exam room and sit down, the following approach can help settle your nerves; take a deep breath in and a long breath out. When you are tense, your breathing tends to become faster and shallower. So, allow your breathing to come from lower down in your abdomen (this doesn't mean inhaling a lot of air - rather, just a little air, but from low down) and this will help you to slow your breathing down a little (but don't actually hold your breath). Let it become gentle, easy and regular. Once it is comfortable, you may be able to slow your breathing a little more.
After you fell more comfortable, you should start with read the whole paper once, then read those questions carefully and make sure you understand what is required.
Decide on the order in which you'll answer the questions. It is usually best to begin with the one you feel most confident about. Think about how you will plan your time, and stick to your plan. These can help you to relax during the examination.
However, you may need some additional support to relax, or to apply this in stressful circumstances. You could join a relaxation training class, attend to college counseling service, or consider spiritual approaches such as prayer or meditation.
Developing techniques for managing panic is worth to find the way to relax in such a difficult time like the end of semester which is full of things to do. It takes not much time but may have a profound effect on your ability to believe in yourself and the task in hand. Have a good performance for this semester with relaxation and low stress.