Dear child, I hope that my response will be of some assistance to you.
It is important to recognize that test anxiety is not something that can be entirely eliminated and that it is a normal phenomenon.
Exams are a means of evaluating students' knowledge and academic level. However, they are also competitive tests conducted under a certain degree of pressure. From a psychological perspective, exams assess not only students' knowledge but also their ability to adapt to specific situations. Consequently, individuals may exhibit different coping mechanisms when confronted with the pressure of exams.
Some individuals are unable to accept their anxiety and instead attempt to suppress it entirely. This can result in a paradoxical increase in anxiety and nervousness due to the stress of attempting to relax.
What is meant by the term "anxiety"?
Anxiety is an emotional state characterized by feelings of unease or fear that lack an objective cause. It is a normal response to challenging situations and can manifest as nervousness and discomfort. In severe cases, it may also present with vegetative dysfunction, such as chest tightness, palpitations, fatigue, dry mouth and tongue, lack of concentration, sweating, and other symptoms.
Test anxiety is defined as a series of anxiety responses that occur when an individual is confronted with the challenge of an examination. This encompasses both pre-exam anxiety, which is the apprehension about the expectations of the examination, and on-the-spot anxiety, which is the anxiety experienced during the examination itself.
Specific manifestations of test anxiety include feelings of tension, a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweaty palms, abdominal discomfort, frequent urination, trembling hands, and so forth. When an individual experiences extreme anxiety, the following symptoms may manifest: a slowing of the heartbeat, loss of muscle tone, and even fainting. When these symptoms appear, it is important to recognize that test anxiety is occurring.
Anxiety is a normal human emotion that serves a purpose. It can fully mobilize the functions of various organs in the body, moderately improve the reaction speed and alertness of the brain. As long as there is a level of concern regarding the exam, anxiety is inevitable. However, most candidates do care, and thus, most candidates will experience a certain degree of nervousness, which maintains their attention and a state of alertness, which is beneficial to improving exam performance.
It is only when the level of anxiety is excessive that it becomes harmful.
Therefore, it is imperative not to resist anxiety, as this will inevitably result in heightened anxiety levels. It is important to recognise that anxiety is a normal phenomenon and cannot be eliminated.
What is the recommended course of action when an individual is experiencing excessive exam anxiety?
1. Avoid resisting the anxiety.
2. Identify test anxiety
It is essential to comprehend the underlying causes. There is a possibility that the examinee may not pass the examination, and the probability is lower than initially anticipated. This is when anxiety and apprehension set in.
It can be reasonably deduced, therefore, that desire is a contributing factor to the onset of anxiety.
Such circumstances may precipitate a state of elevated anxiety, characterized by a constellation of factors including elevated expectations of self or educators, apprehension regarding external evaluations, deficiencies in self-assurance and self-reproach, an anxious disposition (encompassing fantasies of failure and emotional lability), and a proclivity to overestimate capabilities and pursue incompatible objectives.
In the event that one is lacking confidence and belittling oneself, the following course of action is recommended:
Firstly, it is imperative to overcome procrastination. Those who exhibit self-doubt are more likely to procrastinate, and conversely, the more one procrastinates, the more self-doubt is likely to intensify.
It is advisable to devise a comprehensive plan in advance of the examination and then to adhere to it meticulously.
It is recommended that students establish positive mental suggestions, recall their previous successful experiences, and evoke the psychological sensation of success. This can be achieved by repeating the affirmation, "I can definitely succeed in this exam," to oneself. This technique has been shown to reduce stress and enhance self-confidence.
It is important to emphasise the power of accumulation and to focus on the gains made, rather than on shortcomings. It is beneficial to focus on what can be done and on the skills that are acquired on a daily basis. This allows one to gain a sense of progress and to feel more at ease.
Individuals with an anxious personality, a proclivity for imagining failure, and a tendency toward sentimentality may benefit from the following strategies:
It is important to find a balance. For example, if you are nervous, it is likely that others are too. Those with good grades may be more nervous than you because they have higher expectations of themselves and are more anxious. It is therefore important not to feel that you are the most nervous person in the room, as everyone is nervous.
It is important to challenge negative beliefs and to identify some of the irrational beliefs that may be present in one's thinking. Once these beliefs have been identified, it is crucial to recognize their irrationality and to remind oneself that there is no need to dwell on them excessively.
It is recommended that students engage in training activities that do not require significant cognitive effort, such as participating in daily routines. It is advised that students refrain from studying during activities such as eating, walking, or bathing. When students are engaged in activities that do not require significant cognitive effort, they may experience a reduction in anxiety.
As the examination date draws near, it is advisable to adjust one's daily objective to concentrate on the absorption and mastery of the knowledge points. It is also recommended to set aside ambitious long-term goals and instead focus on enjoying each day and perceiving daily progress.
If one is of an over-ambitious disposition and has set unrealistic goals, one may consider the following:
It is not uncommon for students to aspire to excel beyond the achievements of their peers, and to experience feelings of envy towards those who appear to have an advantage. In such instances, it can be beneficial to seek guidance from an experienced educator, who can offer advice and guidance on setting realistic and achievable goals.
It is not uncommon for individuals to lack the ability to accurately assess their own position. In such cases, seeking the input of two teachers can provide a more objective perspective.
It is important to accept one's own limitations. Setting unrealistic goals can lead to feelings of anxiety. It is more beneficial to focus on doing one's best and doing what one can.
It is important to avoid excessive competitiveness and to maintain one's own pace. A step-by-step approach is recommended.
3. Acceptance
It is important to understand the characteristics of anxiety, which can be likened to a paper tiger. The more one fears it, the more anxious one becomes. However, when one understands what it is, one is no longer afraid of it and instead feels fine and lets it go.
In the event of an anxiety attack, it is important to remain calm and continue with one's usual activities while maintaining a sense of self. This approach can help to gradually reduce the intensity of the anxiety, although if there is a tendency to fear the attack, it may have a more pronounced effect.
4. Relaxation
In the event of an anxiety attack, it is recommended to perform a series of breathing exercises. These exercises involve inhaling deeply, holding the breath for a brief period, and then exhaling slowly. This process should be repeated a few times to achieve relaxation. It is advised to practice these exercises whenever possible to facilitate a quick and effective response when anxiety arises.
It is recommended that individuals engage in aerobic exercise at least twice per week. Examples of suitable activities include running, playing basketball, playing badminton, playing table tennis, or going for a walk.
It is important to note that excessive intensity should be avoided to prevent injury. Approximately 30 to 60 minutes per session is sufficient.
As the examination date approaches, the specific content of the review is less important than the maintenance of the review habit, which will facilitate relaxation. Two weeks prior to the examination, it is advisable to create a plan for the examination. It is not recommended to attempt an exhaustive review of the entire content, but rather to focus on a selective review and summary. This may include a review of the notes, an analysis of past examination papers with errors, and so forth.
In the week preceding the examination, it is inadvisable to attempt questions of an excessively high level of difficulty. Instead, it is more beneficial to focus on questions of a relatively simple nature, as well as those that align with the anticipated difficulty level of the examination. This approach will facilitate a sense of ease and confidence. When organizing the examination papers and questions, it is helpful to actively remind oneself of the effort invested and the knowledge gained, thereby instilling a sense of self-assurance.
It is advisable to organize one's life in a scientific manner, avoiding excessive periods of wakefulness. It is important to recognize that each individual has a limited amount of energy available in a given day. After investing a significant amount of time in preparation, it is not uncommon to experience fatigue during the final stages. It is therefore essential to adjust one's daily routine in accordance with the time of the examination and to ensure that seven hours of sleep are obtained each night. It is also important to avoid studying immediately after eating. This is because the consumption of food results in a significant amount of blood remaining in the stomach, which deprives the brain of oxygen. This can have a detrimental impact on cognitive function. It is, however, possible to engage in other activities during this period, such as listening to music, taking a walk, or engaging in conversation.
It is important to adjust to the excitement of the exam, as it is conducted during the day. Therefore, it is essential to modify one's schedule to ensure sufficient energy levels throughout the day. Three to five days prior to the exam, it is beneficial to complete practice exams of a similar level to the actual exam, without the necessity to learn new material. During other periods, it is sufficient to memorize additional knowledge points.
As a point of reference, I wish you the best of luck.
Comments
I totally get how you feel. It's really overwhelming when you're facing exams after a long break. Just breathe and try to focus on what you can control. Start with small study goals and build up from there.
The fear of not doing well is valid, but remember that each exam is a chance to learn. Try to view it as a step in your learning journey rather than the endallbeall. You've got this!
It's tough when you haven't performed as well as you'd like in the past. But now's the time to change that narrative. Break down your study into manageable chunks and reward yourself for each bit of progress.
Anxiety can be paralyzing, especially when you feel the stakes are high. Maybe talking to someone who has been through similar experiences could help ease your mind. Sometimes just sharing our worries makes them seem smaller.
Feeling like your efforts might go to waste is scary. How about setting up a study schedule that includes breaks? That way, you're giving your best effort without burning out. Plus, breaks can help reduce anxiety.