In my second year, I was worried about deferring my fourth grade, my motivation to study decreased significantly, and I was very anxious. What should I do?

01

It's important to accept that anxiety exists.

I don't know if you've ever experienced this, but the more we try to avoid something, the more likely we are to focus on it. The same goes for exam anxiety. When we tell ourselves that we mustn't be anxious, anxiety actually sets in.

We can tell ourselves that it's only natural to feel anxious in such stressful situations. We can still perform at our best with anxiety. It's also natural to accept our imperfections and that our revision state will fluctuate occasionally.

02

Next, we'll look at how to relax the body.

When we feel nervous or anxious, certain parts of our body also get tense. At the same time, relaxing our bodies can help us feel more peaceful. Here are three tips for relaxing our bodies:

(1) Breathing relaxation

You can use breathing exercises anytime, even during an exam. Just take a minute to take a few deep breaths. It's simple and effective.

(2) Relaxation through visualization

We all have a peaceful, calm, and serene scene in our hearts. It could be a beautiful beach, a mysterious tropical rainforest, or the starry night sky. When we're feeling nervous, it's a good idea to think about such a scene, immerse ourselves in it for a while, and let the anxiety no longer bother us.

(3) Progressive muscle relaxation

Tensing and relaxing your muscles can help you relax. If you can, you should also do some aerobic exercise. This can help relieve anxiety and make you more resilient.

03

Look for more positive thoughts.

Our thoughts often affect our emotions. We have a lot of internal conversations in our minds. Negative internal conversations can make us see more of the bad side of things. On the other hand, you can give yourself some positive mental suggestions, which may help you face the exam better. For example:

"I've done everything I can to prepare, and I'm ready to face the exam with confidence."

"Last time I didn't do as well as I'd hoped on the exam, but that gave me the chance to identify some gaps in my knowledge. This time I'm going to make sure I don't make the same mistake."

"This exam is just one of many tests I'll face in my career. How my future unfolds will depend on my own efforts from here on."

Draw on past successes to find strength.

04

It's time to adjust your mentality and accept the facts.

If the exam has been postponed, it's important to stay calm and keep your focus on preparing for it. After all, every minute you spend complaining is time someone else is using to prepare for the exam.

You might as well use this time to improve your grades.

Picture

05

Make sure you adjust your plan and stay organized.

With the exam on hold, there's more time to prepare. That means you can spend more time going over earlier topics and filling in any gaps in your knowledge.

For students who are behind, studying harder gives them another chance to catch up or even surpass their peers.

Keep building up your experience for the exam. Before each self-test or mock exam, think about what you want to adjust or improve. For example, in terms of knowledge and ability, think about whether your problem-solving method is more mature and optimized, and whether your thinking is more agile and can get to the essence more directly. In terms of habits, think about whether your question review is more accurate, whether your writing is more standardized, whether your answer sequence is scientific, and so on, to avoid losing points due to non-intellectual factors.

Pictures

Ultimately, we should all be ready for the exam, no matter when it is. It's going to happen, and postponing it isn't the same as cancelling it. Before the exam, it's a good idea to brush up on your knowledge. Opportunities are for those who are prepared, and I hope everyone is one of them.

I understand your concerns, my child. You are eager to study diligently, but you are concerned that if the exam is postponed, all the time you have invested in studying will be wasted.

However, if you cease your revision now, you will regret it if you do not perform well in the examination as scheduled. It is a challenging task.

Let's tackle these issues head-on, identify the root causes, and see if that helps.

Firstly, I would like to enquire as to the purpose of your studies. Are you studying in order to enhance your reputation, or to develop the skills that will enable you to succeed in your chosen field?

Please describe your short-term and long-term professional objectives.

If you examine the immediate future, what is meaningful? And what is meaningless?

If you consider the long-term, decades- and tens-of-thousands-of-days perspective, you can achieve in ten days what would otherwise take one day. Even if the pace is slow, you are consistently moving closer to your goal, and there is hope in every step. When the purpose of learning is not just immediate gain, you can see the bigger picture.

Impulsivity will gradually diminish.

My child, the dilemma you face is unresolvable because there is no certainty.

It is unproductive to dwell on the uncertain. It is not possible to achieve certainty in this situation.

Then, we must consider whether we can alter our approach and focus on the tasks we can be sure of. For instance, we can arrange our time efficiently, accelerate the completion of essential review material, and then decelerate slightly to dedicate a portion of each day to consolidating our findings.

It is recommended that English should not be studied for a period of three days. If no practice is undertaken for one day, the subject will be perceived as unfamiliar the following day.

I am unsure if this is the case for you, but many people say they are, so let's proceed according to the majority's opinion. Once the main body of the study is complete, just consolidate it a little every day.

If you are certain that you will take the exam, you can conduct a comprehensive review a few days prior to the examination.

If you choose not to take the exam, you have not relinquished your efforts, nor have you invested additional time and resources.

In my opinion, effective learning requires the setting of clear goals and a determination to achieve them. Whether the goal is to compensate for a poor performance on a college entrance exam or to gain an advantage in a future job search, when the goal is achieved, other considerations will naturally fall into place.

You have indicated that you consistently seek certainty. This is indicative of a fear of lacking control over the future.

Firstly, it is important to distinguish between what is certain and what is uncertain. It is essential to understand what is certain, such as our learning state, learning motivation, learning methods and learning goals. This can be determined by the individual. In order to address the uncertain factors, we must then consider how to respond to these.

We focus on the aspects we can control, adjust our approach to align with these, and respond to external uncertainties with a positive mindset. As our ability to cope improves, these uncertainties will gradually become less of a concern.

Dear question author,

Facing the uncertain CET-4 exam, your motivation to learn English independently has diminished, which has caused you to experience significant anxiety. You are concerned that if you engage in review but do not take the exam, you will not achieve the high score you desire without extensive study.

Firstly, it would be beneficial to ascertain whether the efforts made to prepare for the CET-4 examination have resulted in any discernible improvement in one's English language abilities.

Do you believe this enhancement in English proficiency is transient or enduring? Based on your account, you may perceive it as transient, given that your current comprehension of the questions is exemplary, yet your future comprehension will not be as refined. What leads you to this conclusion?

One might inquire whether the improvement in one's English proficiency is merely transient. Additionally, it would be prudent to ascertain whether there is a CET-6 subsequent to the CET-4.

Secondly, regardless of whether one takes the test or not, the purpose of learning English is to improve one's level of English proficiency. It is a common misconception that a high score on the CET-4 will guarantee one a good job; however, this is not necessarily the case. A CET-4 score serves as an indicator of one's level of English proficiency, whereas oral expression ability, which requires a significant amount of practice, is of greater importance.

Subsequently, one may also take the oral exam and the CET-6. Thus, it is pertinent to inquire as to whether the candidate is prepared.

It is recommended that you modify your approach to English learning, not for the purpose of the examination, but to genuinely enhance your English proficiency and effectively integrate the knowledge you have acquired.

It is my sincere hope that this information will prove useful to you. Wishing you the best.

Hello, questioner!

Your words show me that you are anxious. I am here to tell you that you will overcome this. You have the ability to recognize your emotions and seek help, which shows that you have good self-awareness and positive self-expectations. I believe that your worries will soon be over.

I'm going to share some thoughts that I think will be helpful to you.

You say the English test is a year behind everyone else, and you're anxious.

If you consider your four years at university, it may seem like a step too slow. However, if you look at it over a longer period of time, over the course of your entire life, nearly a hundred years, a year is insignificant. Furthermore, the school decides when the exam is held, and you can't change that. So accept it.

You failed the college entrance exam, so you want to prove yourself by getting a high score. You'll also need a high score to find a job in the future.

Your idea is not wrong. College entrance exams and high scores are important, but they are not the only criteria. We must not fall into the trap of believing that grades are the only thing that matters. There are many other important abilities, such as moral education, physical education, and the ability to solve practical problems.

Let me give you some advice. You said there is no certainty, and I agree.

The only constant in the world is change. The college entrance exam may be put on hold due to the pandemic, so it is unclear whether the December test will be held as scheduled.

I advise you to prepare for the exam as planned and to prepare seriously. If it is postponed, you can use the extra time to get a higher score. At the very least, you will be more confident by then.

In life, you can't follow a plan to the letter. Unexpected situations arise, like the new crown that's confounded the globe. But whining, resisting, and avoiding won't help. Now is the time to face difficulties head-on, turn disadvantages into advantages, and attack bravely.

It's time to change your mindset and go from passive to proactive. You've got this!

Hello, I have recently completed my academic studies, and I can empathize with your anxiety. I have experienced the challenge of persevering through it, and I am excited about sharing some perspectives on anxiety and learning motivation that I have gained from my studies in education and psychology.

1. Motivation: You mentioned that you've been working on a lot of practice questions, but the exam is going to be delayed, which might make it challenging to maintain your optimal state and potentially impact your performance.

I commend you for your ambition to achieve a high score. I can see that you work hard and have high expectations for yourself, but I'm also concerned that overdoing practice questions might lead to mental fatigue and a loss of motivation. In terms of internal motivation, if the motivation for studying is to take exams and get high scores, confidence and motivation in learning can be affected by academic performance. However, if the motivation for studying is to master the skills of using English, then as your English proficiency improves, your motivation to learn will become stronger and stronger. When it comes time to take the exam, your score will naturally reflect your ability. In this case, as long as you believe that continuous learning will lead to progress, you will remain optimistic and keep studying, even if your academic performance fluctuates slightly.

Could I ask which of these motivates you most?

2. Regarding mentality: We are motivated to study, and the anxiety caused by worrying about not doing well in the exam serves as a driving force that reminds us to study hard. However, it is important to ensure that the anxiety does not become excessive, as this can affect learning efficiency and even the performance in the exam.

You mentioned that you're seeking a sense of certainty, and I believe that with dedication and perseverance, you can find it. English exams assess an individual's ability to use English effectively. Generally speaking, the longer you continue studying, the stronger your ability will become. Therefore, if you persist in your studies, your English level will undoubtedly improve. If you find the CET 4 exam to be less engaging, you have the option to explore other avenues for studying, such as reading more, writing more, communicating more, or even delving deeper into the subject matter and brushing up on your CET 6. By continuing to study, you will be well-prepared when the exam date is officially announced. I am confident that you will achieve a high score once again. I have taken CET 4, CET 6, and IELTS, and I have found that as long as your level is sufficient and your form is consistent, you will perform well.

I believe that by continuing to study, you will gradually make progress, which will give you a sense of certainty. This will help you to manage your expectations about the test time and other factors that are outside of your control, such as the epidemic.

I hope these two points I mentioned will be of some help. You might find it useful to read "Internal Drive" and "Anxiety." I wish you every success with your studies and exams, and that your dreams come true.

Good morning, classmate. As the prevalence of the epidemic fluctuates, your emotional state is also subject to fluctuations as you prepare for the examination, hoping that you can achieve a state of composure and prepare for the examination.

I empathize with your pre-exam anxiety, particularly the impact and influence of the uncertainty caused by the epidemic. I would like to examine with you the source of your anxiety and determine how to alleviate these stressors.

The discrepancy between the unpredictability of the pandemic and the certainty of the examination. The unpredictability of the pandemic will persist as an unchangeable reality in the near term. As individuals, we can only learn to confront it and normalize our learning lives to combat the pandemic.

Following over three years of epidemic prevention and control, it appears that we have come to accept this reality. The most effective approach to navigating this uncertainty is to focus on the present. The antithesis of uncertainty is certainty. Each of us should strive to settle in the present and do the best we can with what we have in the moment. Preparing for exams may be the most crucial aspect of the present.

From September to the present, I have been concerned that the CET-4 exam, which was already scheduled later than other schools, may be delayed further, which may affect your next exams. This uncertainty is beyond one's control, so it is necessary to accept it and address it.

Persisting in this state of uncertainty will inevitably result in a depletion of one's resilience and determination.

The knot of losing the college entrance exam can be unraveled and the mentality of compensation can be discarded. As previously stated, there is a suspicion that the failure in the college entrance exam has led to a certain degree of obsession. It is possible that the self-confidence was compensated for through this examination.

Indeed, each examination represents a test of learning at a specific stage. On occasion, a minor error can be a source of frustration. Given the unique significance of the college entrance examination, this frustration can become a source of distress. I am aware of this phenomenon and have experienced it myself. My initial reaction to this distress was to pursue higher and more ambitious goals, driven by the desire to overcome this obstacle. However, this approach led to a cycle of self-imposed pressure and anxiety. As a result, the knot from the college entrance examination has become a barrier to our future progress, hindering our ability to move forward with confidence and purpose.

This is analogous to the 100-meter hurdles. If one were to kick down a hurdle and experience fear, one would inevitably be held back by that hurdle in the subsequent period. This would undoubtedly be a significant source of fatigue. Therefore, it is imperative to eliminate the mentality of compensation. One must acknowledge that the college entrance exam is in the past, that it solely determines which school one attends, and that it does not determine one's future. One still has numerous options and potentialities.

Anxiety, when moderate in intensity, can serve as a motivating factor in preparing for an examination. However, when expectations are high, anxiety may intensify. Moderate anxiety can stimulate a state of nervous anticipation, prompting individuals to exert greater effort and strive for success in the examination.

If expectations for grades are continually elevated and anxiety and stress levels are excessive, learning outcomes may be adversely affected. It is important to consider why high expectations are held in subjects in which confidence is strong. The ability to control the subject matter is a key factor. Therefore, learning to release tension and stress will lead to a positive exam state and the expected results.

It is advisable to abandon excessive expectations, diminish internal psychological depletion, and prepare for the examination in a tranquil manner. Just as the college entrance examination does not determine one's entire life, the CET 4 examination is similarly inconsequential.

It is not uncommon for individuals to anticipate high scores in their areas of expertise. However, there is no necessity to intentionally pursue high scores.

It is important to recognize that the CET-4 is only a basic knowledge and ability test. While a high score is useful for finding a job in the future, it is not the only factor to be considered.

As you have indicated, you have adequately prepared and are wholly confident. However, you are preoccupied with achieving a high score, which has led you to dwell on the potential impact of specific test times on your performance, thereby causing yourself undue distress. Is this an accurate representation of your situation?

The brain perceives uncertainty as a threat and attempts to protect the individual by weakening their focus on other things and striving to create certainty. However, this can have adverse effects on mental health. For instance, spending an entire day ruminating on uncertain events, such as the stabilization of the epidemic and the timing of an exam, can result in a depletion of mental resources and a disruption in preparation for the exam. It is therefore crucial to recognize that the most effective approach to managing uncertainty is to embrace certainty, relinquish futile resistance to uncertainty, learn to accept reality, allow for some uncertainty to exist, take control of the aspects within one's control, and approach the exam with a positive attitude.

The preceding argument is therefore concluded.

Dear questioner, I am grateful to have the opportunity to assist you in navigating the challenges posed by the postponement of the CET-4 exam due to the epidemic. I empathize with your situation and aim to provide guidance and support by addressing your question. Let's examine the underlying issues and explore potential solutions to overcome them.

I believe the reason may be as follows:

♣ After experiencing a setback in the college entrance exam, you have developed a strong interest in achieving high scores.

In your description, you mentioned that you actually have a good command of English and have carefully prepared for two months, doing a lot of practice questions with a high correct rate. Logically, you should be in a stable state and full of self-confidence. However, because of your failure in the college entrance examination, your self-confidence has been greatly affected, and you would benefit from an opportunity to prove to everyone that although you failed the college entrance examination, you are not at all inferior to others.

The CET-4 presents a valuable opportunity for you to demonstrate your abilities through high scores.

♣ You are concerned that your efforts may not be fully recognized if the exam is postponed.

You have invested a great deal of time and effort into preparing for this exam, and you have developed a strong familiarity with the types of questions that will be presented. You are concerned that, in light of the postponement, you may find it challenging to maintain the same level of focus and clarity of mind that you have been able to achieve thus far.

It is worth noting that during the preparation period, you also experienced a certain degree of internal pressure and a sense of tension. This may have an impact on your ability to maintain a relaxed state of mind.

♣ It seems that you may be taking a high score on the CET-4 as the only way to prove your abilities.

From the questions to the supplementary description, it seems that you have been emphasizing passing the CET-4 exam as the only way to prove your strength. However, you have not mentioned a word about your major courses, extracurricular practical activities, interpersonal skills, etc. It can be seen that you regard passing the CET-4 exam with a high score as the only way to prove your abilities.

When you focus on one way of doing something and ignore other possibilities, you may find yourself making the assumption that you can only succeed and cannot fail. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and restlessness when external factors related to the situation arise.

2. How might we find a way to break the deadlock?

It might be helpful to consider adjusting your mindset and changing the way you look at things.

If I might suggest, to break the deadlock, you might consider adjusting your mindset and changing the way you look at the problem.

It might be helpful to consider whether losing the college entrance exam necessarily means that one is incapable.

It's understandable that you're eager to pass the CET-4 to prove your strength. It's natural to feel that if you fail the college entrance exam, people around you might doubt your ability. But is failing the exam really an indication of your capabilities?

It might be helpful to remember that the college entrance exam is just one of many important exams in life. It provides an indication of your academic achievements during high school and how you performed during the exam. It is important to remember that we cannot deny someone's abilities based on a single exam result.

In addition, it is important to consider your own perspective on the college entrance exam. Ultimately, we all have to find our own path in life, and only we can truly represent ourselves.

It might be helpful to accept that some things are already a fait accompli. This could involve letting go of what needs to be let go of, which would free up time and energy to do well in the present and the future.

☞ Could postponing it result in the effort being futile?

It is important to remember that deferring an exam does not necessarily mean that your efforts will be futile. However, it is understandable that the anxiety and fear of deferring can make it more challenging to maintain your efforts. It is also important to acknowledge that we cannot control the uncertainty of an epidemic.

It is always beneficial to take appropriate measures when possible. While it is certainly advantageous to be able to resolve a problem quickly, it is also important to have a plan in place to address unexpected challenges.

It may be helpful to consider that, like life, exams require a plan B. It could be beneficial to prepare psychologically and in terms of actions for any eventuality, as this may help us to face reality calmly.

Is getting a high score on the CET-4 the only way to demonstrate our abilities?

I would say that is not entirely accurate. The CET-4 exam is just a certificate of English proficiency. While a high score can certainly add points to your resume, to have an overwhelming advantage in the employment process, it is important to also consider your comprehensive abilities.

A comprehensive ability encompasses a range of elements, including the attainment of various ability level certificates, the development of professional knowledge and skills, the cultivation of interpersonal abilities, and the nurturing of psychological endurance, such as stress resistance and resilience.

It might be helpful to keep your eyes on the long term and consider changing your focus.

In truth, life is a long journey with many twists and turns. The outcomes of each city and stage cannot be fully determined until the journey's end. By taking each step with care and consideration, you can achieve the best possible outcome. A misstep along the way might lead to a few more detours, but with perseverance and a positive outlook, there is always hope.

It might be helpful to consider what we can do to strengthen our short-term employment goals and long-term life goals, so that we can avoid any unnecessary setbacks along the way. If you feel you need some assistance or guidance in this regard, you can always seek help from teachers, classmates, or professional teachers on the platform.

Having a goal in mind and a plan in hand can help us navigate life's challenges.