What should I do if my teenager is afraid of exams? How can I help them overcome their fear of exams?

Anxiety before an exam can have a significant impact on an individual's emotional state. This feeling is likely to be highly uncomfortable. It is reasonable to assume that the individual will experience feelings of anxiety and nervousness. However, it is also important to consider that the individual may be attaching a great deal of importance to the results of the exam and may have a strong desire to perform well and achieve the desired results. This can be seen as a manifestation of the importance the individual places on their studies and the demands they place on themselves. It is unclear whether the individual who posed the question is seeking to quickly adjust their own state or is seeking to assist their child in adjusting their state.

It is recommended that you embrace a sense of self-compassion. Upon encountering this question, I experienced a profound sense of empathy. Reflecting on my experiences as a student and later in my professional career, I have consistently encountered a pervasive sense of apprehension when confronted with the prospect of examinations. This apprehension has manifested to varying degrees of intensity. Like the individual who posed the question, I have often found myself seeking reasons to postpone or avoid examinations. This phenomenon has occurred on numerous occasions.

It seems reasonable to posit that a significant proportion of the population has undergone a similar experience.

There are numerous potential causes for exam-related anxiety.

Inadequate preparation

The negative experience of failing an exam.

The outcomes of significant examinations exert a considerable influence.

Examination results are subject to high standards and expectations.

...

A variety of factors may contribute to this phenomenon, including deficiencies in learning methods, emotional management techniques, expectations, and goal-setting strategies. The influence of parent-child relationships is also a potential factor.

If one day you are not anxious at all when facing an exam and no longer feel afraid, how will your behavior and mindset differ from what they are currently?

It is unclear who will notice the difference in the subject and what they will see that is different.

It is possible that this is due to the aforementioned incident.

Another point to consider is the extent to which one should be free from anxiety or fear. It is inevitable that examinations will be stressful, and they can have a significant impact on performance, educational prospects, and even major life decisions. As individuals with normal emotional and psychological functioning, it is not realistic to expect complete emotional neutrality in the face of such challenges.

To what extent is this state of being acceptable to oneself? Is there any time when this state was experienced during an examination, and what might have been done at that time?

It would be beneficial to consider whether there are any lessons that can be learned from this experience. For instance, it may be helpful to reflect on effective learning strategies, emotional regulation techniques, or potential sources of support.

Furthermore, it is recommended that an individual seek the guidance of a professional who can provide a comprehensive and individualized assessment. This approach is believed to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying issues.

It is my hope that the aforementioned information will prove to be of some assistance to you.

Hello, question asker. I can see that you're feeling confused, and I'm here to support you.

I believe what you are experiencing may be some behavioral issues. Please allow me to give you another warm hug.

Perhaps it would be helpful to consider why we might be afraid of exams.

It may be the case that they are afraid that the results they get will not be what their parents expect, which could lead to disappointment.

As a parent, you have the opportunity to help reduce your child's anxiety about exams.

For instance, it might be advisable to avoid asking your child how much they got after the exam.

If you are a teenager who is afraid of exams, you might find it helpful to remind yourself that you are studying and taking exams for yourself and for a better future. It's important to remember that your teachers and parents are not the only ones who care about your performance.

It might also be helpful to consider what would happen if you were to fail an exam. In such a case, you would simply have to retake it.

Even if you do not succeed, there are still other options available to you.

As an alternative, you might consider a vocational school, even if you are unable to attend a regular high school.

I wonder if you might have heard of the famous psychology concept of the "pink elephant."

It might be helpful to remember that when we try to stop ourselves thinking about something, it's often because we're actually thinking about it more.

If I might make a suggestion, the next time you find yourself with exam anxiety, perhaps it would be helpful to accept that you have it, rather than rushing to fight it.

If I might humbly offer my experience, I recall that when I was at school, I often felt anxious when I viewed an exam as just another exam.

I then came to the realisation that there is not much difference between taking an exam and doing exercises in class. As a result, I approached the exam with this mentality, and I was pleased to find that I usually did better than expected.

I truly hope that the issue you're facing can be resolved soon.

I hope I have provided you with some helpful insights. I am afraid I have nothing more to offer at this time.

I hope my above answer is helpful and inspiring to you. I am the respondent, and I try my best to study hard every day.

I would like to extend my warmest regards to you all at Yixinli. I wish you all the best!

Hello, classmate.

I can see the problem you described. You feel a little anxious before the exam. I know my response can help!

Many students feel nervous before an exam. This is normal. A moderate amount of nervousness can make us pay more attention to the exam paper, and the physical excitement can also help us to be more proactive.

The feelings described by the classmate affected his normal exam and needed to be adjusted. Emotions are neither right nor wrong, but they are the best reminder of our state.

Anxiety is our dissatisfaction with the current situation and our desire to become better.

Ask yourself three questions. Breathe in slowly, filling your belly, and breathe out slowly, letting go of your worries and discomfort. Relax. That's good. Now, describe what your body feels like when you're anxious.

The more detailed, the better. What else is going through your mind at the moment?

Who are you trying to meet expectations? Feel the sensations in your body again!

You will have new insights!

You can do this. Don't worry about the results. Just do your best. We all grow up slowly. Lower your expectations of yourself. It's okay to do badly in an exam. It's okay to be wrong. Mistakes are the best opportunities for growth!

Treat your homework like an exam. It's that simple. After deliberate practice, everything becomes a normal mindset!

You've got this. One day, you'll become the "exam god." Anything is possible. I'll be watching.

What do you want to know?

Hello! I saw your request for help, and I'm here to help.

You should praise yourself for being aware of your fear and anxiety before each exam. This is the first step to making a positive change.

Let's be honest. Our fear and anxiety about something that hasn't happened often depends on how much importance we attach to it. We care too much about the outcome of this matter and, to some extent, we define and evaluate ourselves as a person based on the outcome of this matter. What do you think?

Anxiety about something that hasn't happened yet can help us prepare better. We must overcome all unfavorable obstacles and distractions. We should control the factors we can. We must accept those things we can't control or decide.

Your anxiety is clearly affecting your ability to concentrate on the exam. Not only is it preventing you from preparing adequately, it is also making it difficult for you to perform normally in the exam room, which will undoubtedly affect your results.

Once you recognize this anxious and restless mood, you can address it head-on. Identify the underlying needs driving it, such as the desire to be affirmed, accepted, encouraged, and supported. Then, find ways to respond to and fulfill these needs. For instance, you can directly communicate your inner needs to your family and friends or learn to treat yourself with the care and respect you deserve.

You must understand that each exam does not completely and truly reflect your learning status because the results are affected by many factors. Don't care too much about the results, have reasonable expectations, do what you can, and accept what you cannot do.

I am Lily, the little ear of the Q&A Museum. The world and I love you.

Hello, I'm June.

As the final exams approach, children's emotions reach another "flammable and explosive" point. I'm going to give you a hug, and it'll give you some strength.

Anxiety is a kind of fear.

When we humans face danger and excitement, we feel fear. Fear makes us come up with measures to deal with it. We may run away, fight back, or freeze (play dead).

Anxiety occurs when there is a conflict between the measures you want to take and the requirements of reality.

You want to avoid the exam, but you have to take it. That's why you're anxious.

2. Pre-exam anxiety is caused by the fear of being scolded.

Fleeing from danger means that you believe you cannot handle it. Running away is your way of saving yourself. When you want to avoid an exam, you believe you won't do well. You're running away from criticism and blame.

This analysis leads to the undeniable conclusion that the essence of pre-exam anxiety is not fear of the exam, but fear of being scolded.

1. If you are a parent, you must ask yourself whether you have neglected your child's feelings because you are too concerned about their grades. Have you also been driven by a self-serving need to have a high-achieving child?

Parents must let their children truly experience their love for them by letting go of their own vanity.

2. If you are a child, you must understand that your parents want you to become excellent because they believe that an excellent you will suffer less in the future.

As a mother, I will urge my children to work hard for the result and be content with the outcome. Everyone wants to be good.

You must work hard to avoid regretting your actions. Accepting the consequences means accepting that there are often objective factors that lead to unsatisfactory results, such as skill, carelessness, or luck. Every time you get a result, praise yourself for doing well. Then, analyze where you went wrong, learn from your experience, and work hard to improve next time.

Every setback you face in life is like an exam. What matters is not the result, but your attitude.

"Only by accepting mediocrity can you afford to be excellent." This is a quote I saw on a TV show, and I wholeheartedly agree with it. I'm going to give it to you.

I am confident that the above will be useful to you. Best wishes!

Hello. It's clear that exam anxiety is causing you significant psychological distress. You want to stop being afraid of exams and reduce the burden on yourself so you can move forward with a lighter load.

It's a simple fact that pre-exam anxiety is a very common phenomenon. It doesn't matter if you're a teenager or a middle-aged person like me—we all feel more or less nervous and anxious when facing important exams, assessments, or competitions like athletes. The key to relieving such emotions is to first identify the reasons for their occurrence and then consider what adjustments can be made.

There are typically five main factors of test anxiety:

1) We know that the results of the exam will impact our lives and development, and we expect the best possible result.

2) Exams are uncertain and chance plays a role. Even if you are well prepared, you may encounter a situation where your results are not ideal. We are naturally averse to "failure" and "loss."

3) The pressure of the external environment, such as the demands of teachers and family members and comparisons with classmates, can bring different levels of burden to candidates, who feel that they have to give an account to others.

4) The tense atmosphere created by the test settings, such as the setting of the examination room, the complexity of the examination process, and the strict time limits, will make us nervous.

5) I am not in the best state of mind when reviewing for the exam, and I am not as prepared as I should be.

6) Attempting to eliminate anxiety through avoidance or confrontation only intensifies it.

Don't label anxiety as a "bad" emotion. It makes us feel uncomfortable, but it's a signal that reminds us to pay attention to the needs or other emotions behind the anxiety. Avoidance or suppression will focus more attention on the anxiety event. Treat yourself as an observer. Observe your feelings, allow them, describe them, but don't judge them.

If you feel overwhelmed, take control. Imagine a pause button that you can press when your thoughts become chaotic. Then, go for a walk or run to sweat it out. Or, just get up and pour a glass of water and drink it mindfully. Pay attention to every detail of the drinking process.

Take a few deep breaths, then get back to the task at hand.

Furthermore, exams are a way to test the content and effectiveness of our learning at a certain stage. However, they are not a standard for judging our value and abilities as a whole person. There are many paths and choices in the development of life, and everyone grows, learns, and chooses a direction along the way.

The current exam is not the only thing that matters. Our health, ability to interact with others, and care and acceptance of ourselves will have a greater impact on our future than doing well on the exam.

Don't let external pressures, such as the anxiety of teachers or family members, affect you. Create a mental barrier and transfer their emotions into an emotional container. Then, focus your attention on what you want to do.

Exams are similar to competitions, public speaking, and performances in that the formal and serious setting can cause feelings of tension. However, this is something that can be overcome with practice. With more experience and practice, you will adapt and become immune to these feelings.

You can and should think of an exam as a kind of practice. Use this to your advantage by imagining your usual practice as a kind of mock exam. This will help you reduce the "specialness" of the exam.

For an exam, set a goal, not a specific score. Do your best and bring your existing reserves into play. Affirm your preparation and effort, and focus on this part of the performance.

You can't predict or control chance or uncertain factors. They don't define your abilities. Focus on what you can control in the present. Find your own satisfaction in your input and gains.

You've got this!