I keep trying to tell myself everything will be okay if I revise but I'm scared I won't and I keep procrastinating. I'm terrified I'm going to fail my exams and I can't stop thinking about it
Let’s do some deep breathing to help calm you down. One of my favorite deep breathing techniques is...
hold your breath for 7 seconds
exhale breath for 8 seconds
repeat once or twice more.
This causes an autonomic nervous system shift from a sympathetic (fight or flight reaction) state to a parasympathetic response.
Use this for panic/anxiety attacks, exams, presentations.
When you’ve calmed down and practiced deep breathing, something that I would like to share with you is a couple links that I really think can help you...
Why Grades Don’t = Intelligence:
Why the ones with Bad Grades are Often the Ones Who are the Most Successful
Grades Don’t Reflect Ones Intelligence
Do Good Grades Reflect Intelligence?
Students don’t care about knowledge: Students won’t care about learning because our education system doesn’t value it either
Is GPA an Accurate Measure of Intelligence?
Do Letter Grades Determine Someones Intelligence?
College Applicants Sweat the SATs. Maybe They Shouldn’t.
50 Famously Successful People Who Who Failed at First
Smart Kids Can do Poorly in School
Bad Grades: The Shocking List of the Biggest Losers in the World
A Key Reason Why American Kids Do Poorly
As someone who often struggles with testing, I’ve got some tips for you on how you can prepare for your exams and some tips on how to stop procrastinating and get things done!
Review your syllabus- This helps you know and understand due dates and key study notes or even things that could be on the exam.
Pay attention in class- This is major. Often times when big tests or exams that are coming up your teacher will share things that could benefit you during the exam. Also its important to pay attention in class because if you’re not paying attention its a good way to fall behind and falling behind sucks!
Take good notes- Make sure you can read your handwriting. It helps me to write in pen and color code certain topics so help me highlight key points and ideas.
Make studying a daily thing for you- This helps train your brain. In easier terms having a set study time really helps because its creating a schedule for you to follow and hopefully learn from!
Create an exam template or format that you can study from. Pretty much just like a good notes page or even a practice exam. You might need to chat with your teacher about getting a template or a practice sheet. But I personally find it helpful to create your own “pre exam”
When studying for exams please do yourself the extra favor and leave your phone and other electronics away from you because having the phone is a major distraction for almost everyone!
Review passed assignments or worksheets that were handed back to you, chances are some of the material on those papers will be on the exam!
Ask for help when needed! Again, this is major. Asking for help doesn’t make you less smart in fact it shows that you’re wanting to learn something new and get places with your life.
Take breaks when needed. When I study I study for 30 minutes then take a 5 minute break and get some water or fresh air then return back to studying. Breaks are important because everyone needs to just sit back sometimes and think.
ExamTime | 20 Study Hacks to Improve Your Memory
Studying for exams: tips, techniques and strategies
22 Science-Backed Study Tips to Ace a Test - Greatist
Overcoming Procrastination
Procrastinate. Yes, I know what I just said. PROCRASTINATE. This might seem crazy, but I find that if you allot yourself about 10 minutes of time to actually procrastinate, your body can get over that I-don’t-want-to-be-productive stage. I suggest “wasting” time by cleaning up your study area. It is a way of being productive while procrastinating studying or homework. So, clear off you desk, wipe it down, if you’re into disinfecting like I am, disinfect the area and breathe in that wonderful 99.9% germ-free scent. If you still have time left, go ahead and go through any social media that you are dying to check or that usually distracts you while you’re working. Now you have a clean space to work in (which I find helpful and motivating) and no social media buzz tempting your brain.
Get rid of your phone. Phone, tablet, iPod, whatever electronic device that is not needed for your task you should “get rid of.” Mine is usually my phone. I usually silence it and turn it upside down so I can’t see the screen. Either that, or I will put it in another room. Out of sight, out of mind. This way you will not be tempted to go through social media or play games on your phone or other electronic device.
Music. Put on your best studying/ motivational music. For me, its either classical pieces or film scores. Whatever music keeps you focused and gets you in the mood to study,listen to it. Chances are if you listen to the same genre whenever you are studying then upon your listening to this music your brain will recognize that it is time to get to work.
Get your work in front of you. One of the best things I can do for myself when tempted to procrastinate is to just put the work on my desk in front of me. I hate staring at it. I hate it being there. I just want to get it out of the way so I won’t have to look at it anymore. Even though I will be mentally cursing the work in my head, I’m always relieved when I don’t have to look at it or worry about it anymore.
Adjust your planner. I get it. Sometimes you just have a bad day and looking at your planner and all of the things you have left to do just make it worse. I’ve been there. I think we all have. I suggest numbering off your tasks in order of importance. Accomplish the top 3 at the least. Sometimes a heavily loaded planner can make us feel overwhelmed and want to procrastinate all of the work ahead of us. Just start with the first 3. Maybe if you’re left feeling motivated enough, you can move on to task 4, then 5, and so on. If you finish the 3 and are just completely done and exhausted mentally (and perhaps physically), that’s okay. You did the tasks that held the most importance and that is an accomplishment! It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and take a break sometimes. You’re allowed.
Just do it. Nike adds are right. Sometimes the best way to overcome procrastination is to just do your work. I know, I know, you’re tired of seeing this suggestion. I’ll be completely honest, I am too. Who ever just wants to do things? Ugh. However, as much as I hate to admit it, this is usually the best method to get things done. Take for example if you’re revising a paper. Start with fixing one point, then do one more. Eventually you’ll have your entire draft revised in no time. You have to force yourself into your motivation. Once you just do it, all of your work will get done before you know it!
Hope this helps! Keep me updated? x
