URGENT: This friday I am going to write 1 out of 3 final exams which will determine if I get my degree / my degree's value and I don't have a problem concerning the subject itself (normally I have 13 (1-) /14 (1) points out of 15 (1+)) , but I am scared of having a panic attack making it impossible to participate. All exams will be up to 6 hours and I don't think I will be able to suffer through all of it.
Breathe. You got this. Iunderstand that you are under a lot of pressure, and that this is veryimportant to you, but remember, that no matter what happens, as long as you tryyour best, then the results will show. Even if something bad happens, you triedyour best, and you should be proud at that. Remember that whatever happensduring each exam that you’ll get past this no matter what the outcome is. My favoritequote is “this too shall pass” because no matter what anything happens, you’llbe able to get past it, and life goes on. You get life lessons in everythingyou do, and this is just another.
Ok, now that the philosophicsare out of the way, I’ll give you some tips that have saved me from the terrorsof examinations and their intimidating rooms.
1. If you’ve studied well, you KNOW you’re ready.It’s just the doubt that’s inside, and when that comes, push it away withsomething that calms you. Drink something warm that you like, whether that becoffee, milk, tea or water. Giving yourself a break from all the stress willrelieve it temporarily and that temporary moment is sometimes just the thingyou need to prevent you from stressing more.
2. Review key concepts and everything that you areSURE you need. Don’t focus on everything if you aren’t sure it’s going to be onit.
3. Take a shower and sleep early. Refresh yourselfwith a start of a new day that’s approaching.
1. A shower in the morning is a preference so youcan choose. But time it right, you don’t want to be late.
2. If you think you are up for the task, on theway to the exam room, try to think of key concepts in your head rather thanstraight panicking. Don’t look at anything, just zone out and try to think ofcritical points. It’ll prevent you from wasting time and also give you one lastboost before you step in
3. Bring some snacks if it’s permitted, and WATER.Don’t get any other type of beverage as it can alter your state of mind beforeor during the exam. Too much energy means your too excitable and not focused,and too little means you get lethargic. Try to balance your food and drink ashealthily and as effectively as you can.
4. During the exam, skip the ones you don’t knowfirst and come back to them later. If you spend more than 5 minutes on aquestion that was only supposed to take 2, come back for it later. Your focusis to do well on the ones you know, and then come back and critically thinkmore later.
5. If you start to feel stressed, or your eyes gettired, flip your exam over, stretch a bit and close your eyes and depending ontime, breathe in and out 5-10 times. In and out counts as one breath by theway.
6. Try writing on your test paper or a scrap sheetthey can give you. You can jot down any formulas, notes or mnemonics youremembered in case you get confused later or forget. Do this as soon as you getyour test or scrap sheet.
7. Read closely! Usually, when you focus, paniccan’t compete. It trumps all feelings of anxiety once you actually focus andget into your zone. Try to be as precise and read everything closely so you don’tmiss anything.
8. Finally, as your exam is coming to a close,double check, heck triple check if you can. This is a tip. Checking doesn’tmeaning doubting your answer, it’s making sure all the things are in theirplaces, seeing if your name is on it, and reading every question closely andseeing if you are confident with your answers.
1. Do treat yourself! Go out with friends andrelax a bit. Never regret this part. Even if your results come back and youfeel like you don’t deserve, you’re completely wrong. First it’s already a hellof its own to sit there for more than 1 hour looking over questions, somerandom person created while probably having more than 3 cups of coffee in onesitting. You definitely deserve it, because you finished the exam, be proud youdid, and be confident that you’ll be able to get through it.
2. Tell yourself that I DID IT. As a young adultmyself, with that amount of stress could make anyone a little off theirmarbles. So no matter what happens, congratulate yourself on your hard work.
3. Take a nap, or go on a walk to let all thataccess adrenaline out.
Just know at the end ofthe day, a grade or a result doesn’t define you as a person. There are alwaysnew oppurtunities and chances, and as harsh as life is, it always gives endlesschances to those who are willing to take them.
Good luck and sorry for being a little late!
