Most of us experience feelings of anxiety and feel nervous
at exam time. It's amazing the effect nervousness can have on performance!
Here are some techniques to minimise the effect of anxiety and help
you to perform to your potential:
- Get enough sleep! Even though you may feel
the need to stay up all night studying, it is better to plan
in advance and ensure a good night's sleep so that you are
alert and ready for tricky questions. You should try to keep
a regular pattern of sleep for at least one week prior to
your exams.
- Eat good foods leading up to an exam
- plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Remember a balanced
diet is the key. Do not go into an exam on
an empty stomach. You may need to keep snacks handy if it
is going to be a long day!
- Read over your notes and main points
to refresh your memory and get your mind thinking in the right
direction about 1 hour before the test. Fifteen minutes prior
to entry, you should stop and relax.
- Practise breathing techniques to calm nerves.
Take slow and deep breaths.
- Prepare equipment! Make sure you know
what items are permitted in each exam. If you require a calculator,
check the battery. Sharpen pencils and check that all equipment
is working.
- Have a water bottle handy! Take regular
sips to ensure that you remain hydrated.
- Take tissues. There is nothing worse
than needing a tissue in an exam and not having one!
- Read over the exam before you begin.
This way you know what needs to be accomplished and you can
determine how long to spend on each section and question.
This technique also enables your brain to begin thinking about
answers even before you attempt the question.
- Never cheat! If you are caught, you
lose everything! You are better to get marks for what you
do know. Don't risk losing your integrity and self-respect.
If you haven't prepared well enough, deal with the consequences
and try harder next time.
- If you find yourself in a panic during the test,
STOP!!!! Put the paper down for a moment. Concentrate
on breathing and calm yourself down. Have a drink and clear
your mind. When you are calm attempt a different question
and take it one step at a time.
- Some questions are tricky but often you can break
the question down into parts. Particularly in problem
solving type questions or lengthy written responses, try one
step at a time. Think about what you need to do as
a first step, what comes next, and so on. This will stop you
from feeling overwhelmed by the question and if you don't
complete the entire question you can usually get part marks
for the sections you do manage.
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Good luck to all with your exams this term. I hope some of
these strategies can help you to conquer nerves, be
prepared and achieve your best!!
Comments
definately!
These are some great tips for exams - they have worked for me in the past!