Curbing exam jitters
Tick tock, tick tock. With every passing second, exam season draws closer. Do you feel stressed, anxious or unprepared? Well worry no more because you are not alone! Between 40-60% of students battle with significant test anxiety which in extremes interferes with exam performance. We know what it is like to anticipate the dreaded tests, we have been there, and now we are here to guide you through it in just 3 easy steps.
Step 1: Find the study method that works for you.
If you are among the many learners who get the jitters, then the root of your fears is likely underperforming. With a sea of study methods at your disposal it is increasingly difficult to narrow down the perfect match for you. However, it is essential in order to bump up those grades. We absorb information in three different ways: hearing watching and doing. You need to conduct your own research to decide whether you comprehend information best by listening to your teacher in class or podcasts. Alternatively, you might find it easiest to watch brighly animated youtube videos or by solving the problem yourself. After you have found your learning style, consolidate fresh information by using blurting techniques or flashcards. You might even prefer past papers. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to study methods!
Step 2: Time management.
High school is no easy feat, especially when it comes to balancing studying with co-curricular activities and household responsibilities, alas it must be done. This however does not have to be a hinderance once you master how to divide your time appropriately. You can accomplish this by creating your own everyday planner. Draw up a table allocating all the hours in your day to a specific task such as completing your homework or sport. This will allow you to put all your workload into a digestible schedule, eliminating time wastage. At the end of your week, you can submit your results into a pie chart to observe your productivity levels as a motivator for the next cycle.
Step 3: Build a community.
Oftentimes our mindset is our worst enemy. We tell ourselves that " It is just too hard!" or disregard our potential before we give it our best. It is natural to compare ourselves to others, but it becomes unhealthy when we begin to feel inferior. We all have moments when we feel afraid, vulnerable and insecure, yet what we do not realize is these beliefs feed the beast in our minds, generating stress and anxiety. It is challenging to break free from the plague of these thoughts alone, which is why a supportive network of family and friends to fall back on in times of tribulation might just save your exams.
We hope this snippet of advice will make the coming exams a little bit lighter on you.