High school tips: How to avoid panic before exams
Exams are very rarely going to be a pleasant experience for anyone. However, some people handle the stress of exams better than others. If you have high school exams coming up and know that you are the sort of person that could be panicking beforehand, then there are a few things that you can do to keep your panic at a minimum, even if you can’t avoid it completely.
Be prepared
First and foremost, don’t leave your revision until the last minute. As soon as you know that you have an exam, start planning for it. Ensure all your papers and information are in order, so that you can find what you need when you need it. Find out from your teacher exactly what the exam will involve and get your hands on some exam papers from earlier years. Start reading through your notes as early as possible so that if there is anything you are unclear about, you can ask your teacher in advance. Then in the month or so before the exam, make a written plan of how best to revise everything you need for it.
Do some practice runs
Past exam papers are an excellent way to find out what is going to be expected from you. It will also help you to understand the way the questions are likely to be worded. Set yourself a trial exam. If it is two hours long, then set your alarm clock, and work your way through the papers. If you run out of time, then you know you need to speed up and perhaps spend less time on the first questions, which probably are probably less important marks-wise. When finished, ask your teacher to mark it for you. Once you know what to expect and have an idea of timing, then you will feel a lot more relaxed when going in to the real thing.
Look after your health
If you are prepared and are not having to cram in all the information in the few days before the exam, then you should have time to ensure that you get plenty of sleep and eat well. If you are struggling to sleep because of worry, then try to relax as much as possible before going to bed. Have a relaxing bath, maybe with some lavender oil in it, and make sure that your bed is warm and comfortable. Ensure that your diet is healthy – your parents will probably want to make sure you are eating well, so let them feed you, provided that there is not too much stodge. If you’re revising and not exercising much, you could put on weight if you are not careful, which will just add to the pressure you are feeling and could make you feel drowsy. If all goes well, you should be on top form in time for your exams.
Talk to your parents/friends/teachers
You may feel like no-one understands what it is like to have an exam. However, remember that everyone goes through exams at some point and, although it may not be fresh in their mind, they will remember the horrors of taking exams. Explain to your parents that you are worried about the exams, particularly if you feel they are putting pressure on you. Once they realise the stress you are under, then will almost certainly do their best to make you feel better. The same goes for teachers. And sharing your feelings with your friends will help keep the panic to a minimum. They are probably feeling the same, so perhaps you can arrange to revise together and then meet up before the exam so that you are not worrying alone.
Remember that a failed exam won’t change your life
Exams can be important. They act as a stepping stone to a new part of your life and if you do well, you may be able to go on to University, or find it easy to get a job when you leave school. However, failing one exam is not going to make a great deal of difference to your life overall. You can always retake it later. Tell yourself that before an exam and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. At the same time, don’t prepare for the exam with the belief that it doesn’t matter how you do or if you even pass – always try your best, because it’s good preparation for later life, if nothing else.
Turn up early
On the day of the exam, turn up early, having eaten a good breakfast (or lunch if the exam is in the afternoon). The last thing you want is to be late for the exam, especially if you have to travel by public transport and can’t control the amount of time it takes to get to the exam destination. Arrange to travel with a friend so that you are able to keep each other occupied. Try to avoid talking about the possible content of the exam though; if you suddenly realise that your friend knows something you don’t, then it is not going to help your stress levels. Once you have arrived, take some deep breaths, go to the toilet if you need to and mentally prepare for what is actually a very tiny part of your life.
Exams never really become easy, but people do develop better ways of coping as they grow older and hopefully wiser. If, however, you panic to the point of having a panic attack and being unable to take the exam, you should always seek your doctor’s advice.
