How to Escape the Exam Infection

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CAUTION: May contain symptoms such as short attention span, negative thoughts, blank thoughts or not being able to stay organized.

You’ve made it this far into the semester, but its not over yet. Studies show that towards the end of the term, students experience what is called “Examination Anxiety”. This infection is so strong, it affects a student’s performance on their exams. As exam time progresses, don’t be a victim!

Follow these precautionary measures to avoid letting the ‘Exam Infextion’ get the best of you in order to achieve the best possible results on your exams!

What are the symptoms of the ‘infection’?

There are three types of symptoms:

Physical symptoms can include headaches, nausea, quick body temperature changes, excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat and a dry mouth.

Emotional symptoms can range from fear, anger, depression, uncontrollable laughing and/or crying, a helpless feeling and disappointment.

Behavioural symptoms include pacing, avoidance and fidgeting

How does the “infection” start?

            Students who have a history of blanking out on exams and tests are more likely to demonstrate signs of exam anxiety. Lack of preparation for exams, poor time management and study habits as well as a lack of organization can make students feel overwhelmed and fearful of exams. Students who study at the last minute will feel less confident and develop a fear of not knowing whether they will pass or not. Negative thoughts like these are very distracting. So distracting in fact that they prevent the student from studying.  Although some say that a little pressure can be good for motivating students, the student may feel too pressured to perform perfectly on the exam and will feel helpless when the outcome is different. This in turn leads to the many symptoms previously mentioned. 

How to survive the “infection”:

1. Keep Calm: don’t let the thought of exams scare you. Do something that relaxes you. Try baking, yoga, morning strolls, or watching Oprah. Just remember to relax.

2. Create a Study Timetable: If you write down your exam dates on your calendar, add in the days you will study an write down which day is allocated to which exam. But remember to be realistic. It is hard to study for 15 hours for 3 days straight. Give yourself a break in between.
    
3. Approach With Caution: Organize study groups with classmates and help each other out. Studying alone will only heighten your chances of becoming another victim of the infection. If you do study alone, try to find a place where there are no distractions, including other people such as friends who may pull you away from your work. Take breaks and catch up with your friends over coffee.
    
4. Diet: Eat consecutive meals throughout the day (coffee does not count as a meal) and be sure to drink lots of water. Prepare nutritious snacks such as vegetables, granola bars, yogurt and fruits that are easy and quick to grab while on your way to the library.

5. Sleep: Avoid staying up the night before. Go to bed at a reasonable time so that you are able to wake up for your exam. In the past, students have attempted to pull an all nighter the night before exams and have slept right through it. Don’t be that student who doesn’t fulfill their quest because they were tired.

              If you follow these steps, you will survive the infection. Just remember to stay positive. Tell yourself repeatedly, “I can do this” on the way to your exams to keep you motivated. Don’t compare yourself to anyone and just focus on doing the best you can. Remember to allow yourself breaks here and there (as long as there is a decent amount of studying put in beforehand!). Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favour.

    

   References:

   http://psychology.wikia.com/wi…

   http://www.cbv.ns.ca/sstudies/…

    

   Picture Credits:

   http://g.psychcentral.com/news/u/2008/04/academicstressstimulantabuse.jpg

   http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/pictures/10000/nahled/1-12121495914tsn.jpg

   http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4SOoYGRs…

    

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