Is Exam Anxiety Holding You Back? Here’s How To Overcome It!

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Exam season is a challenging time for both students and parents. While students strive to prepare effectively, parents often feel the pressure of ensuring their child's success. To help students navigate this crucial period with confidence, well-known counselor Subhash HJ from Vasavi Hospitals shares valuable exam preparation strategies. His expert insights focus on enhancing concentration, improving memory retention, and managing exam stress to help students perform their best.

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What Are The Biggest Challenges Students Face During Exams?

Mr. Subhash says, "We can identify students based on their distinct difficulties during exams. Firstly, students who have a lack of focus or motivation. Some students struggle to initiate studying due to A Lack of Interest or the Inability to Sustain Attention. Another set of students are those who have difficulty in Retaining Information. Even though these students put in the effort, they often find it hard to recall what they have learnt. Finally, there are students who suffer from Exam Anxiety and Performance Issues. These students study well but fail to reproduce their knowledge effectively during exams due to stress.

What Are the Most Effective Study Techniques To Overcome These Challenges?

Mr. Subhash recommends practical study methods such as-

Starting Small: "Instead of setting unrealistic goals like studying for five hours straight, students should begin with shorter study sessions. The Pomodoro Technique, which involves 25-minute study intervals followed by short breaks, is an effective way to maintain focus.

Conducive Study Environment: A dedicated, distraction-free study space away from TV, mobile devices, and noise can significantly improve concentration. It's also important that other members of the family also support them in creating such an environment for students.

Maintaining Physical Well-Being: Getting sufficient rest, eating healthy meals, and engaging in physical activities like yoga, sports and meditation can enhance your motivation to study."

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How Can You Boost Memory Retention For Exams?

Understanding that remembering what you learn is as important as learning in the first place, Mr. Subhash highlights that memory and understanding go hand in hand. He recommends the Read, Recall, Review (RRR) method, which involves reading the material, recalling it without looking, and then reviewing it for accuracy, and further repeating the cycle. Other techniques include explaining concepts to others to reinforce understanding. "Students can use flashcards and mind maps for better visualisation and retention. Associating information with meaning, as rote learning without comprehension often leads to forgetting", he says.

How Can You Stay Calm And Confident On Exam Day?

Mr Subhash says, "In the final stages of preparation, students should avoid Last-Minute Cramming. The final hours before an exam should be used for revision, not learning new topics. Secondly, Plan Before Writing. I would recommend before answering, students should scan the question paper, recall key points, and structure their responses in mind for clarity. Preparing exam essentials like hall tickets and stationery in advance can reduce last-minute anxiety. It is also suggested that Visiting the Exam Venue beforehand can ease anxiety about new surroundings."

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Mr Subhash points out, "I also see that children discuss question papers as soon as the exam is over. Most of the time, children lose confidence if they would have messed up or written a wrong answer. Hence, it is very important that children or especially their parents do not have to discuss everything after an exam is done. Instead, prepare for the next exams."

He remarks, "It's common for any student to feel worried or feel anxious on the day of an exam. Please understand, your marks are not the only criteria for your life. So you can stay calm, you can stay relaxed, you don't have to panic if you get low marks. You can always take help from your teachers, family members, counsellors and see how you can improve without worrying or stressing out about yourself. So everybody has equal opportunity to do well in the exams. There is nothing like somebody is a bright or a dull student. You know, we should get over such ideas in our children's minds. Everybody has good potential and everybody can achieve equally in different areas of their interest."

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As exams approach, it's natural for students to experience stress and anxiety. However, as Mr. Subhash emphasizes, exam results do not define a student's potential or future success. Instead of dwelling on past mistakes, students should focus on their next steps with a positive mindset. With the right study techniques, a supportive environment, and a balanced approach to well-being, every student has the potential to succeed in their unique way. Parents and educators play a crucial role in reinforcing this belief, ensuring that students feel encouraged and empowered to do their best without fear or pressure.