How to cope with exam stress
by Amal Hewavissenti
In Sri Lanka, exams have come to
be one of the crucial factors governing one’s personal life simply
because they often determine one’s status in one’s upward social
mobility. Frequently, failure at exams might simply mean failure in life
in the current social set up because your educational level is used to
be gauged up in terms of examination success.
 So it is beyond all argument that a good exam result paves the way
for achievement of lifetime success. However, the purpose of sitting for
exams involves the chances of pursuing higher education, getting a
scholarship or promotion in career or any other opportunity that may
strike the keynote of your success.
Minimise tension
Exam strain is perhaps the commonest symptom among the most of “would
be examinees”. The best possible approach towards preparation under
stress-free atmosphere is to work, on a daily basis to a schedule which
covers the basic components that the particular exam calls for.
This really equips you better with much needed self-confidence for
the challenging tasks. Adjusting your study setting which may affect you
positively or negatively is yet another effective way to totally cancel
out possible mental strain.
Moreover, you will better be mentally responsive to a sound domestic
atmosphere around you in which you have arranged the study room, table,
the book shelf and other things in a very attractively set pattern.
Triggering physical stimulation by involving yourself in an interesting
activity which lets you have ample exercise is a powerful panacea
specially for exam tension.
It will virtually upgrade your potential fitness, enthusiasm, energy
and overall responsiveness to exam-oriented studies. You can keep
yourself occupied in activities such as swimming, a ten-minute run or a
thirty-minute brisk walk so much as to sweat which is a clear sign of
your body well exercised.
This will, in turn stimulate your brain and body to prepare you for
the exam paper and will definitely draw a half to any possibility of
exam phobia that might reverse your readiness.
Nothing will reverse your potential as much as your own pessimistic
attitude towards your past record of exam failures. Such failures must
be blanked out-right and a fresh image of yourself must be projected
instead. Past failures do not, in any way mean that you will ever fail
in the future. You must not compare your image to the (seemingly)
dashing personality of your friend who may brag of his prowess to face
an exam.
You can get the better of challenges your way.
At exam’s eve
You must take particular care not to strain your mind and body
excessively the day prior to the exam because your brain may get
over-loaded and have an impaired creativity needed at the exam. Keeping
your mind light is the best way. Remove all weights on your mind by
having the requisites ready with you - requisites such as the identity
card, admission card, stationery, and the wristwatch, in addition, you
can lie sprawled on the bed and form a mental picture of how you will
peruse the question paper, select the best questions, answer the
question paper and return with the satisfaction that you’ve faced the
exam with no problem at all.
 All this will make the pressure in you less widespread and wake you
up fresh on the day of the exam with fresh attitudes, feelings and
positive patterns of thinking. For this, a good nights’ sleep is highly
important.
Many people spring up at the exam hall just when it starts and ruin
all hopes of getting through it but such disasters can be kept in check
by going to the exam hall at least an hour in advance. But remember to
avoid talking to diffident examinees a single remark from any of them
may make you less courageous and less confident about your inner power
to deal with the situation.
Never express your doubt as to the possible exam success to any
friend of yours. Bless them if you have time because your mentality has
more strength than theirs. Never think about the possible repercussions
and reactions on the part of your family in case you happen to fail the
exam. Your motto should be “whatever be the result, I’ve done everything
to get through my exam with the best possible dedication. I’ll happily
accept the results in whatever grade they come.”
However there should be a certain level of exam stress in you for the
reason that the subconscious mind gives you directions to study
responsibly for the exam. The stress will guide you to the best results.
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