Effective Strategies For Dealing With Examination Anxiety

Examination anxiety occurs in many guises and at different times; See the best strategies and practical tips on how to beat this enemy

By Larissa Lopes
Updated on August 25, 2022
Effective Strategies For Dealing With Examination Anxiety

No matter how many you have already passed, examination anxiety can play tricks on you sooner or later. that is why in this article, we will try to give you some strategies and practical tips on how to beat this enemy.

Symptoms Of Examination Anxiety

To defeat your “enemy,” firstly, you must know him. In fact, examination anxiety occurs in many guises and at different times. Here are the main symptoms that should make your antennae stand up:

Prior to the examination. Many students, to decrease the anxiety associated with preparing for an examination, adopt behaviors of which they are not always fully aware. An examination of this is the compulsive use of the internet, social networks, and text messages. In general, in these moments, the serial procrastinator in us comes out (do you remember when I told you about procrastination as a defensive mechanism against anxiety?). Other symptoms, such as insomnia or some digestive issues, may also occur prior to the examination.

Some students also get anxious because they are also thinking about other deadlines, like deadlines for their essays, etc. But at least here you can get help easily from services like writemyessays.

During the examination. These manifestations that occur immediately prior to and during the test are those that the vast majority of people associate with examination anxiety.

Paradoxically, they are also the most “natural”: sweating, palpitations, dry mouth, nausea, etc. This is as far as physical symptoms are concerned. Then there is another, one of the scariest for learners: the so-called black-out. No matter how hard you have scrutinized in front of the Prof. or the examination text, you simply go into the balloon and cannot recall anything.

Sounds familiar? Don’t worry; in the remedies paragraph, we will also talk about the best techniques to use immediately prior to or during the examination to manage anxiety and avoid the notorious blackout.

Examination Anxiety: Study

The number one strategy for overcoming examination anxiety is organized and effective study. When you have full confidence in your study method and your level of preparation, university examinations become mere formalities. And if you feel like you still have some weak spots, like maybe writing essays, there are a lot of websites to write essays online whose assistance you could use to solve your issue.

Take Care Of Your Body, And It Will Take Care Of Your Examination

If you come on the day of your examination that you are a rag, how do you think it will go? Here, in fact: if you want to have excellent performance. You have to take care of your body, just like a professional athlete would do. To do this, you should remember the following:

Sport. This isn’t the first time we’ve suggested it, but regular physical activity can really have countless benefits on your student life (and beyond). Preferably opt for outdoor sports: immersing yourself in nature is one of the 4 scientifically proven techniques to increase memory.

Sleep. If we sleep well, we live better. This does not necessarily mean sleeping 22 hours a day. On the contrary: quantity is not always synonymous with quality. In the weeks leading up to the examination try to have regular sleep cycles (so, in other words: go to sleep at the same time and wake up at the same time).

Apply A Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique

Progressive muscle relaxation is a technique conceived in the early 1920s by the American doctor Edmund Jacobson and essentially consists of the repetition of muscle tension-relaxation cycles aimed at inducing progressive relaxation of all muscle groups.

In this strategy for overcoming examination anxiety basically, you have to contract a specific muscle group for a few seconds and then relax it. Starting with the muscles of the arms and ending with those of the feet. This technique must be practiced with a specialized trainer and applied independently.

By the way, for you to be calm and test this relaxation technique out, a service that could handle your essays while you are preparing for an examination or trying new study techniques.

Try using this algorithm:

  • Sit on a chair and place the soles of your feet on the floor.
  • And grasp the base of the chair with your hands.
  • Press your feet to the floor and at the same time, pull the base of the chair with your hands. Create this muscle tension for no more than 5 seconds.
  • Stretch your muscles for 5-10 seconds.
  • Repeat the entire cycle of tension and relaxation 3 times.

Alternatively, you can use a breath-based relaxation technique, such as 4-step breathing. But remember that to get the most benefit from it, you need to start practicing relaxation techniques several weeks prior to the stressful event.

Also, we would like to give you another useful article for your reading – 8 Tips for Writing a Killer College Essay. If this topic is relevant to you, check it out.

Accept The Stress: It Is Your Friend

Claiming to eliminate examination anxiety altogether is wrong and counterproductive. You must realize that nervousness about an important test is completely natural. Indeed, to the right extent, it helps you to get the most out of your mind. Instead, learn to direct your nervous energy: stop shaking like a chick and bring out some healthy aggression.

If you’ve used an effective college study method and prepared for your examination, you have nothing to fear.