How to deal with the stress of taking a test?
Once the exams begin, there is always that bit of fear that many times causes us stress which we never want to have, since that stress can cause us from getting a bad grade, to making us feel that we cannot present an exam for fear of going wrong.
Many of our students have told us that test-taking is terrifying and has become their nightmare. To get rid of that big headache, here are some little tips that may help you if you implement them:
PREPARE THE NIGHT BEFORE.
All right, this is the key. Try to keep the morning or the day before your exam free of all kinds of stress. So the night before, you are going to organize your pencils, calculator, snacks and water, but you are not going to put them in your backpack.
On the morning of the exam, place each item in your bag carefully so that you can be absolutely sure that you have everything you need. It's a small thing, but it eliminates any possibility of the next nightmare: "I forgot my…!".
TAKE YOUR TIME.
When you come to a problem that you cannot solve, DON’T PANIC. Easier said than done, we know, but find some breathing exercises and find one that works for you.
It will relieve that stress, and you will focus on yourself. Go ahead and return to the problem later, in this way you will see that you will be able to overcome that stone in your path that does not let you cross.
FOCUS ON THE DESTINATION, NOT THE JOURNEY
Imagine that feeling of being away from the test center and the freedom of not having to take a test for at least a couple of weeks. When you find yourself in the middle of a standardized test, you can get caught up in all the minute details and your own concerns. Just remember that the feeling of walking away euphoric requires you to go through this hour of torture. You can go through it. You have prepared your materials. You know your stuff. You will feel VERY GOOD when this is over.
These tips can help you to clear your mind a little more and thus be able to clarify your path to the triumph of your career and above all, overcome the fearful stress that exams give you.