I love this question because I was always an anxious mess!
It may seem obvious but make sure that you're eating, drinking and getting enough sleep where you can. A well rested mind and looked after body can help you much more than you think.
One thing I tried that really worked for me is that every time I revised (I used mind maps too - having everything organised on one page really helped me), I would wear the same perfume and drink the same drink. I always picked Volvic Strawberry water because it was something that I didn't drink day to day. The hope was that if I associated the smells and tastes of those things with the information I was learning, that when I then smelt and tasted these things during the exam, they may help me recall the information easier on the day. I'm not sure whether it was this that worked or if it was a placebo but it did help me so it could be worth a try.
I agree with you. I usually get the same or better results in exams in comparison with my colleagues who study hard last minute + the night before, by learning a little each day or making sure learning is a priority during the high-energy periods of the day and never sacrificing sleep, nutrition and a little exercise.
I've heard of turning on a table lamp only when studying so that you can get in the flow state quicker, but this association is on another level! It might be the placebo effect, but I'll make sure I try it out for my upcoming exams.
I tend to have less anxiety during exams if I organize the material using mind maps. You can try out different techniques and see what works best for you- you can record yourself while revising and re-listen to it, you can use flash cards etc. (there's tons of techniques out there). Just make sure to revise a day and a week after studying the topics so that you can remember the concepts better. My point is: if you prepare for the exam better then you'll most likely feel more confident in your knowledge and there will be less room for anxiety.
If you tried all these things and it still doesn't help then I'd suggest journaling about it and trying to find the root cause of your anxiety- maybe you have a subconscious belief that you aren't good at taking exams so that's why you get nervous. Once you identify the cause make sure to use affirmations and replace the belief that's holding you back.
And good luck on your exams, you will get through this!
I love this question because I was always an anxious mess!
It may seem obvious but make sure that you're eating, drinking and getting enough sleep where you can. A well rested mind and looked after body can help you much more than you think.
One thing I tried that really worked for me is that every time I revised (I used mind maps too - having everything organised on one page really helped me), I would wear the same perfume and drink the same drink. I always picked Volvic Strawberry water because it was something that I didn't drink day to day. The hope was that if I associated the smells and tastes of those things with the information I was learning, that when I then smelt and tasted these things during the exam, they may help me recall the information easier on the day. I'm not sure whether it was this that worked or if it was a placebo but it did help me so it could be worth a try.
Thanks for all comments. These are very helpful tips!
I tend to have less anxiety during exams if I organize the material using mind maps. You can try out different techniques and see what works best for you- you can record yourself while revising and re-listen to it, you can use flash cards etc. (there's tons of techniques out there). Just make sure to revise a day and a week after studying the topics so that you can remember the concepts better. My point is: if you prepare for the exam better then you'll most likely feel more confident in your knowledge and there will be less room for anxiety.
If you tried all these things and it still doesn't help then I'd suggest journaling about it and trying to find the root cause of your anxiety- maybe you have a subconscious belief that you aren't good at taking exams so that's why you get nervous. Once you identify the cause make sure to use affirmations and replace the belief that's holding you back.
And good luck on your exams, you will get through this!
I often take deep breaths while waiting for the questions to be unveiled.
I think breathing exercise helps me during exams period.
I think practice exams can be super helpful as well as regimenting your studying and testing yourself as you go along
some the the tips that can reduce your exam anxiety includes:
Learn how to study more effectively.
Early morning and comparable locations are ideal for studying.
Create a regular pre-testing regimen.
Speak with your teacher.
Practice relaxing techniques.
Remember to eat and drink.
Get some exercise.
Make sure you get enough rest.