Exam season can be stressful. You may develop stress and anxiety before or during your exam. However, there is hope. You can deal with exam stress and anxiety in many ways. Below is a list of things you can do to relieve your exam stress and anxiety:
- Remember to breathe
- Get enough rest
- Set realistic goals
- Join a study group
- Believe in yourself
- Talk to someone
Remember To Breathe
You can practise breathing techniques in order to relieve stress and anxiety in your body. Try the following to help you calm down when you feel anxious;
- Inhale air through your nose
- Hold your breath for three (3) seconds
- Breathe out through your mouth slowly
Get Enough Rest
You need to get enough sleep for your body and mind to function correctly. When you are well-rested, it is easy for your body to fight off stress and anxiety. Make sure that you sleep for eight hours. This will give you strength and keep your body and mind strong.
Set Realistic Goals
Do not set goals that you can not reach. This does not mean that you should not work hard. Create a schedule that you will be able to follow. For example, if you are not someone who studies at least three times a week, create a schedule that matches this. You will avoid feeling pressured, which may lead to stress and anxiety.
Join A Study Group
You can study with other students in order to have discussions about different topics. Sharing information with each other will help you learn more. You will gain more knowledge that will help you when you write exams. You will be able to answer questions in exams. Knowing that you are prepared for the exam will help you not feel stressed or anxious.
Believe In Yourself
The best way to relieve stress and anxiety is by believing in yourself. When you are confident, you cannot be anxious or stressed. You can boost your confidence by reminding yourself of how you have passed exams in the past.
Tell yourself positive things such as:
- I have studied hard for this exam
- I will do exceptionally well
- I am smart
- No question will be too hard for me to answer
- There is nothing to be worried about
Talk To Someone
If you are feeling stressed and anxious, you can get help if you speak to someone. This can either be a family member, friend or professional. Speaking about your feelings will help you feel better. They will be able to calm you down and reassure you that three is nothing to worry about.
Should You Stress About Exams?
No, you should not be stressed about exams. You should simply prepare for the exams so that you are ready to write when the exam day arrives. Worrying will not help you accomplish anything. Instead, use your time to find ways to prepare best for the exam.
Why Do I Fear Exams?
Having fear of exams is normal. This is something that a lot of students experience. However, it is possible for you to defeat your fear of exams. Here is what you can do:
- Study daily
- Make sure you understand what you are studying
- Prepare for your exams a month before they start
- Have a positive attitude
- Get enough sleep
How Do I Relax Before An Exam?
- Make sure you have studied everything weeks before the exam starts
- Exercise to keep your mind and body active
- Take a walk and relax your mind
- Watch a movie to relax your mind
The night before the exam, make sure you have enough sleep
What Should Be Avoided During Exams?
- Eating unhealthy food during exam season
- Arriving late at the exam centre
- Not reading your question paper carefully
- Rushing to answer before you think of your answer carefully
- Not answering the question
- Managing your time poorly
Is It Ok To Fail An Exam?
Yes, failing an exam is not the end of the road. This is something that happens to different students. It does not mean that your career has come to an end. If you fail your Matric final examination, there are different options you can pursue. These are:
Rewrite Matric Course
You can apply for the Rewrite Matric Course to get a chance to rewrite your Matric final examination. You will also have a chance to change subjects if you want to. You can choose a minimum of four (4) new subjects.
When you study the Rewrite Matric Course, this is what we provide you with:
- Study material
- Grade 12 past exam papers and memorandums
- Tutors
- Course Experts
Study Without Matric
You can further your education at Matric College without Matric. There are various courses you can enrol for. These are:
ICB Courses
ICB Courses are available if you want to gain knowledge and skills that can be used to get employment or open a business. The skills you obtain through these courses are in demand in South Africa. Your chances of getting employed are high. These are the ICB Courses you can study:
Short Courses
Short Courses are available if you want to study courses that are filled with skills. Through these courses, you will become a candidate that has a wide range of skills. You will be able to use these to open a business or find work. These are the Short Courses you can study:
- Salon Management Course
- Nail Care Courses
- Make-up Courses
- Facial Skincare Courses
- Beauty Therapy Courses
- Tourism Management Courses
- Guest House Management Courses
- Events Management Courses
- Wedding Planning Courses
- First Aid Course Courses
- Crèche Management Courses
- Child Day Care Courses
- Child Psychology Courses
Adult Matric Course
You can study for the Adult Matric Course without Matric. You will gain knowledge through this course, and it will prepare you for university. This course also awards you with a Matric Certificate which you can use to get employment and study at a college or university.
Matric Rewrite Exam
You can apply for the Matric Rewrite exam through the Department of Basic Education offices. This will be your chance to study and prepare for the final examination. To make sure that you pass your Matric, you can use these study tips:
- Use past exam papers to see how the exam questions are set and how answers are provided
- Study with other students and learn more information from them
Get a tutor if you can afford one so that you get in-depth knowledge
Author: Mulisa Nethononda
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date: July 08 , 2022