Students across the country are currently in the peak phase of exam preparation - one look at full university libraries is enough to notice this. I once again noticed how many of my fellow students suffer from exam anxiety, a feeling that is completely unknown to me. I never had exam anxiety, neither at school, at the Abitur or at university.
But to be completely honest: For me there is a big difference between written and oral exams in this regard. While I complete the former completely cool, without sweaty palms and a racing heart, the latter make me incredibly nervous. Thoughts like “Will I embarrass myself if I say something wrong?” are constantly racing through my head and completely distract me from the actual tasks.
In the course of this, I have decided to practice the tips for combating exam anxiety that we have given you elsewhere and to share my personal experiences with you.
Tips against exam anxiety – what really helps?
In the article already mentioned, we have summarized six pieces of advice to help you combat exam anxiety. Here's my opinion on it:
1. Chase away negative thoughts
Replacing bad thoughts with good ones sounds easier than done, at least that's the case for me. I tried anyway and created my personal mantra, something like: “I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.” I just repeated these words endlessly in my head as I sat in front of the exam room. This didn't necessarily make me feel empowered, but it took up my concentration so much that I didn't have time to drive myself crazy. So in a way it helped me well.
2. Close books
I also always had the urge to quickly look at the script again. But experience has taught me - it really doesn't help. This just makes it seem like you know a lot less than you thought, when in fact it's usually the other way around. A tip that you should really follow before every exam - whether oral or written.
3. Food for body and mind
During exam time you tend to eat fast food, but that's exactly when it's the wrong diet. Providing the body with vitamins makes perfect sense and the advice to drink a lot is also true. For example, I get a headache if I don't drink enough water and then I want to skip the exam immediately.
4. Answer easy questions first
First check all the questions and then start with the simplest ones - this method is intended to take away the fear of having absolutely no idea. Personally, I prefer to work through everything chronologically and leave out what I don't know - I then devote myself to that at the end. Above all, I feel under time pressure when I only devote myself to the big tasks at the end, because I tend to always write way too much. Of course you have no choice in the oral exam, you have to take what you get - there is no “Next!”
5. Don't despair in the event of a blackout
Everyone knows the feeling of knowing something for sure and then not remembering it during the exam. I sometimes felt like this during oral exams, my brain stopped, the professors stared at me waiting, the panic grew. In situations like this, it really helps to take a deep breath, take a sip, say that you need a quick moment. The professors will forgive you and then you will remember the facts you need.
6. Accept exam fears
Claiming to others or yourself that you have no fear of exams is nonsense - it's immediately noticeable anyway. It's better to address things specifically and sometimes it's reassuring to hear from others: "I feel the same way, I'm really excited too!" Then you immediately have an ally at hand who sympathizes and, as we all know, a shared suffering is a suffering halved.
My conclusion
After being able to apply all of the tips listed in practice, I have to say that they all help to a greater or lesser extent - none of them seem absolutely superfluous to me. So I can only recommend not just skimming over theoretical tips and labeling them as blah, but actually trying out what is recommended - it will definitely help you.
If you are interested in more tips and facts about exam anxiety, you should definitely readthis article !
If you're not afraid of exams, but simply don't know how best to organize your studying, you'll find effective learning methods here.
There are many tips to combat exam anxiety - but which ones really help?
