Coping With Exam Phobia

The stress levels of students are usually at an all-time high during exams, affecting nearly 40 percent of students. The phobia around exams varies depending on the individual’s approach. Some students deal with just butterflies in the stomach or their hearts may skip a beat, whereas some get very anxious and spend sleepless nights.

• Cognitive Symptoms: Preoccupation with exams can lead to cognitive and emotional symptoms such as fear of failure, lack of concentration, sense of panic, and their mind going blank. If not dealt with correctly and in time, the symptoms may lead to sadness, anger, depression, severe anxiety and panic attacks.
• Paranoia: Some students are unable to vocalize their fears and start showing signs of irritability by withdrawing into a shell of seclusion. Due to the emotional distress, students may end up falling prey to alcoholism and drug abuse.
• Solution: First and foremost, it is important to stop avoiding the issue, explore new ways to understand the problem and learn to handle the anxiety more effectively. Effective study skills can overcome the stress of exams by making one feel more in control of your work and more confident of success. Sometimes, if the stress is too much, it can help to accept external assistance to face a difficulty. Online Class Help can help you earn good grades by taking your exams for you!

Managing exam stress should be an active process in taking steps to limit its impact. Healthy diet, good sleep, exercise, and fun should be part of the daily routine to keep anxiety away at all times.