COPING WITH EXAMS AND
EXAM ANXIETY
While
there is no guarantee for an easy time on exams, there are some specific
guidelines that students can follow which will help them learn more efficiently
during exam time.
Remember
that you are not alone: almost everyone gets somewhat anxious at exam time.
It
is clear that it does not help to
put added stress on yourself by:
1) keeping
irregular hours.
2) pulling
all-nighters.
3) eating
irregularly or eating junk food.
4) relying on ineffective
learning strategies.
Guidelines:
1)
Try to stay on a reasonably regular schedule of reviewing, eating, sleeping,
and relaxing. Start
at least a week,
or preferably two, before exams begin.
2)
Don't attempt to study 24 hours a day; your efficiency and capacity to retain
material will
rapidly decrease.
3)
Don't force yourself to study beyond your normal limits of concentration. If you find yourself
able to
concentrate for only ten or twenty minutes, study for only that period of time
and then
take a short
break. Your concentration should
return. In fact, short and
regular study periods
are more
productive than lengthy single sessions.
4)
Eat a well-balanced diet and drink lots of fluids. Excessive amounts of coffee may produce
confusion and
even disorganization of thought processes.
5)
Don't use drugs or alcohol -- they can decrease your ability to think
clearly. Take medication
only under the
supervision of a physician.
6)
Be conservative and reasonable about the demands you place on yourself.
7)
If you have a problem you believe will interfere with taking your exams, be
sure to notify your
class professor
before you take your exam.
--adapted from:
--this handout prepared by Alison Burrell '95
©Academic
Skills Center, Dartmouth College 2001