Exams: Are they to be feared or not?

What does it feel like to be under stress and pressure of memorizing or rather cramming loads and loads of information just to write not even 50% on a sheet of paper?

While some students take examinations lightly and breeze through them with “good” marks, others do not feel the same. Some students try extremely hard, and when I say extremely, I mean it. They make notes and revise them a million times, but it becomes difficult for them to contain so much information in their brain. Others just decide to cram every word of the book while understanding only 55-60% of it. 

My parents have always taught me that concept clarity is way more important than the number of marks you score. Because if a concept is not clear to you and you decide to cram it anyway, it is going to affect your understanding in higher classes too. Especially if you are moving into high school from middle school, concept clarity is essential since many concepts in science and math are based on the previous grade’s understanding.

I am moving to grade 9 (though I still feel like a 7th grader😀). It is an important shift, since grade 9 syllabus is two times the amount of the previous grade. As you travel higher towards your target, the difficulty of obstacles increases. But education is a tool which will help you reach your destination faster. Time management is another important aspect of learning to cope with exam stress. If you manage your time better, you have more time to revise, leading to a stress-free and peaceful state of mind on the day of your exam. 

I, personally, felt a lot of stress during my examinations, but I had poor time management which made me restless during my examination and I started fearing what would happen if I forgot everything while taking the examination. Another factor is the environment you study in. You will lose focus if you try studying while your family is watching a movie (Multitasking is not the way ._.).

While exams can be stressful, they are also an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding and apply what you’ve learned. So, take a deep breath, relax, and approach your studies with a positive mindset. Remember, the goal is not just to score high marks, but to learn and grow. Best of luck with your future examinations! Don’t let distractions deter you from your path. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep moving forward! 😊

Written by Laya Pallavan