Keeping calm in exams
The nerves that you feel leading up to an exam are natural, and in most cases, functional. However, being overly-nervous could negatively affect your exam performace and lead to panic during an excam.
Here are some top tips for keeping calm during exams so you can perform to the best of your ability:
Tips to keep calm
Pace yourself
If you find yourself rushing through the questions, purposefully slow down. Try and avoid skim-reading or scrolling to quickly.
Breathe
It's common to hold your breath or breathe shallowly when nervous. Purposefully pause regularly to inhale for at least 3 second sand exhale for longer.
Check in
Now and then, check in with your posture and how your body is feeling. If you feel tense anywhere, adjust your posture, relax your shoulders, or stretch your arms if possible. If you are starting to feel overwhelmed, remember to breathe deeply.
Top tips 2
Reset your state
If panic starts to set in, you lose focus, or you start to feel physically uncomfortable, stop for a few moments to regulate.
Perspective
Try and think positively - "I will try my best", "Exam performance dies not define me as a person", "When this exam is over I deserve to celebrate or reward myself"