EXAM STRESS.

 

 

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Title: How to Deal with Exam Stress

Introduction
I believe pupils and students should be taught the best possible ways to manage exams and stress. While no advice can completely take away our worries, tips and support can make a big difference. It helps to know we’re not alone when it comes to facing exams.

Studying
Studying is one of the most challenging parts. It can be difficult to know when to take breaks, how long to study, and what method works best. Many of us experience going blank or not knowing whether we’re doing things right or wrong. These struggles can be even more difficult when you have learning disabilities or memory problems.

Food
Eating well helps our brains function, but eating healthily isn’t always easy—especially if you're on a low budget or benefits. With cuts in care and support, many people with disabilities can’t afford help with shopping or planning meals. Although we all know that fruit and vegetables are important, access to fresh produce and the cost of healthy food can be barriers. Junk food is often cheaper, but not better for our mental focus.

Nerves
Not everyone stays calm when exams come around—I'm certainly not one of them. Nerves can quickly turn into stress, and stress can lead to physical symptoms like nosebleeds, sickness, headaches, and dizziness. People often say “don’t worry,” but that’s easier said than done. When anxiety kicks in, you feel what you feel.

Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential, especially before exams. But anxiety makes it hard to switch off your thoughts. You may feel tired but wide awake, no matter what time you go to bed. Relaxation techniques or activities to calm the mind would be helpful before exams. Despite my anxiety, I’ve managed to pass most of my exams—even if it’s taken more than one attempt, like my Functional Skills Reading Level 1 exam, which I passed on the third try. Dyslexia and anxiety have made reading, comprehension, and memory a constant challenge.

Why Do We Get in a State?
Worry can affect anyone. There’s a saying, “worry gets you in an early grave,” and I believe there’s truth in that—stress can take a toll on health. For people with anxiety, it’s common to have hundreds of questions running through your mind. You wonder if you’ve studied enough, and often the truth is you’ve done more than you think. When you fail, it can feel like there’s no hope. I know this feeling well—if I had failed my reading test a third time, I wouldn’t have been able to take it again at Old Street College. But thankfully, I passed.

How Are We on the Day of the Exam?
Most people feel nervous on the day. I often feel like I haven’t absorbed enough knowledge and struggle to understand what I’m reading. With dyslexia, memory issues can make processing information take longer. Writing is also hard—some days I spell things right, other days I don’t. Sometimes, in a rush, I’ll write the wrong word without realizing it. That doesn’t mean I don’t know the word—it’s just how dyslexia works. Years ago, dyslexia wasn’t well understood; people were labeled as lazy or stupid. I was one of those children. It would be nice to feel equal and valued for who we are.

Despite everything, many people with dyslexia are talented and artistic. We are often misunderstood but have strengths others may not see.

The Waiting Game
Waiting for results can feel like waiting forever. It’s stressful wondering what will happen next. Will you get another chance if you fail? Will you be able to go through it all again? I remember preparing for my third reading exam, thinking I wouldn’t pass. But the third time, I didn’t panic as much. When the result finally arrived, I was in shock—I had passed! I stared at the letter for ages, not believing it. Then it sank in. After all the anxiety, I realized it wasn’t as bad as I feared. If you don’t succeed the first time, try again. There’s always another way forward.

How to Cope if You Fail
We shouldn’t build our hopes too high, but we also shouldn’t be too negative. There’s always another direction to take. Education is important, but living your life is more important. If you fail, you may feel like giving up, but don't. Keep trying. There's always another way. With the right support, especially for people with dyslexia or anxiety, success is possible.

Everyone deserves the chance to feel proud and supported. If you want it badly enough, keep going. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel.

 

 

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