How to avoid the fever and fear of final examinations

How to avoid the fever and fear of final examinations -- Remember, the exam is not to crucify you. It is a bridge to the next stage of academic life P7 candidates completed their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) last Thursday. However, S4 and S6 candidates still have a month to go. Many candidates who spoke to Education Vision said they were gripped by fear on entering the examination room. Wagwau Jamesa gives tips on coping. THE Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) have just ended. I guess it was a hot journey for the P7 candidates. Congratulations for crossing the Red Sea. Senior four and six candidates still have to swim their way through. Is the journey that simple? Not at all. One of the hurdles which candidates usually face is that of being scared or nervous. This is commonly known as “examination fever.” Examination fever affect various candidates differently. It is often characterised by increased heart beat, sweating, increased rate of breathing, momentary abdominal discomfort and trembling of the limbs. All these feelings vary from one individual to another. If the idea of having an examination paper in front of you scares you and makes you sweat and tremble, congratulations! This proves that you are a human being who feels like others. Experience shows that this feeling of nervousness takes up most candidates few minutes before beginning an exam paper. If you experience this, you are not being abnormal. You only need to know how to cope with it. The following tips can prove useful to you in handling examination fever. l Remember it is normal to feel nervous, this happens any time we venture into a new experience. l A certain amount of anxiety or nervousness is needed to do a good job. It keeps you alert and with a desire to succeed. l Always be prepared. This is the “golden rule” of success. Have all that you need and be prepared mentally to face the examination battle. l Try to relax yourself before you attempt a paper. Do not rush, remember you are not alone. God is with you. Therefore you can pray silently in your heart for help and strength from God before you begin. Finally, have it in your mind that the examination is not there to “crucify” you. Instead, it is a “bridge” which you have to cross in order to reach the other side of the lake. Examiners are usually more interested in your success than failure. Therefore, face the battle and fight like a brave warrior. You will win. Do not let fear steal your future. You can do it. Success! The writer is a teacher and counsellor at Highfield Junior Academy, Gayaza. * * * By Yasmin Makumbi Some people find exam time so bad they become ill, because they are afraid of failing. They may also be afraid of letting their parents and relatives down. For others, the thought of hard work of study and revising leaves them depressed. Farouk 16, taking final exams says: “Different people deal with exams in different ways. There is so much pressure placed on you to pass. I feel I would be letting my parents and relatives down if I didn’t do well.” His answer to the problem is “stay on top of the work.” He adds: ”I don’t just sit there and read. I try to condense my notes, make short notes of the important points. Then I can read through it faster in the last few days.” You can handle exams with confidence. Here are some tips. l Get help. Ask a teacher about how to go on revising during the examination period. l Take short rests during revision. If your mind is tired, it will not register anything you read. l Plan your work, revise at times when you know you will work at your best. l Stay healthy. Get enough sleep and eat sensibly. l Exercise. You need exercise to work well that is walk run play sport whatever you enjoy. l Be positive. Stop thinking about the future and failing. l Do your best, no one can do more than this. l Be alert. if you feel ill talk to someone about your worries. l Do not relax too much. Find a balance. l Be sensible. if it upsets, do not talk to your friends about an exam you have just done. What is done is done. You can’t change what you have written! l Always have faith in what you can do. You are not alone, God can help you. Search for him. The writer is a teacher at City Parents School, Kampala. ends