I am a final-year MBBS student from Puducherry. I love being a student but hate appearing for exams, though I study well. I desire to study more. I don’t want my attitude towards exams to hinder my plans. Please help.
You are most likely experiencing performance anxiety. This usually arises out of a need to excel amidst an intense fear of failure. Start by preparing for exams in a phased manner and constantly revise your subjects. The main reason many get stressed before an exam is the fear of what would happen if they forget the subject or what if the one question they did not study is asked. The only way to get over this fear is by preparing well. Set a timetable and stick to it as much as you can. As you start gaining confidence about your performance, you will find the fear is vanishing.
I am a Class XII student and unable to concentrate on my studies.
For concentration, I suggest you try out the following:
Pick a spot to study. If you find the right place and keep coming back to it, you will condition your brain to focus.
Choose a time to study. It can be in the morning or after a workout. Start at the same time.
Make a list of what you need to get done. Break large projects into easily digestible chunks.
Minimise distractions including cell phones, email and social networking sites.
Use active reading techniques to keep your brain from wandering off. Try looking away from the page and summarising out loud what you has just read.
Mix it up: Study one subject for an hour, take a break, and then continue with another subject. Sandwich boring subjects between your favourite ones.
Give yourself incentives: Let your treat be a chat with friends, a healthy snack, or a day out.
Dr Kannan Gireesh is a Chennai-based consultant psychiatrist, psychotherapist and counsellor. Students can SMS their queries to (0) 98414 16422 or send an email to queries.edex@newindianexpress.com