speech on 'Exam: face it with confidence'
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Answer:
examinations are around the corner. For many students examination days are days of fear and worry. As a result, they are unable to concentrate and make any progress. Examinations are not to be considered as essential for our education process. All the same, they help us to make an evaluation; it is an opportunity to feel proud of ourselves and a time to check out our style and methods of studying and preparing. Examinations help us measure our intellectual calibre, memory power and concentration.
Success in exams depends on a positive condition of mind and body, or the power of work and courage. The more we invest ourselves in an exam, the better are our chances of success.
In order to prepare well in advance, we need self-confidence and a strong mind to dedicate time and energy to prepare for an examination.
Preparation can be on three levels:
a. Remote preparation
This is the time to learn and record as many facts as possible. This is usually done by reading books and material eagerly and extensively. Here your intention is to improve your treasure of knowledge. It is this study that helps you to outshine other students. Daily study and preparation of the next day’s classes also come within the purview of remote preparation.
b. Mediate Preparation
At this level, students should focus more on the syllabus and study, keeping the examination in mind. Sure and complete reading and studying are necessary to score good marks in the examination. Sufficient revisions have to be made and the subject must be clear to the student. Here, the student takes short notes using different systems like preparing short note cards based on a topic. Each card will deal with one subject.
c. Immediate preparation
Immediate preparation is done when the exams are just under your nose. You will have no time to spare for any other purpose. Your mind will be filled with exam “mania”. This is the time for intense concentration, and making the best use of your memory. The cards or the short notes you have made during the second stage will be of great help here.
There are certain things in life that we need to do though we do not like them, as they are essential for our growth. Most of the time it is these painful things and experiences that promote our growth and success. William James, the American psychologist, used to say, “Everyone, especially young people, should do everyday something which one does not like to do.”
Certain things in life require nothing less than full commitment. Examinations are one such thing which require full commitment and hard work. Examination demands toil and pain of studying with intense concentration. This develops the discipline needed to do what is necessary even though it may be unpleasant. Anything worthwhile in life demands sacrifice, pain and self-discipline.
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Explanation:
For many students the biggest problem with exams is a lack of confidence, or what some people might call “test anxiety”.
While knowing the content of the exam is, obviously, of importance, being able to put yourself in the proper mental state to excel and show off your learning is also significant.
The following 7 tips can help any middle school, high school, college or post-graduate student to do better on tests, earn better grades, and do it all with less stress:
1. Prepare Well
As we noted above, there is no substitute for good preparation. You have to study, pay attention in class, read the materials, and engage with what you are learning.
The best way to study is not to cram it all in hours or minutes before an exam. In fact, research has proven that a person who studies and then gets some rest does better on a test than someone who crams for twice as long and then goes straight to the exam.
2. Note Down What You Think and Learn
You may have heard someone say that you only remember 10% of what you read and 20% of what you hear.
These numbers have not really been supported by research, but it is true that people tend to remember more of what they engage with – that is, you remember something that you do or teach more than anything you just read or hear. This is one reason that taking notes about what you are learning is so important. As you write notes your brain is more likely to record, and later be able to recall, what you learned.
3. Have a Positive Approach
Both when studying and when actually sitting for an exam, attitude matters. A positive attitude keeps your mind open, it keeps your body relaxed, and it makes it easier for you to concentrate and recall what you have learned.
Sometimes, though, staying positive can be difficult, particularly if the test is very important, if you are experiencing other life challenges at the time, if the exam is in a subject that is particularly difficult for you, or if you really have a bad test anxiety issue. In such situations simply trying to keep a good mood may not be easy.
Thus, you may want to consider 5-HTP bulk supplements if you need a little extra positive jolt. 5-HTP is a compound that the body produces naturally to work with serotonin to improve mood and induce feelings of happiness. This inexpensive supplement might be just the key you need to keeping a positive attitude during stressful exam.
4. Drink More Water and Eat Healthy Foods
Of course, drinking ample water (6-8 glasses a day, for most people), and eating healthy food including lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains, is an important part of giving your body energy and your mind the power it needs.
5. Avoid Talking About Your Studies Just Before the Exam and Trust Your Preparation
Sometimes the best way to relieve stress is to not talk about the topic but, instead, just take a break and let your mind relax.
This is particularly true of test anxiety; it is important that you get your mind of your studies in the hour or so just before the exam. Rather than cramming in those last minute facts, trust that you have done your due diligence, studied what needed to be studied, and now give yourself a mental time out. Clear your mind and go into the test fresh.
6. Include a Small Fun Break in Your Schedule to Relax Your Body
Of course, breaks are not just for the hour or so leading up to your test. Even when you are studying hard for the most important test of your life, you need to take some breaks.
The best way to do this is to schedule them into your study time.
If you take impromptu breaks you are more likely to abuse them, letting your attention wander too far from your task at hand. Instead, schedule your study time and build-in breaks. For example, you might say that you are going to start studying at 4pm, then take a break for dinner at 5pm. Then, you plan to study from 6 until 7pm.
7. Do Meditation
Continuing the schedule from the previous tip, let’s remember that you also need to rest your mind and open it up for more learning.
So, some of those breaks might be relaxing, taking a nap, eating, and otherwise taking care of your body. But some should include taking care of your mind, perhaps through meditation. Let’s say that it is now 7pm, do a bit of yoga or meditation. Then, do a final hour of studying before getting a good night’s sleep.