Stress can be a real game-changer when it comes to exams. It’s like this invisible force that sneaks up on you and messes with your focus and concentration. When you’re feeling stressed, it’s hard to think clearly and recall the information you’ve studied. It’s like your mind goes blank at the most crucial moments. And that can definitely lead to not-so-great results and all that hard work feels like it’s slipping away. Stress can also lead to poor decision-making. We may rush through questions without fully understanding them or make careless mistakes. It’s like our brains are on overdrive, and it’s hard to keep up with everything.

I had two attempts for exam for med school. The first time, I did poorly (77%), probably from being overly anxious. The second time, I did well (88%), so there was a significant difference. Let me spill all the details.

I had 2.5 months to prepare for the test, and I did an absolutely outstanding job. I attended the top lectures, studied the textbooks several times, worked through thousands of practice questions, and I was extremely well-versed in everything. Since this was my first attempt and I was living in a hostel, being away from home, the weight of family expectations really took a toll on me. It caused an immense amount of stress.I started to worry that I wouldn’t know anything after finishing my sixth revision ten days prior to the exam. I was so stressed out the day before the exam that I couldn’t even describe it. I was solving problems and rewriting entire chapters because I was so stressed out. I studied until 10 p.m. I went to bed intending to get 8 hours of sleep, but tension kept me up for the next 2 hours. I slept around 1 am, and then stress caused me to wake up at 4 am, when I started revising again. Since I had an exam at 8 am, I went over the entire biology material again about 7. And because I hadn’t slept well, I was terrified of what would happen to me as I was about to depart for my exam my head was spinning.

I bought a bottle of water to drink during the exam. Although I didn’t appear to be fully focused on the test, I was really exhausted and my blood pressure was elevated.I was so enraged that I didn’t take a single sip from the bottle and my face was fully red. I knew I had made the blender when I got home. I therefore spent three days depressed, but fortunately the government canceled the test due to corruption by large fish, and they declared that the test would be rescheduled in two months.

I didn’t think of opening books this time, so I spent about a month getting ready for nothing. Then came a wedding in our family after six years. I experienced social anxiety when last time I attended an event in 2018. This time, I made the decision to make no compromises at all and to fully enjoy the event. As a result, I went shopping, rehearsed some dance moves and enjoyed. I had left one week to prepare for my exam, for which I had prepared crazily in the past, following the marriage ceremony. I made a simple study schedule, figuring to spend two days on each subject and then take a test on the seventh day.I took the required books to my farmhouse, which is about three minutes away from my house, and I studied there in the sun. I used to leave at seven in the morning and return at seven at night.This time, I prepared stress-free without using a phone. I took nine hours sleep a night before exam. Next morning, I drove an hour to the exam center with friends with a lot of gossips and chuckles. Exam management offered us refreshment. I took a sip of juice and looked around as I quietly sat in the chair and started answering the questions. Every kid was incredibly anxious and focused solely on their test. I took a deep breath, smiled and began solving questions. After finishing half of the paper, I finished the juice, ate some biscuits, and then I resumed my work while grinning. To my surprise, I completed the paper thirty minutes ahead of schedule. since the last time I couldn’t finish it, even marked last ten questions without reading statements as examiner announced to stop writing.

I was relieved as returned home and watched some episodes without any worry at all. I was shocked to see that I had received 88% of the possible points this time around , as I hadn’t prepared as thoroughly as I did the last time. It was at this point that I realized the full scope of stress. Everyone is aware of the ins and outs of exam; the stress is what alters behavior. I have since discovered that stress is bad, so I will never again let it get the best of me. Take a deep breath, stay focused, and give it your all. You’ve got this!

You might like to watch the video about How Stress Kill the Grades.