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A certain amount of nervousness is normal when preparing for exams and can be used as a motivating force in the run up to the examination, to help with revision. However, too much can make you panic and forget everything you have learned. During the Driving Test a perfectly safe and competent driver can make mistakes which they would not normally make. In psychology this is known as state-dependant memory. The state you are in determines what you can remember. If you are in a very different state to when you were learning, it is hard to recall things.
Extreme exam nerves can lead to panic attacks, insomnia and loss of appetite – none of which will help you pass the exam.
Exam Nerves
Hypnotherapy & Exam Nerves
Hypnotherapy can help with relaxation and positive outlook. In hypnosis you can visualise success, not unlike a sportsperson visualising winning. The subconscious doesn’t distinguish between reality and imagination, so with visualisation your mind already thinks of itself as successful. This, in turn, will decrease anxiety. Changing the way you view exams, from a test of your abilities to an opportunity to show what you are capable of, changes the way you see your situation – from victim to success.
Hypnosis can’t make you know something you haven’t learnt but everything you have learnt is in your brain somewhere and, with post hypnotic suggestions, hypnosis can help you to recall facts more easily so that you experience that wonderful feeling in your exam when you see a question and think ‘I know this’.
Learning Experiences
Throughout the internet you will find hints and tips to improve your study and revision in exams. Here are some tips based on psychology, NLP and hypnosis:
· Designate one area for study – and use it
This will train your subconscious to get into the right frame of mind to study – and the effect is cumulative
· Eliminate external distractions
Music can help but anything with conversation can interrupt your train of thought – so turn off the TV or radio and put you mobile on voicemail.
· Short periods of study are more effective than many hours – and always take a break between different subjects
Your brain seems to need a break between blocks of knowledge to absorb the information and ‘file’ it under the right subjects.
· When you can’t focus your attention any longer take a break and leave your study area.
This is part of training your subconscious that this area is for study.
· Use sleep to ‘seal in’ any learning and review anything new you have learnt within three days
You will be more likely to retain information that is followed by a nights sleep than information you have memorised before carrying out your daily activities.
· Set targets and reward yourself for successful study
It is hard to imagine doing anything without some sort of reward, whether the reward is simply feeling good about yourself, getting the job you want, having someone proud of you or getting a bonus. Sometimes it is not obvious what your reward is but if you have trouble studying give yourself a distinct reward – if you anticipate the reward your resolve to learn is strengthened and reinforced.
Exam nerves can usually be cured in only 1 session. Some serious phobias can take longer. Each time you experience a problem it strengthens your fear - deal with it NOW.
Don’t let all your hard work go to waste
I was thrown out of college for cheating on the metaphysics exam: I looked into the soul of another boy.
Woody Allen