why do people feel stressed to do well for exams? why do people feel pressured to score good grades for tests? why do people feel miserable when they do not get at least a pass in certain subjects? why do people always regret not studying harder before the question paper was passed down the aisle? why do people do such silly things?

the truth behind exams lies in the fact that they are but a means to test how much u've learnt over the past few months sitting either in that boring lecture theatre listening to the boringest of cmi lectures or the classroom that u've slept best in. exams are there to test YOU, not make you feel miserable. exams are there to help you, not make you depressed.

the marks that u get are but a figure. a number that can be an 80 or an 08. it doesnt make a difference because thats only a representation of what you actually store in your brain after either hardworkingly copying word for word of the lecturer or falling asleep on the table for the millionth time. it is a proof to yourself of how much you've learnt. not of your worth, because you are worth much more than 80 or 08 marks. you are god's child. god's princes. god's princesses.

on the contrary to the belief that tests and exams being hopelessly stressful, i think they are a great opportunity to prove that you have the ability to do well. however, in order to get the satisfaction of a test paper well answered, you have to put in the effort. the main objective of a test or an exam is for you to revise and remember what you have learnt during lessons.

as such, the revision and studying prior to the test is as important as the actual writing of answers during the test. for those people who can't live without the computer, choose a place to study where it is free of such distractions. handphones, PDAs, palmtops, the TV or even your favourite magazine or book can wait. only by settling down and concentrating can you get things done.

now on to the point of studying being stressful. studying is stressful, but its extent is determined by YOU. the stress padi out will be rewarded with satisfaction if properly invested. why do i say invested? because the amount of panic and studying as well as hard work you pour into your studies will be exponentially multiplied and returned in the form of the amount of satisfaction you get. the harder you study, the smarter you become, the better your marks, the greater your satisfaction.

much as i would like to say i had a clean track record of not failing ANY test, i sadly cant. my physics EOY exam was a pathetic 52 marks upon 100. it shocked me. it really did. others include jap tests , with barely passing scores of 22/50. (i failed my math too.) yet the sourness and bitterness felt from the moment the paper reaches your hand after it is marked does not linger on. it disappears after a while.

DO NOT DWELL ON FAILURE. i repeat. DO NOT DWELL ON FAILURE. failure is but a passing phase. for those who think failure sticks with you like butter sticks with flies and sauce sticks with pans, think otherwise. failure is due to either poor performance prior of during the test. if its the former, it may be something wrong with your study technique.

asking is the best way to solve problems. experimentation too. different people learn with different styles. some may like visual notes. others prefer hearing lectures and their photographic memory kicks in. or maybe you like to experiment with things on the spot and learn through experience? you never know until you've tried. test out the studying techniques and familiarise and use the one you are most comfortable and effective with.

it's never too late to ask frenz how they study. i mean, what are friends for? just rememeber that failure is never the end of the road. and if you've lost your motivation to study due to poor results, stress or fatigue, i pray you will not give up. what are exams? exams are mere tests? why be beaten by them? fancy being depressed over a few pieces of A4 paper! and plus. you're a prince/princess!!

if these exams make you depressed and you lose interest in the subject and learning, try to go to the root of the problem. most of the time people say that they spent alot of time studying. however, comparatively, you may have breezed through the textbook compared to the hours others put in for their in-depth understanding. everyone thinks they've studied, until they meet up with a challenging paper that stretches them.

play less. study more. if you know that you're spending too much time on your CCA, or doing other things which are prioritised below your studies, you may wanna change your habits. talking about habits, some people study best under pressure. others prefer an easy going schedule, doing things a bit at a time, so as not to end up with last minute midnight oil burning.

lastly, if you're like me who can't seem to keep still and study, try doing something else. like eating. everytime i study for a test, i must must must eat something. munching on fruits, drinking milk, eating curry puffs etc. the most effective way of studying is through understanding of your ownself.

never underestimate yourself. commit your exams to god in prayer. god bless you.