Exam results are a big deal, and often have a huge impact on your life. They can dictate the courses you take, the universities you go to and even the jobs you get (for example, some medical schools only accept candidates with a certain number of GCSE or A Level grades). So it’s no surprise that people feel anxious about them.
It’s worth remembering that your results are only one piece of the puzzle – and they don’t necessarily reflect the best version of yourself. It’s also important to develop stress management techniques that work for you, to prevent a bad result from knocking your confidence for good.
A great way to prepare for an exam is by studying regularly and making sure you get a good night’s sleep before the test. This will give you the best chance of doing well. However, it’s also important not to over-study, as this can have a negative effect on your performance. Over-studying can make you too nervous to think clearly and may cause you to panic, resulting in inaccurate answers.
Finally, it’s worth thinking about what motivates you to do well in exams – whether that’s getting into your dream university, impressing future employers or simply being proud of yourself. Try to remind yourself of these motivations before results day, and avoid being tempted by celebratory status updates from your friends – you don’t want one low mark to knock your confidence for good!