Phobias are not just extreme fears, they are irrational fears. They’re unreasonable
enough that they can affect people's lives and make them frightened to do things, which most
people do without thinking. For example; if you have a fear of heights, you may drive forty
kilometers to avoid a bridge.
Some phobias can be treated in a few sessions with the therapist. Some people with
phobias need medicine to help them get relaxed before therapy. Treatment can be done in
groups where people with the same phobia are helped together.
It doesn't matter how clever you are or how hard you work, you have probably become
anxious about an exam at some time in the past. Experts believe that about fifty percent of
all students suffer from exam phobia. Some people are so frightened of an exam they are
going to take that they cannot remember important information when they are in the exam
rooms. So these students will probably get lower marks. Some of them cannot even go into
the exam rooms, of course, they fail.
There are different reasons for exam phobia. Exams are extremely important for all
students. They are afraid of failing because if they fail they will not get into a good
university or find a good job. There are mental factors that can play a role in exam phobia.
Student expectations about exams are one major mental factor. For example, if a student
believes that she will perform poorly on an exam, she is far more likely to feel worried
before and during a test. Also, students don’t want to disappoint their parents. Bad study
habits, poor past test performance also affect their feeling towards the exams.
So what can students do if they suffer from exam phobia? Here is some advice from a
teacher. Get lots of sleep. If you are tired, you will feel more worried. Take time to recharge
your batteries. Eat healthy food. Lots of sweets and biscuits will not make you feel good. Be
sure to move around and take breaks during the examination. Believe in yourself. You must
believe that you can succeed.
