Any tips for exam nerves?

[ChildishLegacy]

So in these next couple of weeks I have all of my final A level exams coming up, with an offer to study at Cambridge riding on the results of them, I've always suffered from a few hiccups in exam halls but since these ones count for so much and I won't have the safety net of resitting these exams, I honestly get so worked up and nervous about them before I'm even in there, let alone actually doing the exam.

My main problem is that I need to get an A* in my Chemistry A level for my Cambridge offer, and this final exam is 50% of the whole A level, and I need to get 88%+ in this final exam to ensure my A*.

I know I can do just fine on them, I've proven that to myself, so I guess it's irrational nervousness, which makes it all the harder to convince myself to calm the fuck down. Has anybody else had any luck getting over their own exam nerves, or know what could help me with this? Because I don't want silly, irrational fears to jeopardize my future. I'd really beat myself up over it if I ended up messing up my exams when I know I easily have the knowledge to do just fine on them.

 

[Galletea]

Well the thing to remember is that if it does all go horribly wrong, then the world won't stop. Not getting into Cambridge would not leave you without any hope, and no one will think any the less of you- well no one that matters anyway.

You know you can do it, so just try and focus on that fact. Forget any what-ifs, you can work on that if it happens, focus on the positives and you'll be fine. And stop over-analysing your own feelings. People get nerves, it happens, they are meant to make you perform better, apparently.

Anyways, good luck, and remember that all is not lost if you don't quite get there.

 

[SpectacularWebHead]

I'm doing my GCSE's, and at the moment, to try and chill out, I'd recomend Journey.
Not leaving the house and walking, god no, But the game. It might be an effect it just has on me, But after I've been stressing on revision for a few hours, it chills me out. That or drawing, reading, just something to distract you from the pressures for a bit.

 

[Frankster]

I'd say not going into cambridge is hardly the end of the world and a good education from any uni will always be valued, and besides screw those poofs who think they are so high and fancy, but then considering me being an underachiever I'm hardly the person to talk to if you're aiming for the stars.

Regardless, I am the master of cool when it comes to exams, here's things that worked for me:
-Have a laugh with your friends before the exam, and pump yourself up at how you're gonna totally fuck over the exam and show it whos boss. Bravado can be of a surprising help sometimes.
-Make sure you have a good nights sleep. Basic but not being knackered will help being in good mood. Eating a delicious breakfast might help aswell to put yourself on the right foot.
-Stay positive, do something sporty of physical if you're feeling tense, or something calm and creative if you're feeling jitterish (anything artsy will do)

The thing about exams is it's not just about revising hard and long, its also a mental exercise that tests your resistance to stress and pressure.
I should know cos I never did those things (revising hard and long). Yet I still passed comfortably even against apparently "smarter" peers of mine, and even now in uni I still do better then I should (my average grades are in the 2.1 region, which i what most people aspire to), simply because I wasn't flipping out and was able to focus what limited knowledge I had.

 

[renegade7]

The world certainly won't end if you don't get into a top tier school. When I found I didn't get into my number one school (University of Chicago, a very tough school to get into) I was pretty upset, but my second choice turned out to be a real gem.

That being said, anxiety is a killer during exams. Try to just not think at all about college. Just focus completely on finishing the test and you should be fine as long as you've studied. Speaking of studying, don't cram. By exam week, you either know the material or you don't, and trying to force an entire semester of knowledge into your head will serve only to stress you out and make things worse for you.

And a solid breakfast is very important to exam days. Make sure it's very healthy, nothing sugary except for a glass of orange juice (the natural sugar stimulates enzyme release and helps start the digestion process, giving you more energy). Eggs and toast are what I eat before exams (no butter, fat takes a lot of energy to digest and will slow you down).

And make sure you drink water before you start, but not too much. They say that you are allowed to ask permission to use the bathroom if you must, but if the standardised testing in the UK is at all like what it is here in the US they will do ANYTHING they can to you accuse of cheating if you get a high score.

 

[applesandoranges]

edit

 

[JesterRaiin]

Has anybody else had any luck getting over their own exam nerves, or know what could help me with this?

Listen to MoS's "Normandy" all the time. It helps. :]

 

[DirgeNovak]

Don't study at the last minute, *not even for a quick refresher*. That never works and only stresses you more. Study until about twelve hours before the exam, then stop and have a rest. Catch up on sleep, watch a couple good movies, play your favorite games, whatever, get your mind off it. Then when you go to your exam, you'll be relaxed, and all the knowledge you need will still be in your head when you need it.

I did that for my statistics exam a couple weeks ago, which I wasn't even sure I'd be able to pass, because I suck ass at math - AND I had failed that course last year - AND if I failed it again I would have been kicked out.
I still took it slow, studied all I needed until 8 PM the eve of the exam. Then I watched A Clockwork Orange, finished Devil May Cry 3 and went to sleep. I never looked into that book until after the exam.

I got a motherfucking A.

 

[Evil Smurf]

have a study routine and stick to it

 

[Random Argument Man]

First thing is to be prepared. Did you study for a long time? Yes? If so, half of your stress should be cutted off. Try to imagine what type of questions that your teacher will ask you and answer them. If you're prepared, you should at least be able to answer the questions.

Don't study right before the exam. You'll have too much information in your head and you won't be able to process it in time. Before the exam, have a glass of water. Most people who have stress tend to get thirsty and it will only be a distraction. Same thing if you're hungry. Also remember to have some deep breaths.

It's also a good thing to remember what makes you confident in yourself. Most of the stress comes from self-doubt. Remember some examples of success in life and you'll feel much better about yourself. It sounds stupid, but it works.

Just remember: Be prepared, eliminate outside sources of stress and keep a good amount of confidence. You'll be fine.