Being a bit nervous before an exam is perfectly normal and quite alright because it makes you concentrate better. But being TOO nervous can inhibit you.
The good news: You can get a grip on your exam nerves - if you recognise them and face up to them.
What are exam nerves?
Exam nerves is a term used to describes a state of agitation or anxiety experienced when faced with an assessment situation or the need to perform.
For example, if you are actually familiar with the subject matter but unable to remember it in the exam. Or even the very thought of an exam makes you break out in a sweat. Or you never feel that you are sufficiently prepared. Or you never manage to get the grades you set yourself.
Exam nerves can manifest themselves in different ways. Symptoms can be:
- Restlessness
- Shaky hands, sweating
- Feeling faint or nauseous
Exam nerves can be related to different aspects of the exam.
Fear of the exam situation
You find the exam situation threatening and various bad scenarios go through your mind. As a consequence, you are no longer able to concentrate on learning but instead start cleaning your room, go shopping, help friends move house or whatever. It seems to you that you cannot postpone these distractions.
Anxiety during an exam
Being aware of your own anxiety in the exam situation makes you even more anxious. A vicious circle which in the worst case will lead to a complete blackout.
Fear of the consequences of bad performance
Pressure to perform and peer pressure make you place too high demands on yourself. If you fail to fulfil these demands, this leads to uncertainty and consequently to more mistakes or avoidance behaviour. Even when the exam is already over, you still feel anxious: You are anxious about the announcement of the grades, the next exams or studying as a whole.
What can I do against exam nerves?
If you suffer very badly from exam nerves, your departmental student advisory service as well as the Special Needs Officer together with your lecturers can help to find a solution.
Help is also available from the University, Seezeit student services and external sources:
Personal study-related or private problems
Should you have any personal problems, regardless of what kind (e.g. problems with your studies, family issues, depression), please feel free to contact Seezeit’s Psychotherapeutic Advice Unit.
The Psychotherapy Outpatients Department of the University of Konstanz offers behaviour-oriented psychotherapy.
How to study more efficiently
The Central Student Advisory Service organises seminars and courses which can show you some tips and tricks (e.g. speed reading, learning techniques) to make your studies more successful.
Strike a balance
Physical exercise and getting away from your desk might help to lower stress levels. Join in one of the activities offered by University Sport!
In addition, Seezeit offers relaxation and stress management courses each semester. Courses are reasonably priced and open to all students.
Professional exam coaching
Gabriele Koch is an external exam coach and also advises on skills development.
Am I studying the wrong subject?
You can get to the bottom of this question by discussing it in depth. Please make an appointment with the Central Student Advisory Service.
Alternatively, you can find the answer to this question in the framework of a BEST training session.
Simply talk to someone
If you would simply like to talk to someone and get the frustration off your chest then you will find nice and helpful people to chat to on the Konstanz Nightline. This service operates at night when friends or contact points at the university are not available.