Overcoming the Fear of Failure – Exam Edition

The fear of failure is a further challenge many face when dealing with exams. Oftentimes, this could lead to people straying away from revision or even starting an unhealthy diet. There is, however, ways to overcome this issue and ease your worries as the exams approach. From confronting your fear at hand, to taking practical precautions, overcoming the fear of failure with our quick and easy tips will seem like a much easier feat to surpass.

1.       Accept Your Fear

·         Acknowledge that it is completely normal to feel worried and recognise that many people are in the same boat as you. You’ve got to remind yourself that this voice inside your head, although easier said than done, is not worth listening to! And remember, if this voice was a real-life person, you wouldn’t waste a second listening to its negative comments, so bring this same attitude when confronting your worries.

2.       Change Your Mindset

·         Failure is so often viewed as a bad thing. It is however infinitely more valuable to embrace failure and mistakes as these can be your steppingstones towards success. Hiding away will only stunt your growth and delay your worries. Re-evaluate the idea of success alongside this. Think about defining success as being what you learnt from the mistakes you made, rather than simply the accomplishment of your end goal.

3.       Prepare Beforehand

·         Complete mock tests beforehand so you feel less nervous coming into the exam. The more you practice, the more you will feel confident about what to expect, helping to reduce the likelihood of failure. Explore different revision techniques to find what suits you and improve your chances of success. This could range from mind-maps, flashcards, blurting etc. Anything that will keep you engaged and distract you from thinking about your worries.

4.       Speak to Someone  

·         Let your family and friends know how you’re feeling. Opening up about your fear can be the relief you need but will also allow your friends to be there to support you when you’re feeling anxious. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to friends and family, it’s a good idea to try and reach out a teacher/staff member. They could even try and make adjustments so that you feel more comfortable in your exams.

To conclude, by accepting your fear, changing your mindset, preparing beforehand, and seeking support from others, you can conquer the fear of failure and approach exams with confidence. Remember, failure is not the end, but rather a valuable opportunity for growth and learning. Embrace the journey, stay resilient, and trust in your abilities. With these tips and a positive mindset, success is within your reach. Good luck on your exams!