Exam anxiety and anxiety management in students

EXAM ANXIETY IN STUDENTS AND ANXIETY MANAGEMENT
Exam anxiety is the emotion that consists of emotional and physiological symptoms that our body shows towards the negative results of the exam before, during and after the exam. One of the most important factors affecting the formation of test anxiety is the person’s characteristic feature, learning style and the family’s behavior style. These three factors are the most important factors that trigger test anxiety. The situation that causes test anxiety to occur is the catastrophic, that is, the “worst scenario” and “catastrophic” expectations of the person. Negative thoughts such as “I will not be able to do the exam,” “I will take it badly,” “I will be disgraced,” “how am I going to face my family,” “what if I faint in the exam,” “I can’t make it up,” and “everyone is better than me” tend to predominate during the exam and begins to appear with emotional symptoms along with negative thoughts. For all these reasons, the person worries, fears, becomes unhappy, feels helpless and ashamed. Along with the sensory symptoms, physical symptoms such as sweating, tremor, heart palpitations, headache, nausea and panic state are also observed. There is no single cause of test anxiety. Many factors affect test anxiety. The two important factors that create anxiety are the genetic and temperamental characteristics of the person. The personality trait that stands out in this regard is perfectionism. The most important factor in the formation of the perfectionist personality structure is the family. With the influence of families, the anxiety level of the person who acquires a perfectionist behavior style increases. The environment, family and teachers have high expectations from the child and this expectation is constantly emphasized to the child, for example; “You are smart, you can do it,” “we expect you to win that university, that department.” Expressions such as these are among the factors that increase the stress load on the child rather than motivating the children. Expecting the person to reach unrealistic goals also increases the level of anxiety and stress in the person. If the person starts to experience all these symptoms before or after the exam, they can deal with anxiety.
may be found in avoidance behaviors to quit. For example; They may not want to take an exam, may not want to go to school, and may either avoid social activities and withdraw, overeat or not eat at all. Such avoidance behaviors also increase the stress in the child in general. In this process, physiological disorders such as burnout syndrome, weight gain or weight loss and digestive disorders may occur. The most basic point in coping with anxiety is to realize and accept the process that one is going through. Fighting the negative thoughts that come to our mind is the second stage. In cases where we cannot prevent negative thoughts from taking place in our minds, noticing this thought, trying to name the emotion experienced and focusing on the current job is the most important way to cope with anxiety. A good planning and guidance also plays an important role in accepting the normality and normality of anxiety and in moving towards the determined goal. To determine the subjects, to make a plan, to determine how to do it, to use time well and to use time well; It is essential to plan daily activities such as nutrition, sleep, self-care, activity, self-reward and establishing social relationships. Breathing and awareness exercises before and during the exam are among the main activities that increase focus. Trying to learn something new just before the exam can cause more panic and anxiety. In this case, it will be more beneficial for the person to make small changes instead of working. As a result, the most important factor in coping with exam anxiety is to notice negative thoughts about the exam and to fight these negative thoughts. All these methods we have listed for this purpose are among the methods that help to focus and motivate better without impairing functionality in anxiety management.