Final Exams :c

[doubletime]

As I previously talked about my HSC anxiety, I've come to the realisation that I'm not okay with exams.

No matter how much I try, I quite legitimately cannot prepare successfully for them.

I guess the entire point of an exam is to test your knowledge but whenever I partake in the exam, I lose everything I've learnt in the past year or so. Especially maths.

My final math HSC is tomorrow and my anxiety is skyrocketing through the roof and is absolutely destroying my mental.

My other final exam is the day after tomorrow and I'm honestly struggling with everything + including time management. I know worrying isn't going to help me but I don't think that last-minute studying is either; I'm not comfortable with some of the topics and if I'm being honest, I might screw up my final which is worth 50% of my atar.

I've secured two spots in two different universities already, however, my dream uni doesn't really offer early entry so I have to wait until I get my atar results, to come to a conclusion about which one I want to attend. Anyways, my dream uni and course have a minimum atar of like 70.45, which is something I can get (hopefully lol), but personally, I wanted an atar of like high 80's/low 90's because I was content with that, but with how I'm performing in the HSC exams, I'm not sure if that possible.  

Anyways, moving on, I don't know why I'm so burnt out, like I just sleep my days away because I'm afraid of the stuff I won't be able to accomplish and even though I have things planned out for the day, I end up procrastinating and wasting hours and hours away just doing useless things. 

This all comes back to bite me in the bum and to be honest, it's not a good long-term habit, procrastination that is. I just want HS to end already, I want to build my own routine and I want to accomplish things that are things other than exams.

I just want this to pass by already.

[Sophie_M]

Dear doubletime

Thank you for posting this evening. 

We are sorry to hear you are going through this right now, it sounds like you have a lot to tend to and all at once!  While you wait for a response to your thread, we thought we would just pop in and include some resources for you to look at and which may help with managing the stress and anxiety:

Anxiety explained.
 
Managing Stress, Anxiety
 
Anxiety Management App
 
Please also reach out to your GP to let them know how you are feeling and make that added effort each day to remind yourself just how well you are doing, studying is not easy and takes so much perseverance.  Please give yourself the credit you deserve.  
 
In the meantime, if ever you feel up to talking, our fully trained counsellors are also here on the other end of the line, on 1300 22 4636 or via our WebChat
 
It’s great to have you here and thank you again for reaching out, it shouldn’t be too long before you here from one of our lovely community members.  Please be kind to yourself.
 
Regards 
 
Sophie M

[Merry G]

Thanks for sharing doubletime!

 I feel your struggles with test anxiety as a university student who also completed my HSC. I know from personal experience going into an exam overly stressed often makes it worse. I found that practicing some breathing techniques and positive affirmations (just saying it in my head) before and during an exam allowed me to calm myself down when I was starting to feel overwhelmed. I’m not sure if you have tried these techniques, but it may be beneficial.

I also experienced the worst procrastination I have ever experienced in my final year of university. I believe the root of my procrastination was burnout from not reaping the benefits of my hard work. I minimised my procrastination by scheduling study sessions and including rewards for myself after completing the sessions. This could be something you could try, if you wish. These rewards could be food-related (e.g., a chocolate bar) to event-related (e.g., getting a massage). Ultimately, the rewards are something you would personally enjoy. 

At the end of the day, just remember that doing poorly in your HSC exams is not the end of the world. In fact, you have already secured spots in some universities (good job!). Even if you do not get into your dream university from your ATAR, there are often still other ways to get into universities, so do not give up on the prospects of attending that university. 

I hope I've provided some helpful advice and insight on how to approach the HSC exams. I wish you all the best for those exams and life in general. You are so close to saying “HSCya later” (not sure if people still say that haha)! 

Merry G