10 Smart fixes to the Most Common Exam Problems

Every student’s life includes exams, which serve as significant turning points in their academic careers. They are difficulties that test limits and frequently cause stress, insomnia, and excessive strain, so for many students, they are more than just knowledge assessments. Exams are rarely just about what’s written on the paper; they’re about managing a jumble of emotions, time, and priorities in an attempt to fulfil their own goals, their parents’ expectations, or their classmates’ expectations.

People don’t talk about enough the mental stress it imposes on our youth population. For the majority of mental illnesses, the onset is usually during the late teens and early adulthood. This a highly vulnerable part of our society which is often overlooked. As a result, student suicides have been increasing exponentially across the country. This has huge implications for both public welfare and the economy itself. 

But the good news is that these difficulties are temporary. With the correct resources and attitude, students can take charge of their exam preparation and even flourish under pressure. Psychology offers us many useful suggestions to achieve this, and small adjustments like segmenting assignments into manageable chunks, going over material again gradually rather than cramming, and even practising mindfulness to manage stress can have a significant impact. Even better, these aren’t just exams strategies; they’re long-term life skills. This article lists ten typical exams problems and offers clever, doable solutions for each.

Read More: Examination Anxiety: Doubts Kill the Will

1. Distractions

Problem

The world we live in today is filled to the brim with distractions. There are innumerable social media apps to spend time on. They are designed to keep the users engaged throughout the day if possible. An endless amount of content is available here. A dopamine rush is just one swipe away which makes it extremely addictive. And as all know, addiction is something difficult to get rid of, especially for the young ones. Students are often guilty of spending a big part of their days on these apps which takes away the time allotted for their studies. 

Smart Fix

It is impossible to eliminate social media usage nowadays. What we can do instead is to limit the time we spend on these apps. Most smartphones have a setting where a timer can be set for a particular app. For example: If we set a timer of 2 hours for YouTube, the smartphone will shut down the app once the time exceeds. It will reset after 24 hours, saving up valuable time. 

Read More: Natural Remedies and Psychological Benefits for Better Sleep

2. Ignoring the importance of Sleep and Nutrition

Problem

There is the problem of not prioritising studies. But several students face the opposite issue i.e. prioritising their studies too much. The human brain is built to run on food, water and sleep. Food and water provide essential nutrients like glucose, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants which help with cognitive function and mood. Sleep, on the other hand, helps with keeping the brain at rest, which helps with memory consolidation. Some students tend to ignore the simple fact that ignoring proper sleep and nutrition will ultimately lead to the deterioration of their cognition and memory which will in turn make their study sessions useless.

Smart Fix

There are several ‘superfoods’ that can be beneficial during the exam season. For example: Nuts and seeds are rich in healthy fats which help with memory. Blueberries improve blood flow to the brain and promote nerve cell production and learning. In regards to sleep, studies recommend 8 hours each day in order to keep the brain’s performance at an optimum level (Alnawwar, 2023). 

Read More: Examination Anxiety: One of the biggest issues for students

3. Anxiety

Problem

Since the student population is quite young, anxiety-related issues are very prevalent especially when it comes to examinations. This issue is present both while preparing for the exam and attempting it. It can be severely detrimental as anxiety affects performance in a negative manner where nervousness gets the better of the student. Most of these cases remain unresolved which in extreme cases can lead to suicidal thoughts. The country of India is often nicknamed as the ‘student suicide capital’ of the world. It is no surprise that this is the case since the number of mental health professionals is scarce and mental health problems are always on the rise. 

Smart Fix

To start with, meditation and relaxation techniques like deep breathing are extremely useful in keeping the mind stable and at ease. These are essentials for students of every age group. In cases where the issue is a little too serious, professional counsellors should be contacted who are equipped to deal with high anxiety. Interventions are extremely necessary to keep such students healthy and most importantly ‘alive’. If counselling doesn’t help, psychiatrists can be consulted for medication which has a proven track record of being an effective intervention for cases of anxiety. 

Read More: 10 Effective Strategies to Battle Procrastination, According to Psychology

4. Procrastination

Problem

Delaying work for some other time is a huge issue among students. It has several reasons behind it. Some face the fear of failure so they postpone the task which serves as a defence mechanism. Others are occupied with the idea of perfectionism where a task has to be worked upon in a ‘perfect’ manner otherwise it won’t be worth it. A large syllabus can also be a factor as a monumental task often brings along procrastination because of its magnitude. 

Smart Fix

Several solutions are available for this issue. Students can start by breaking down the goal into smaller parts. For example, if the syllabus contains 12 big topics, we can break it down into 36 smaller parts where each topic has 3 sections. Each section can be worked on for a day. This will help the student in covering the syllabus in a month or so. Another thing that can help is setting deadlines. Having a deadline creates a sense of urgency in our brain which in turn helps us with completing the said task. 

Read more: Academic Pressure and Its Effect on The Mental Health of Students

5. Poor Studying Habits

Problem

Most students rely on re-reading when it comes to studying and memorising stuff. This is a highly ineffective strategy as our brain organises information differently Cramming a lot of information at the same time doesn’t lead to retention in the long term. Moreover, re-reading stuff doesn’t help with applying the knowledge in an exam. 

Smart Fix

Use active, research-based learning strategies to overcome unproductive study habits. Active recall is one of the best techniques; testing yourself on important ideas improves memory and highlights areas where you need to improve. To improve understanding and make connections between new and existing knowledge, combine this with elaborative interrogation by posing “why” enquiries.

Use spaced repetition to space out study sessions across time rather than cramming. Reviews can be scheduled at the best intervals for long-term retention with the use of apps like Anki. Chunking information into smaller groupings, like dividing difficult subjects into digestible chunks, is consistent with the brain’s innate ability to process information.

Read More: Strategies for Creating Positive Learning Environments in Classroom

6. Parental Expectations

Problem

Exam results might be significantly impacted by parental expectations. Students’ anxiety increases with the amount of pressure they experience. By comparing their children to their peers, demanding high marks, or linking academic achievement to self-worth, many parents unintentionally put too much pressure on their kids. Such pressure frequently leads to procrastination, exhaustion, and a fear of failing—all of which hurt academic achievement and mental health. Students may feel caught between their own goals and their parents’ expectations as a result, which lowers intrinsic motivation and creates a vicious cycle of stress and shame. Over time, the pressure weakens the student’s confidence and harms parent-child relationships.

Quick Fix

To reduce parental expectations, frank communication is also necessary. For the parents to comprehend the student’s perspective, students should speak with them about their sentiments and academic objectives. In the meanwhile, parents ought to place more emphasis on work and progress rather than merely outcomes. To adopt a growth mentality, which views obstacles as opportunities rather than threats, one should commend perseverance and hard work.

Parents might also benefit from family counselling or positive parenting classes that help them strike a balance between emotional support and expectations. By matching parental objectives with the student’s aptitudes and interests, a healthy atmosphere that promotes self-assurance, drive, and performance while maintaining mental health can be established.

Read More: Academic Pressure on Higher Studies and its Impact on Students Mental Health

7. Lacking Motivation

Problem

Students who experience extreme stress and overwork to the point of physical and mental depletion develop this issue. It frequently happens to students who are preparing for a test, especially those who study excessively without receiving adequate sleep. Loss of motivation, difficulty focusing, impatience, and even bodily issues like headaches or exhaustion are some of the symptoms.

Burnout causes worry and a sense of powerlessness, which have an impact on their mental health in addition to their academic performance. Sometimes, students believe they are locked in a never-ending cycle of overwork and fear that taking a vacation will cause them to fall further behind, thus continuing the pattern. Burnout will eventually erode their self-esteem and enthusiasm for studying, which will have a detrimental effect on their academic performance and personal growth.

Quick Fix

Finding balance is essential to preventing burnout. Exams are vital, but so is your physical and emotional well. Make a study schedule at the outset that incorporates frequent breaks. The Pomodoro method, which involves studying for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break, is an excellent strategy. This avoids overdoing it and keeps your mind active.

Remember the fundamentals: get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise. These may sound like standard advice, but they are revolutionary. When the brain gets enough sleep, it becomes more retentive and sharper. While exercise improves mood and lowers stress, balanced meals provide energy to concentrate on tasks. A little stroll can do wonders.

Read More: 9 Psychology Backed Tips for Acing Exams

8. Ignoring Past Papers

Problem

Not using previous exam papers is one of the biggest blunders students make when studying for tests. These are a wealth of information; they outline the format of the test, typical questions, and the level of difficulty of the questions. However, the majority of students disregard them, either because they don’t think they’re important enough or because they don’t think they have enough time. The learner becomes unprepared for the format and format of the questions he would encounter in actual exams if he disregards previous papers. Even if the subject was thoroughly studied, a student may become confused and afraid when faced with real exam questions if they haven’t practised in exam settings. 

Smart Fix

Making good use of previous exams can change the approach to preparation. First, gather a few years’ worth of papers related to your subject or syllabus. Use these as tools to learn how examiners think as well as to test your knowledge. To begin, check over each question paper to see if there are any trends in the types of questions asked. This could make it easier to focus on that subject during preparation by revealing why particular topics are frequently brought up or what kinds of concepts are commonly assessed in various question types.

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9. Overloading with Resources

Problem

Since information is the foundation of the world, most students find that there are too many resources available to them when they are studying for tests. There is an astounding amount of content available, ranging from textbooks and class notes to online lectures, applications, and YouTube tutorials. Although having a lot of study resources is beneficial, there are situations when having too many can lead to confusion, time waste, and lack of focus.

To get the “best” explanation for each issue, many students tend to switch between many sites. However, this switching dilutes preparation work, loses track of crucial points, and wastes a lot of time. These pupils typically only skim the surface of a vast amount of stuff without truly grasping it, rather than mastering the subject.

Smart Fix

Establish clear objectives for each study session after you’ve decided on your core resources. For example, rather than deciding nebulously that you want to “study chemistry,” focus on finishing one chapter of your class notes and resolving five related problems from a textbook.

This will help you stay on track and minimise the need to look into unrelated resources. Use supplemental resources sparingly. While online videos or apps can help clear up concepts you don’t understand, they shouldn’t be used in place of your primary study materials. Set aside specific time to use these additional resources to avoid getting sucked into the never-ending tutorial rabbit hole.

Read More: We all need to (and can) get back on our feet after facing an Academic Failure

10. Fear of failure

Problem

Nearly all students have experienced fear of failing at some point. To put it another way, it’s the depressing sense that everything will fall apart when you perform poorly—your parents may not be happy with you, your classmates may criticise you, and your aspirations for the future may even appear unattainable. This can become very overwhelming for some people, making tests something to be feared rather than something to be conquered. The intense pressure to succeed frequently feeds this worry. A student’s mind may be overburdened with expectations from parents, professors, or even self-imposed objectives. Pupils may associate their grades with their sense of self-worth, thinking that a low mark indicates a lack of skill or character. 

Smart Fix

Modify your perspective on tests. Don’t think of them as a “do or die” scenario. Try to view them as educational opportunities. Making mistakes or failing does not mean that your journey is over; rather, it enables you to recognise areas for improvement. Instead of thinking “I have to succeed,” try thinking “I will do my best and learn from the experience.” Begin modestly. Divide your course material into digestible chunks and establish reasonable daily objectives. Over time, it boosts your confidence and gives you a sense of progress. For instance, it is a success if you can finish the two topics you set out to do today. 

Read More: Examination Anxiety, a Myth or Reality?

Conclusion

These 10 problems cover a wide range of issues that students tend to face nowadays. The world we live in right now is complicated beyond what humans can comprehend, to say the least. It is important to acknowledge that it is more difficult than ever to get ahead in the world because of the fierce competition around us. However, another true thing is that keeping oneself healthy in the body and the mind is the way to go when it comes to the adage “you are your own worst enemy” is timeless.

While you’re encouraging yourself to put in more effort, revise more, and perform better, everyone else is probably telling you that you can only give it your all. We want to be clear that setting high standards for yourself is perfectly OK as long as you remember to give yourself some leeway if things don’t work out. If you find yourself considering school to be solely an educational institution, bear the following points in mind: Extreme work isn’t productive. Research has demonstrated that a fully functioning brain needs breaks during the revision process.

Sometimes the best course of action is to go away from your computer, go outside, watch a movie, or do anything else that will momentarily divert your attention from your work if you’re looking at your notes blankly and fretting about how exam day will go.

Treat yourself with compassion; if you find yourself putting things off or avoiding editing, it doesn’t imply you’re failing. Procrastination may indicate that the pressure to succeed is getting to you. When you’re having trouble staying focused, even ten minutes of revising is a victory.

Read More: Struggles Faced By Students While Preparing For Competitive Exams

Try to take tiny steps towards your goal. You deserve congratulations. Don’t let it go if you’ve had a successful revision session or a better exam round than the last. Give yourself a treat and take a moment to celebrate. Have a backup plan. How can I perform well on tests? Be ready for anything. It’s acceptable if things don’t work out as planned. The world won’t end because of it. You can choose to change your life plan entirely or retake your tests. You just need to get over this difficult phase first. The future will be bright.