My mother, father and I are sitting in the waiting room of the psychiatrist where I came to be examined. My mom's; After saying "I hope it's not too late to see a psychiatrist", I realize that I'm even more worried. My father is calmer, but his disappointment is evident in his eyes. What brought me here is what I experienced before and during the exam. Do I need to talk about what happened next, but it's always the same result... "Failure". Even before a simple trial exam, I hear my heartbeat in my ears. What happened after the exam started was worse... I'm having a hard time remembering what I know while trying to concentrate. I experience numbness in my head, nausea and sometimes even vomiting, and tremors in my hands. I even had to leave the exam once because I couldn't hold my pen. This year I will take the university exam for the third time. The first thing that crossed my mind was the thought that I would not succeed again… In fact, I have always been a hard-working student. I make time to study. I also get support from my parents. They often say that they did their best and the rest is up to me. They think I will do my best. Just like my brother... My brother got into the university after his first exam. There was a festive atmosphere at home the day he entered the faculty of dentistry. They expected the same success from me, but it didn't happen. I think I am a burden to my family now. I haven't talked to them yet, but as a result of the upcoming exam, I will go to whichever department. All I know is that I don't want to experience the same thing again...
Exam anxiety is characterized by a number of physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms that occur before and during the exam. In this disorder, which often causes the student to underachieve, the individual's mind is preoccupied with the worry of whether he or she will succeed. Due to these thoughts, palpitations, increased respiratory rate, tremors in the hands, coldness in the hands and feet, impaired bowel movements, constipation or diarrhea, anxiety-vomiting, and in addition to these physical symptoms, headache, sleep and eating disorders occur. Along with anxiety and worry, difficulty concentrating, pauses in thoughts, and irritability may occur. “In which individuals does test anxiety occur and what are the reasons?” The answer to the question should be answered primarily by the student. determines how it is perceived and interpreted. Perceiving the exam as a threat to oneself and seeing it as a threat increases the level of anxiety. However, the prophecy comes true when parents and teachers expect high academic success and give negative and critical feedback, do not evaluate the individual's personal and family qualities, talents, study and time management skills, inadequate study habits, and frequent activation of thoughts of failure and inadequacy. Thoughts are blocked by the effect of anxiety, questions are read incorrectly, and attention is distracted. If anxiety cannot be managed, there will be a decline in the student's academic success. The individual performs below his/her performance and his career choice may be affected later in life. The important thing here is to find the cause of the anxiety and produce a specific solution. It is important to understand what the individual is experiencing before and during the exam, to investigate the existence of other areas of concern, to question the availability of family, friend and teacher support, and to eliminate any stress factors he is exposed to. Parents have some responsibilities when trying to cope with test anxiety. You know that you know your child best. Instead of waiting for perfection, focusing on which way will make him/her happier can make your job easier. To increase his motivation to study, try to understand where he is having difficulty. Comparing your child's success with the success of other students around you, or with the success of children of friends and relatives, will further increase his/her anxiety and demotivate him. If you think your child spends too much time in front of the television, phone and computer, first examine how much time you spend on them. Choosing positive feedback instead of negative criticism and making him/her feel that you are by his/her side no matter what will help him/her feel confident.
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