Dear student let’s play it cool, and try to get you out of this rut.

First of all, WHAT TYPE OF STUDENT ARE YOU?

• Are you the SELF-INDULGENT STUDENT ?

Do you shirk off responsibility or are you over-confident?

Are you lazy and is your frustration tolerance low?

Do you have escapist tendencies?

Do you require a stimulus to raise anxiety (e.g. when approaching deadline)?

• Are you the TENSE AND FEARFUL STUDENT?

Do you have a low self-esteem?

Are you overwhelmed by the importance of exams?

Do you tend to be self-critical?

• Are you the PERFECTIONIST STUDENT?

Do you set impossible goals and so never feel good or safe enough?

Are you always critical of the system, the curriculum, your tutor, etc.?

Do you want to be totally in control and deny vulnerability?

Do you have workaholic tendencies or do you tend to procrastinate?

Now that you know more or less what type of student you are, it’s good to know that

ANXIETY MANAGEMENT may be:

• COGNITIVE – you are to face your fears with constructive self-talk.

• BEHAVIOURAL – you are to devise and stick to an effective study programme, which is also to include time for recreational and physical needs.

• EMOTIONAL – you are to contain your fears through more insight and foresight. You are to use appropriate self-monitoring, distraction and relaxation strategies.

Naturally to eliminate anxiety this is just not good enough. Any student is to be aware of EXAM STRATEGIES.

You have to be  ORGANIZED

• Use your time wisely. When you are less alert or focused, deal with less demanding tasks.

• Sort out your topics for revision. Base selections on guidelines suggested by tutors and predictions derived from past papers.

• Pay attention to diet, sleep and recreation and keep stress levels under control.

• Study periods are to include rest intervals.

• Breakdown targets into manageable units that are realistic and achievable.

• Maximize your learning. The more you actively interact with the subject matter, making it your own and linking it to previous knowledge, the more meaningful it will become.

Learn how to eliminate anxiety and panic attacks for good