If you’ve ever felt that mix of nervousness + overthinking + blank mind before or during exams, trust me—you’re not alone. I’ve been through it.
Here’s what actually helped me:
Deep Breathing & Box Breathing (4-4-4-4 method)
I used this every morning and right before exams. It instantly helped slow down my racing thoughts.
Smart Study Schedules
Instead of cramming everything last minute, I followed a “2-hour + break” cycle and focused only on the high-yield units.
Background Music for Focus
Lo-fi music or instrumental study beats helped me avoid distractions and stay immersed while studying.
Phone Lock Apps (Forest, Stay Focused)
Helped me stay off Instagram/YouTube during study time.
Talking It Out
Even a 5-minute pep talk with a friend or senior helped me calm down and regain confidence. Support matters!
What do you do when anxiety kicks in during exam time? Do you have a favorite routine, meditation trick, or playlist? Let’s share and help each other prepare mentally and emotionally for exams!
Exam anxiety is a common fear for every students here a simple techniques should follow to stay calm . Deep breathing techniques helps to stay calm and reduces stress . Medication helps to recall the content.make a schedule for studying take a break main and important thing is healthy life style during exam days healthy food and good health plays a vital role
During my university days, whenever exam anxiety used to impact me, I found comfort in creating a mini calm corner in my hostel room like a clean and organized study table, warm light, a open window, a familiar smell of sandalwood/jasmine incense stick. Box breathing definitely helps in calming the mind, but that time I wasn’t aware of it much. During the stressful moments that time, I have preferred to listen to soft instrumental rain/nature (forest)/bird sounds, that made me less overwhelmed and it also helped me in distracting my mind.
@Nikita21 same here , I think for me the pressure to do well in exam motivates me. It increases my focus and then I can study with full concentration without any disturbance.
Exam anxiety is real and tough especially in healthcare studies. What truly helped me was carving out a calm morning ritual before study sessions: a quick deep-breathing exercise, a brief walk outside, and a glass of water. It helped reset my mindset and improve focus.
Also, spacing out study blocks with short breaks helped avoid burnout. When anxiety did peek through, a quick distraction like listening to favorite music or stretching was surprisingly effective.
It’s not about high-tech fixes it’s often the little routines that steady us the most.
When exam anxiety hits, I usually take a short break and then break my study material into smaller and manageable portions. A calming playlist in the background also helps me focus without feeling overwhelmed.
Exam anxiety is for real. Whenever I feel like this, I take short breaks and try to calm myself by listening to music and then again start reading and revising the topic.
This piece offers practical, student-friendly strategies for managing exam anxiety, presented in a clear and organised manner. The points are concise, relatable, and backed by realistic examples like mock practice and healthy sleep. It balances mental and physical well-being tips, making it genuinely useful. While simple, it effectively addresses common exam challenges and promotes self-confidence, which is valuable for learners. Overall, a well-structured and helpful guide for students under pressure.
I still get goosebumps how i reacted during my first university i was far away from my hometown without my parents staying in the hostel . I felt alone and it triggered me during my exams i got anxiety and panic attacks even i decided not to appear for the exam behalf i prepared well but anxiety triggered a lot . My seniors calm down me they suggested to listen music and deep breathing method and motivated me during the exams and given smart schedule tricks to write the exam . I am really very grateful and thankful to them for their kindness and support ..
I’ve also found that short breaks, deep breathing, and keeping my phone away really help calm exam anxiety. Talking to a friend or just reminding yourself that you’ve prepared can make a huge difference too.
During my exam time, I have peaked my study time in my most optimum zone. For some it is morning, for some it is during day time and for others it is night time. I mainly focused on high yielding topic. It helps me to get more confidence after completing high yielding topics and reduces my overthinking about exam.
My take on exam anxiety time is mostly the discussion with my best friend where we both explain our understanding of the concepts to each other and in a way, feel more confident and prepared for the exam.
This post is super relatable, especially for students like us. That mix of anxiety and blank mind before exams is real. I’ve also tried box breathing it really helps to calm down quickly. Study breaks and lo-fi music make a big difference in staying focused. I use Forest too, and it’s great for avoiding distractions. Talking to a friend before exams gives me a boost of confidence. Mental prep is just as important as studying. Thanks for sharing these helpful tips
Exam anxiety is most common problem everyone face be it a topper or average student. I believe proper sleep before exams and no. of revision can reduce the fear and keep one mind calm.
I usually go for a quick jog/run , with blasting music through headphones, i think the adrenaline and dopamine kicks it , an thenI am on to study, Do try it out