Deadlines are getting closer every day, which means that the terror and anxiety are only increasing. There is very little time left for preparation, and there are many students who may not have studied as thoroughly as they should have. I mean, i certainly missed some important lectures and seminars a fair few times, but weâve all been there right? 
So, if youâve found yourself in the same place, you may be wondering what to do in such a situation? It is already clear, that we need to start preparing for exams and courseworks ASAP. But how to cope with all the stress, regrets, and, most importantly, fear of these deadlines approaching?
First of all, what fears haunt students?
In order to understand how to deal with fears, you first need to determine which fears prevent you from successfully coping with the deadlines:
It is impossible to prepare in such a short time
This is a fear (or even a prejudice) that you need to get rid of first. We have all heard hundreds of stories of students who didnât prepare or remembered and prepared in just a couple of weeks prior to the deadlines â but this didnât prevent them from getting a high score and getting the job of their dreams. Such stories do not mean that you do not need to prepare at all. They only show that long and diligent preparation doesnât always guarantee successful passing of the exam.
I wonât be able to learn everything
At the first glance at the exam questions and essay topics, the amount of work ahead may look really frightening. You need to endure these few minutes of anxiety and turn on logic: look at the task objectively, highlight your weaknesses and strengths, evaluate your own strength and gradually begin to prepare, without thinking about the amount of material you need to study.
Iâll get nervous at the exam and I wonât remember anything (for those of us who unfortunately have these)
This happens, but itâs more of a âone in a millionâ kind of a scenario. Yes, most likely, in the first minutes you will panic and you will be very nervous, but then your mind will be clear again, and you will be able to calmly start solving the tasks in front of you.
I will not pass the exam
Hmm, there must be a good reason for such a fear to appear. Think about it, who told you that? The fear of not passing the exam is usually unfounded. Look for the source and when you realize that you have no objective reason to think so, relax. Every student is able to pass the exam â itâs only a question of desire and your goals. And if anything, it wonât be the end of the world anyway - as, as annoying as they are, resits are always available.
How to deal with such fears?
Of course, you canât live with such fears all the time â if you donât learn how to interact with them now, they will haunt you for the rest of your life. Sounds scary, right? âWhat if I donât get in?â, âWhat if I donât get this job?â, âWhat if his/her parents donât like me?â â fears accumulate like a snowball, and begin to eat you from the inside, not allowing you to live in peace and move towards your dreams. How can we overcome them and continue to move forward?
Act
You just need to take your mind off your fear for a second, concentrate on the task that youâre facing, and take a step towards its resolution. Gradually study the theory practise â the more you do it, the better you will get, which means that confidence in yourself and your abilities will increase.
Plan
Estimate how much time is left before the exam and how much work you have to do. Try to break big and scary tasks into small portions that you will complete with ease and pleasure. This will help you see your progress and your own successes, and also will allow you to stay motivated. Make a clear plan of small steps before you reach the goal and stick to it â let the cherished âtickâ in the to-do list become your daily joy.
Rehearse
Are you afraid of an exam or a test? So go for it right now. Sign up for a test or arrange an exam rehearsal right at home. You can print out forms, set a timer, put away the phone and notes â in general, create an environment resembling an examination space. So you will mentally prepare for what awaits you at the exam, and at the same time test your knowledge.
Accept
Perhaps this advice will only make you more nervous at first, but it will help. Imagine the worst that could happen. No, really, imagine you didnât pass the exam â so what? Imagine how you tell your parents about this, how you cry in your room, how you listen to teachersâ complaints and give up your dream of getting a perfect job. And then, just calm down. Well, you didnât pass the exam, but the world remained the same. You are still you, and our planet is still orbiting the Sun. Your family and friends are with you. Itâs all good.
Get into the right mindset
Tune in to the best and remember that most of the problems exist only in our heads. Try to find an exciting way to prepare, do not forget to relax and have fun, pretend that this exam does not mean anything. You just decided to test your knowledge and, as soon as you see confirmation of your own genius, you will proudly start looking for a perfect graduate job. Everything will be fine, donât even doubt it.