Preparing for the Higher Secondary Board exam, better known as the 12th board exam, can be a challenging time for students. The pressure is on to perform well in an exam that has a large say in the outcome of the rest of your life. It’s easy for students to feel negative about the exam due to its daunting nature. However, if you are to pass these exams, positivity can spell the difference between success and failure. So what’s the secret to keeping a positive mindset during exam preparation? Here are some of our best tips to ensure you’re in the right frame of mind:
Reflect on your good performances
Many students often fixate on poor performances, more so if the most recent runup of results leading up to the exam is not very good. However, doing so can only build more self-doubt, and even hinder your ability to recollect what you already know.
To avoid that, it’s important to build positivity by reflecting on good performances you’ve had in the past. These types of results prove that you have the ability to pass the exam, of course, if you exert yourself to put in the extra time and effort necessary.
In particular, here’s some food for thought when revisiting your academic successes:
- Think about what you did that worked for you during that time
- Recollect the challenges you phased during this period
- Consider what you could have done better to improve
- Finally, put everything into action to replicate that success
Good past performances prove that you can always succeed at anything you put your mind to. On the flip side, poor performances should also serve as a motivation for what you did wrong that you should work on leading to the 12th board exam.
Don’t get obsessed with comparisons
A key part of maintaining a positive attitude while studying is focusing on yourself. Sure, you may have classmates who are better than you at various subjects or topics, and you may wish to be just like them.
That is inherently not a bad thing because it can inspire you to work harder. However, it can also be a double-edged sword in that it can lead to frustration if you give it too much thought. You may put yourself down or even become angry that you’re “not good enough.”
Consequently, it’s best to focus more on yourself. Instead of comparing your performance to that of your classmates, try to measure up against versions of yourself. Always strive to be better than you were in a previous test, rather than trying to be better than someone else.
Here are a few more tips on how to avoid examination peer pressure:
- Avoid putting yourself in pressure zones
- Don’t try to overachieve with results or studying. Slow and steady wins the race
- Find positive role models to keep you positively inspired
Talk to past students for motivation
Countless individuals have taken the Higher Secondary School Board Exam, and the majority of them have passed with flying colors. Take comfort in the knowledge that many students, some with abilities far below yours, have passed and so you should have no trouble following in their footsteps.
Moreover, sit down with a student who has successfully passed the 12th Board exam so that you can be encouraged by them. If you don’t know anyone in your family who has done the test, expand your horizon to your neighbors, your schoolmates, their social circles, and so on.
Get to know the experience, right from the horse’s mouth if you can. Most of the time though, past students will tell you that it’s all in your head and there’s usually nothing grave to worry about.
Exercise to expel stress
According to recent research, close to 50% of students are stressed because of examinations and studying. The pressure to perform well can weigh heavy on your shoulders and thus even affect your ability to study effectively.
Exercise becomes very important in coping with stress during board exam preparation. It can provide an avenue to let off some steam or help you relax. Here are four ways physical activity can take the edge off this pressure:
- Exercise encourages the production of feel-good hormones that increase motivation
- It can enhance memory retention through mood elevator hormones
- Exercise can sharpen concentration and focus
Therefore, instead of spending time scrolling on your phone during your study breaks, relax by taking part in sports to reset your mind. This will help you stay positive and healthy, both physically and mentally.
Set clear and realistic goals
Did you know that not setting goals can not only kill your motivation but also increase your chances of failure? A recent study established that you’re 10X more likely to achieve your objectives if you set goals toward them.
Not having goals can make you feel overwhelmed by your preparations. It becomes hard to gauge progress and can be further devastated by a lack of structure which can make studying haphazard and consequently ineffective and demoralizing.
If you’re keen to crack how to stay motivated during exam preparation, it’s best to start by first being clear with your goals and how you want to achieve them. Write them down on paper because you’re 300% more likely to succeed with written goals than unwritten ones.
When coming up with studying goals, be sure to be really specific, down to what you want to achieve for a particular study area during a particular day. Of course, a detailed timetable is also essential as a result.
Believe in yourself!
There’s one adage I’d like you to keep in mind: “whether you think you cannot or think you can- you’re absolutely right!” In other words, success comes to positive-minded students who believe in themselves. Believe that you can and you most certainly will. Do not and you most certainly won’t. Of course, faith without action is dead. You also need to put in enough time and effort to prepare for your board exam early so you’re not blindsided by last-minute revisions. Put together a positive mindset during exam preparation, as well as a positive work rate, and your board exam will be a piece of cake.