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7 Test-Anxiety Solutions (Counter the fear of exams)

Aditya Shukla, Psychologist, Cognition Today

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Smell Good

Fragrances have an anti-anxiety effect. You can use fragrant body washes and perfumes to stay calm during an exam.

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Lucky Charms

Although they seem superstitious, the mind tends to believe in stories even if they aren't real. Having an object that makes you feel good because of its history/story can prevent test anxiety.

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Earthy/Nature/Floral clothes

"Biophilia" the name given to our inner tendency to connect to nature can reduce anxiety and stress. Nature calms us. Clothes that trigger "nature" feelings can help indirectly.

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Pretend you are Batman

Thinking you are "batman" or any other superhero with intelligence, can make you adopt that hero's characteristics and improve your cognitive performance.

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Improve posture

An erect posture, while sitting or standing, has shown to be improve mood, increase confidence, and also improve alertness.

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Trust System 1 thinking

System 1 thinking is based on feelings and quick judgments. If you have studied a lot, go with your gut feeling because your system 1 thinking will mostly point you toward things you already know by heart. In this case, system 2 thinking is slow and deliberate - sometimes, overthinking.

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Stretch your body

Stretching helps to reduce the tension in the body. An anxious mind doesn't stay anxious in a relaxed body, especially if the body is forced to relax.