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Exams
Jan 28, 2004 13:04:59 GMT -5
Post by Jarous on Jan 28, 2004 13:04:59 GMT -5
Hi, this year I am finishing my secondary school (I think the equivalent of US highschool) and trying to get to the university. I am not looking forward to any of these. Everyone says the final exams are going to be a piece of cake, university entry exams's what I should worry about. I don't think so. I am confident (sounds weird, doesn't it) I can pass the university entries - they are written. The finals are oral. I fear, no - I know, I'll just end standing before the teachers blushing and sweating, focusing on my breathing and not on what I should be saying - in short I'll fail. I dread most the literature and english (foreign lg for me) part - you're expected to comment on self-explanatory pictures or or similar superficial crap...
I'd like to hear about your oral exam experience - particularly about something of real consequence - like finals. Thanks.
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Exams
Feb 2, 2004 19:17:10 GMT -5
Post by Nicole on Feb 2, 2004 19:17:10 GMT -5
I'm the same way. There really is no "cure," unfortunately, but it does get easier over time.
If the physical symptoms (blushing, trembling, etc.) interfere with your performance that much, you might want to talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for Propranolol. It's a beta-blocker commonly used to treat high blood pressure, but it's also prescribed for performance anxiety. For example, concert pianists sometimes take it before they perform so their hands won't shake. You take it an hour before your performance, and it lasts a couple hours after that. It doesn't take away your nervousness or your anxiety, and it doesn't effect your mood or your mental ability. It just controls physical symptoms. It helps me quite a bit - it stops me from blushing, it slows my racing heartbeat, etc. I'm glad I discovered it!
Most people can take it, but you can't if you have diabetes, asthma, or congestive heart failure. Check with your doctor!
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Exams
Feb 2, 2004 20:27:18 GMT -5
Post by tokkie on Feb 2, 2004 20:27:18 GMT -5
Oral exams are a horror. I almost quit in my first year at varsity because they told us our final exams in the third year would be oral! It is true though that it gets better over time. In my instance I'd say I got used to the fear(!) but I've also made a point of reminding myself that it is not a crime to be anxious and to show it.
Remember that the teachers have seen it before. You will not be the first shy student to ever do an oral before them - even if you think you are - and they do not care how much you blush or how squeaky your voice sounds. It is really the same as the written exams: provided they can read your handwriting, they do not really care whether it is 'good' or not, they are interested in the content.
When I started blushing, I took a second to accept the fact. It is after all only a blush. Practice it during the year. Say to yourself "I'm blushing 'cos I'm nervous and now the person I'm talking to also knows I'm nervous. There is nothing wrong with being nervous, so I'll just go on doing what I'm doing and being nervous at the same time." If you can get to the point where you accept the nervousness, you can stop yourself from going into that terrible loop where you blush 'cos you're blushing 'cos you're nervous and you can't wrench your mind away from the fact.
My physical manefestation is my breathing and voice. The moment I realize my throat is getting tight and my voice starts to squeak, I take a deep breath, make peace with the anxiety and squeak on. Usually it settles down then, but even if it doesn't I'm not consiously focusing on it and it makes my performance better. Even in English, which is my second language.
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Exams
Feb 3, 2004 13:27:50 GMT -5
Post by Jarous on Feb 3, 2004 13:27:50 GMT -5
Oh, I don't want to take pills for the rest of my life.
Moreover if I took them and passed the exams I'd feel like I had cheated. On the contrary, if I don't take them and pass, that'd be a wonderful feeling.
As for the teachers, they've known me for eight years, I don't think they'll be surprised.
Also I've found I feel terrible (blushing, sweating, palpitations) only for a coupe of minutes. If I stay long enough to 'aclimatise' I can almost certainly continue without trouble. Hope I'll do it.
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