How to Overcome Exam Anxiety Before WAEC & NECO

1. Recognize the Signs of Exam Anxiety

Anxiety manifests in various ways and understanding these signals can help you address them before they escalate. 

Common physical symptoms include a racing heartbeat, sweaty palms, dry mouth, or even a tight feeling in your chest. 

Mentally, you can notice racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, or the feeling that your mind is blanking when you try to recall information. 

Emotionally, feelings of dread, frustration, or being overwhelmed are often linked to exam anxiety, noting these signs allows you to take early action, such as practicing relaxation techniques or breaking down your study sessions into manageable chunks, to reduce the impact of anxiety. 

Recognizing these symptoms isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s an opportunity to take control of your emotions and create a more focused, calm state of mind.

2. Plan a Reliable Study Schedule

When preparing for WAEC and NECO, it’s easy to feel stressed by the amount of material you need to cover. However, a well-structured plan can help you stay organized and focused. 

Start by breaking your study sessions into smaller, manageable blocks, allocating specific times for each subject based on its difficulty and your comfort level.

Be realistic about your study goals, and include regular breaks to prevent burnout, prioritize areas where you need the most improvement, but also make sure to review what you already know. 

Stick to your schedule as much as possible, and don’t forget to factor in time for rest and relaxation. With a plan in place, you feel more in control, reduce last-minute rush, and approach your exams with a calm and prepared mindset.

3. Avoid Negative Self-Talk and Build Confidence

Negative self-talk can be one of the biggest barriers to overcoming exam anxiety. 

It’s easy to fall into the trap of doubting your abilities, telling yourself things like, “I’m not ready,” or “I’ll fail.” 

This kind of thinking only fuels anxiety and undermines your efforts. 

Instead, focus on positive affirmations and remind yourself of your progress, when you find yourself thinking negatively, challenge those thoughts and replace them with more supportive ones, such as, “I’ve studied hard, and I’m capable of doing well.” 

Building confidence starts with shifting your mindset, trusting in your preparation and giving yourself credit for the work you’ve put in. 

When you approach exams with a positive, encouraging inner dialogue, you not only reduce anxiety but also perform at your best.

4. Engage in Regular Physical Exercise

Exercise helps reduce stress by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural mood boosters, which can leave you feeling calmer and more focused. 

This physical activity also improves blood circulation, which enhances brain function, allowing you to think more clearly and retain information better.

Incorporating activities like walking, jogging, or yoga into your routine can increase your energy levels, reduce fatigue, and even improve your sleep quality, all of which are essential for optimal exam performance.

Exercise also promotes a sense of accomplishment, boosting your mental clarity, which can help you tackle your studies with a fresh and focused mindset. 

Regular physical activity provides a natural way to manage exam stress while supporting your overall well-being, so you can approach your exams with a clearer and sharper mind.

5. Take Healthy and Balanced Diets 

The foods you eat directly impact your energy levels, mood, and cognitive function, all of which are essential for peak performance during WAEC and NECO. 

Focus on incorporating nutrient-dense foods that provide long-lasting energy, such as grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. 

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods like fish and nuts, are particularly beneficial for brain health and concentration. 

Avoid heavy, sugary foods that can cause energy crashes or contribute to feelings of sluggishness, staying hydrated is just as important; dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating.

A balanced diet helps you maintain steady energy throughout the day, boosts your mental clarity, and supports your overall well-being, ensuring you’re in the best possible shape to perform your best during exams.

6. Get Adequate Sleep Before the Exams

While it can seem tempting to stay up late cramming or reading, lack of sleep can actually hinder your ability to recall information and concentrate. 

Sleep plays a key role in memory consolidation, which is essential for retaining what you’ve studied. 

A full night of rest allows your brain to process and organize information, making it easier to recall during the exam. 

Additionally, sleep restores your energy levels, improves mood, and reduces stress, all of which are crucial for staying calm and focused. 

Aim for 6-8 hours of sleep each night, especially in the days leading up to the exam. 

Note that a well-rested mind is sharper, more efficient, and less likely to experience anxiety, so prioritizing sleep ensures you approach your exams feeling refreshed, alert, and ready to perform your best.

7. Practice with Past Questions to Boost Familiarity

When you repeatedly work through previous exams, you become more comfortable with the types of questions that can appear, as well as the time constraints and the structure of the exam. 

This familiarity helps eliminate the fear of the unknown, which is often a significant source of anxiety.

The more you practice, the more confident you become in your ability to tackle different question styles, identify key topics, and manage your time effectively. 

Using past questions helps you identify any gaps in your knowledge, giving you a clear focus for your remaining study sessions. 

The sense of preparation that comes with practicing past questions can calm your nerves, making you feel more equipped and in control when exam day arrives.

8. Seek Support from Teachers, Friends, or Family

Reaching out for support from teachers, friends, or family can significantly ease the burden of exam anxiety. 

When you talk to someone, it helps release pent-up stress and makes you feel understood. 

Teachers can offer valuable academic support by clarifying challenging topics and guiding you on effective study techniques, giving you a clearer path forward. 

Friends and family can offer emotional support, helping you stay motivated and reminding you that it’s okay to ask for help. 

Their encouragement can help you refocus, especially during moments of doubt, and reinforce your self-belief. 

Knowing that others are there to support you provides comfort, reducing feelings of isolation and making the exam process feel more manageable. 

Sharing your worries helps alleviate anxiety, enabling you to approach your preparation with a composed mindset and renewed energy.

Call to Action

To further manage exam anxiety and set yourself up for success, consider these additional strategies:

• Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to calm your mind.
• Set achievable goals each day to stay motivated and track your progress.
• Avoid last-minute cramming by reviewing material well in advance.
• Use positive visualization to picture yourself succeeding during the exam.
• Stay organized by keeping all your study materials and notes in one place.
• Limit distractions during study time to maintain focus and improve productivity.
• Reward yourself with small breaks or treats after completing study sessions to stay motivated.