How do I deal with exam anxiety?
A little excitement can improve your performance during an exam, but if your nervousness turns into anxiety it can affect your performance badly. Student coach from CBS guides you to what to be aware of, to put your anxiety under control.
| 29. May 2017
For some going to an exam is a piece of cake, for others not so much. Sweaty palms, a heart pounding so hard it’s almost visible from under the t-shirt and the fear of going blank are some of the classic symptoms of exam anxiety.
The causes for exam anxiety can according to an article published by the National Student Counselling Service (Studenterrådgivningen) be linked to some of these things:
- Being generally anxious
- Being poorly prepared
- You’ve had a bad experience in a previous exam
- You’re a perfectionist – anything less than a 12 grade is a failure.
Mette Gøtterup-Tang, student coach at CBS, recommends to think through, why you might experience anxiety up to or during an exam in order to change the outcome to the better.
And there are according to the her and the National Student Counselling Service a lot you can do.
- Make sure to set aside plenty of time for revision and studying and plan it. And make sure to know where you can find additional information about the exam – if needed.
- Learn in advance how to relax. If you begin to feel the panic, you know how to regain control. To learn this you might want to download the app from the Student Counselling Service called “Exam stress” (Eksamenshjælp) from app store or Google play. This app guides you through exercises and give good advice on how to tackle exam anxiety.
- Try to avoid working close to the exam – like the night or morning before. Do something relaxing like going for a walk, have a bath, talk to someone.
- On the day of exam, make yourself comfortable. Wear something nice and comfortable, take a few deep breaths and sighs to release tension. Maybe sit with your eyes closed for a little while.
- Be aware of any negative thoughts and turn them into positive ones. “I can do this.” “I will do my best.”
On the day of exam, it is completely normal to feel the nerves. And it’s a good thing. A slight bit of stress will help you work, think faster and more effectively, and improve your performance, writes the Student Psychological Services at University College London.
So, it’s not all bad with a few butterflies in your stomach. As along, as they don’t fill up the entire body.
When the exam is over with the National Student Counselling Service also advise you to relax.
“Remember to allow yourself to enjoy the fact that the examination is over, and praise yourself for your efforts. Try and take the rest of the day off after the examination – even if a new is approaching,” they write.
Have a nice exam.
-
Layoffs break the crucial trust between organisation and employee
CBS is laying off a number of employees soon, which will affect our university in different ways. When employees are fired without having done anything wrong, it shatters the trust between the organisation and employees, while also taking a toll on productivity, according to a CBS expert. Layoffs also affect the ‘survivors’, who are forced to adapt to a changed workload and the loss of cherished colleagues.
27 Sep 2023
-
Here to help – at the touch of a button and at Campus Desk
Exam anxiety? Lost student card? I’ve wedged my car between a Fiat 500 and a lamp post, can you help? You never know what you’ll be asked next. But that’s just how the Campus Desk team like it. And if they can’t fix your problem, they’ll know someone who can. CBS WIRE asked the team about the whole range of topics they advice on every day.
22 Sep 2023
-
Why so sudden? The CBS financial crisis explained
Employees and union representatives have posed many questions in the wake of the 17 August announcement of a firing round. In this interview, University Director Arnold Boon explains how Senior Management has been working with the budget and a change of financial strategy since the fall of 2022, and why layoffs are now necessary.
11 Sep 2023
-
Here’s what you need to know about the master’s reform
The political parties behind the master’s reform have adjusted their original proposal to shorten or reorganize up to 50 percent of master’s programmes after pressure from CBS and the other Danish universities. Fewer shortened master’s and longer to implement changes are some important revisions to the reform. CBS’ president is pleased that the government and other parties behind the reform have listened to some of the critique given by the universities but raises concern about cutting more study places in bachelor’s programmes.
15 Sep 2023
-
CBS Quiz Time: Unraveling the success story
A successful university environment such as CBS is often associated with academic pursuits, but campus life extends far beyond the classroom. At CBS Quiz Time, a student society motivated by creative thinking and social engagement, students join in a refreshing range of creativity, excitement, and social interaction. CBS WIRE talked to Celine Møller-Andersen to find out about the society’s vision, strategies and the factors that are driving its rapid expansion.
22 Sep 2023
-
-
Uncertain times: Essential for business schools to understand their market
The alliance of European business schools met at CBS in June to enhance recruitment strategies, stay informed on industry trends, and analyse where the global economy is heading. The CBS MBA Programmes shares some key take-aways from Associate Dean and Professor Jesper Rangvid’s presentation.
08 Sep 2023
-
Working hard all summer: Bachelor Admissions
The employees in charge of bachelor admissions at CBS are a small exclusive team. They ensure the validity of diplomas and the fulfilment of entry requirements for bachelor’s degrees at CBS – and, not least, that the applicants get the necessary help to upload the right documentation and find their way around the application procedures.
07 Sep 2023





-
Applying to go on exchange is easier than you think
If you believe that going on exchange is difficult, you might be surprised to learn that there is a space for everyone. Grades and points from extra-curricular activities do matter to some extent, but even with grades at the lower end of the spectrum, an exchange trip is within reach.
18 Nov 2022
-
Stock markets are facing a major challenge: Algorithms
Algorithms have a hold on the stock markets that has fuelled the need for regulation. But how do we regulate what we don’t understand? The second generation of trading algorithms are designing their own investment strategies – and they are so complicated that we are unable to understand them.
12 Sep 2022
-
Assistant Professor: Stress and shame are closely linked – understand why
BOOK REVIEW: Read about new methods for managing stress in working life.
22 Oct 2021
-
How do you research ‘global mobility’ during a pandemic when travel is highly restricted?
Two researchers tell the story of how the pandemic completely altered their research topic and how they dealt with it.
23 Sep 2021
-
Professors: No, banks are not cheating small customers – those customers are actually being pampered
BOOK REVIEW: Scapegoating the finance sector has become a national sport. Imagine, banks are daring to charge negative interest. But much of the criticism is based on prejudice, claim two professors.
17 May 2021