Exams and freaking out

[Niniane]

Hi,

I have my first-year exams next week. Problem is, I'm extremely anxious. I don't sleep anymore, pushing me into using sleeping pills which leave me really worn off when I get up. I'm so nervous that I jump at any unexpected noises, I'm a bit aggressive with people - family week-end proved that quite well.

Those exams are very important for me, because I've been trying for three years to succeed in uni. My health is often quite bad, which seriously strains my success. But this year, even though I had to go on homeschooling because facing Uni everyday was just impossible, I had good grades, I know my stuff and I'm nearly done with revising.
But I'm afraid my anxiety will get in the way. I'm afraid I'll freak out at the exam, since I get very uncomfortable in closed spaces with a lot of people, since I hear voices quite often and they stop me from focusing.

I just don't know how to deal with this overwhelming anxiety, and right now I really need it under control. Does anyone ever got in that situation and managed to deal with it ?

[EstPrepare]

im not sure what university you go to or the way in which it works but i know that here in Australia universities have "equity" supports. I also have trouble with large groups of people in small smaces due to my mental health condition. For me equity ensures that i do my exams in very small rooms with minimal people involved. It might be worth looking into if they have something like this where you live, it could help a great deal.

[when.will.it.end]

Hey,

I've just been through my uni exams & have severe issues with anxiety as well, so I can relate to what you're saying. My university give me my own room to do my exams in, is there anyway you could get this? Do you have a disability services at uni that you could talk to about it?

I actually find that anxiety is quite helpful in exams because it wakes you up a bit and makes you perform as well as you possibly can because you are so anxious about getting things wrong. For me anyway. It's a fine balance between that and panic.

Try and remember that they are only (?) exams and nothing bad is going to happen. If you have done the work, which you have, there isn't much more you can do but see how it goes on the day.

[fuzzy_sweets]

As others have mentioned it would be good to get some support from disability services at your Uni. You could get more time to complete your exams and breaks if you need to compose yourself. If your uni doesnt know your struggling then they cannot help you.

[Niniane]

Thank you both for answering.

My uni does have a disability service, but there's no way they'll provide a room for me, or put me with few people. Besides, I was registered into it for another diploma (had to change because the homeschooling program didn't have the exact thing I took) and you can't register after november. So I'm kind of stuck on that point.
The thing is, something bad could happen, because my parents won't let me try another year. So if I fail, I'm out. And I have no idea what else I could do. But when.will.it.end, you're right about the fact that it makes you perform as well as possible. I have to keep that balance in mind.

[Ailsa]

Hi there, fellow Frenchwoman. That sounds very hard - *hugs*.

About sleeping - could you try some relaxation exercises? I find they really help me to sleep and avoid all the tossing and turning and thinking.

If you know your stuff, there's no reason you should have any problem. Could you maybe imagine you were just by yourself? I know it seems silly, but remember that nobody in that exam room can do anything to you to hurt you. Most of them are probably feeling nervous, some just as much as you. About your parents not letting you do another year - I understand that's stressful, but would they really leave you alone in the wilderness? For what it's worth, I believe you're going to be ok.

Merde for your exams, (because that makes all the difference)

Ailsa

PS. Please feel free to PM me if you'd like to talk - especially if you'd find it helpful to talk to someone in French :)