Examination fears/Anxiety

Hello stemians in this amazing community I sincerely appreciate this amazing contest topic and I am here to share my story 😊

Examination: My Story, My Fears, and My Honest Thoughts

Examinations. That word alone can change the mood in a room. It has a way of draining your joy and filling your chest with silent panic. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how many exams you’ve written before—when exam season comes, the fear still comes knocking. For me, exam fear wasn’t just a small thing. It was something that followed me around like a shadow, especially in my first year at the university.

Let me tell you about the most dreadful exam I’ve ever written.

It was in my first semester, year one. I still remember the course. Even before we started lectures, the stories about it were already flying around campus. People would say things like, "That course? Just pray you pass. The lecturer loves twisting questions." Everywhere you turned, someone had one scary gist or the other about how tricky the exams would be.

To be honest, I tried my best to prepare. I read. I asked questions. I even studied past questions. But somehow, no matter how much I prepared, I couldn’t shake off this feeling that I wasn’t ready. It was like the fear was built into the course. The moment you mention the course title, my heart would skip a beat.

The anxiety stole all my confidence. I entered the exam hall that day feeling empty. It was as if I had come to the battle without my weapon. The invigilator handed me the question paper, and I looked at it. Thirty-six questions. Out of all of them, I confidently knew only one. Just one. The rest? I couldn’t even guess. They didn’t look familiar. The questions were twisted exactly the way people warned us about.

In that moment, I wanted the ground to open and swallow me. I felt tears gather in my eyes, but I told myself, "You can’t cry here. Just write what you know." I quickly wrote the answer to the one question I knew. As for the rest, honestly, it was God that wrote them. I answered as best as I could, but deep down I knew I wasn’t sure of anything.

When I submitted my paper, I walked out of the hall feeling completely defeated. I told myself, "Well, whatever happens, happens." Surprisingly, when the results came out, I didn’t fail. I didn’t even have a carryover. I passed. That’s when I truly understood that sometimes, exam anxiety is more dangerous than the exam itself.

How Exam Fear Has Shaped My Academic Journey

Looking back, I can confidently say that exam fear has been part of my academic life from the very beginning. Sometimes, the fear pushed me to study hard, which was a good thing. But most times, it attacked my confidence and made me second-guess myself, even when I had prepared well.

There were nights I stayed awake, not because I was reading, but because my chest was heavy with fear. There were days I forgot things I knew so well simply because I allowed anxiety to overpower me. It got to a point where I started to believe I wasn’t good enough, just because exams always made me feel small.

The problem, I realised, wasn’t always the exam itself. It was the pressure the system placed on us. Failing one paper feels like the end of the world. It feels like a label: pass and you are smart, fail and you are foolish. Nobody teaches us how to manage exam fear. All we hear is, "Pass your exam or you’re finished."

That’s not fair. And honestly, that’s not the best way to raise intelligent, confident students.

If I Could Design an Exam System…

If I had the power to create my own exam system, I would definitely change a few things to make life easier for students.

First of all, I would introduce continuous assessments that carry more weight than the final exam. For me, it doesn’t make sense that your entire grade should depend on what you write in just two hours. Life is not like that. You should be able to prove yourself through classwork, projects, group assignments, and even participation.

Secondly, I would bring in open-book exams in some courses. Some people say it’s too easy, but I don’t agree. In real life, you can always check your books, the internet, or ask someone else for help. Why then are we forcing students to cram? An open-book exam would focus more on testing your understanding, not your memory.

Also, I would give students different ways to prove themselves. Not everyone is good at writing exams. Some are better at presentations, some at practicals, and some at creative work. Why should everyone be judged by just one method?

Lastly, I would include mental health support as part of the exam process. Students should be taught how to handle anxiety, how to balance their studies with rest, and how to build confidence. Imagine if schools provided free workshops on handling exam fear—many people would perform better.

Exams should be a way to test your knowledge, not to torture you or make you feel like you’re not good enough.

Final Words

Exams will always be part of life, but I’ve come to learn that passing or failing doesn’t define me. I’m more than my scores. That exam I nearly failed in year one taught me that God, preparation, and courage can carry you through even the scariest battles.

If you are reading this and you’re currently facing exam fear, I want you to know this: You are not alone. Fear is normal, but don’t let it stop you. Prepare well, believe in yourself, and remember that your best is enough.

Thanks for reading my story. I’d love to hear yours too. How have exams treated you?

Inviting my friends to share their experience
@kwinberry @imohmitchel @davidmarkgeorge @promisezella