Let’s today make a leap to the fears, the phobias all of us have ever faced. Some of us might be afraid of heights, some might be afraid of fire, some of the lizards, but have you ever thought about what phobia all of us have in common? Yes, it’s the fear of examinations. There is or has been this phobia amongst all of us. In fact, even Albert Einstein suffered from exam fever, and Winston Churchill managed to write his name only when he was appearing for an entrance exam.

Firstly, let us talk about what are examinations and why are they important? Examinations are the educational assessment of one’s knowledge, skill, aptitude, physical fitness, etc. They are just a form of learning activity. They are important for evaluation and selecting some eligible people out of many for some particular job or for admission to any institute. Not only this, exams teach one how to handle stress, manage time and adapt to the requirements.

Still, all of us try to avoid exams. Have you ever thought why? The reason behind the fear of exams is actually the fear of failure. Also, exams bring with them the immense pain of a disciplined and hard-working life. One has to step out of his comfort zone and work really hard for success. Also, there are more chances of failure than there are of success and hence, fear of failure after so much hard work seems quite obvious. We build in within us stress because the world will judge us, the failure will disappoint us, and there will be more hard work, more thorns, and more discomfort zone awaiting us. All this leads to anxiety and hence, builds a phobia in our minds.

Now, let us have a look at the bigger picture. Exams bring in with them the opportunity for us to examine ourselves, learn where we are lacking, adapt to the requirements, work on our faults, be better and then make another fight to fit in the pot that we wish for us. Failure is not actually a failure, it just means there is something missing, something that you need to inculcate in yourself, to achieve what you want. See, failure is not the opposite of success, in fact, it’s part of success. And the season of failure is the best time to plant the seeds of success. It is all our perspective. Life gives one many opportunities. Exams give one many opportunities. Ones who are smart enough to learn from their mistakes will surely get success. Fear only leads to a confused mind full of anxiety. One is unable to think properly and hence, cannot give his or her 100%. Overcoming fear and having control over one’s emotions is the first step towards success. Whenever you feel that anxiety or fear, drink more water, reassure why you and your preparation makes you the best fit for the examination, thereby replacing your fear with self-confidence. You will surely succeed. Even if you don’t, you learned. You are a step ahead of who you were; a step towards your calling. A win-win situation it is!

I wish you all the luck with all the exams you will face in the future. Stay calm. Let failures make you more determined. The real failure is only when you actually stop trying. DO NOT!