Anonymous:
So I think I can sum up my problem up in one word; stress. We are entering the final part of the term when those dreaded exams start to stare at us right in the face. I know I shouldn’t take exams so seriously, as though if I were to fail that it would be the end of the world, however, they really do make me worry a lot. It feels like there is a lot of pressure and I find it difficult to deal with it sometimes. People say grades are not the only thing that matters in life but my parents don’t seem to think that at all! I don’t know how I can live up to such high expectations. Sometimes the competition between friends can make it even worse since I probably care too much about how they judge me. Sometimes I feel like everyone is just better at everything than I can ever be! Please, agony aunt, can you give me some advice on how to deal with exam stress?
Agony Aunt:
Hola! I just came back from a long, relaxing holiday from Spain. You wish you were me, but you can’t be. Fortunately for you, I have the next best thing! Relax. Breathe. Actually breathe. Don’t just breathe because you have lungs and that’s what you are supposed to do with them. Inhale and exhale. Take in the dirt, sand and pollution in Kuwait and replace it with glitter and unicorns! You submitting to your parents doesn’t make you weak.You’ve heard it once and you’ll hear it again from me: they’re there to help you. They want the utmost best for you, and you should never doubt it. Your parents putting pressure on you doesn’t make them mean. It simply means that you are going to try again tomorrow and they are going to push you even harder than yesterday. That’s their job! It might sound annoying but it’s true. Change your perspective. Instead of being scared of that push, embrace it. They are pushing you to shine your brightest. Now, about those friends of yours; you are looking at their lives as an outsider, no matter how close you are to them. But I know that’s not true. They’re your friends, and they wouldn’t be if you weren’t worth it – let me tell you; you are worth it. We all have bad days, bad times, etc.The point I am trying to make is that it takes real bravery and courage to face your fears and come out alive. When they increase their pressure upon you, succumb and turn into a diamond. Achieve under pressure. You have to fake it till you make it. Make this your mantra. Recite it every time you feel like you are not enough. You are enough. You don’t need to justify yourself to anyone. That said, don’t mess up your exams or you’ll get nowhere in life. Haha, don’t worry, I just said that because it got a little too deep over there. Best of luck!
Love,
Agony Aunt.
