I did not stick to the plan!

I believe strongly that many of the exams we do through our academic life are failed outside the examination room. The moment we notice that we did not follow the plan that we set out at the beginning of our studies, we quickly conclude that we shall not be able to make it. Some of us even attempt to think about what we shall do differently in the next examination sitting. We promise ourselves that we shall stick to the plan next time and 'nothing shall stand in our way that time round………'.

With only a few days to the exam, thoughts like these can cloud our vision and quickly get us worried, shaken and unsettled. We quickly start thinking about the money and time we have invested and spend big chunks of our study time wondering whether we shall ever get over this hurdle. These thoughts soon drive us to thinking that there isn’t enough time and we should prepare ourselves for defeat. By the time we get to the paper, we are 50% convinced that we shall not make it and may even fail to pick out those questions which we would have otherwise passed.

The thoughts that we let into our minds at this time are very crucial for our success. We should endeavour to have a positive attitude and encourage ourselves every morning.

These are a few practical things that you may consider doing;

• Confess a victory – 'I am going to pass P2 (or any paper you may be sitting for)….……..'
• Encourage others – convince your friends that they are going to make it (this shall also give you confidence in yourself)
• Look back at the effort you have put in under your circumstances and you will notice that you were actually doing your best and 'your best is good enough'
• Look at the time left as an opportunity to hit your target and not a constant reminder of how little the time left is
• Keep you mind on what you can do now and not what you have not yet done.

The moment your registration is accepted for a given paper, you are capable of passing it. We should ensure that we give ourselves the best chance of a pass by believing that we have got what it takes. We should take our eyes off our inadequacies and put them on our capabilities. As you get into that paper, look at it as an opportunity to pass and not just another failure.

Finally, when you are getting into that examination room, keep in mind that you are as prepared as you can be for the exam. The confidence that you build from inside shall propel you though the paper and give you a fair chance against the examiner.

Good luck and God bless.