Need advice- exams

seanog91

Hi guys,

I am just looking for some assurance or help or advice- whatever!

I have been giving a massive job recently just out of college by a massive massive company. I have accountancy exams coming up in just over a month and I mean I can not stop thinking about them.

I am still learning to adapt to the working life and my workload is huge and trying to manage it all I am still learning how to deal with it. I have told my manager that I am still trying to adjust and she told me that I am doing fine.

I still can not believe I got the job as my overall degree was not good ( I made slip up in my xmas exams, but made up for it in my summer ones). I got to graduate with my friends and whilst these are now either doing Masters or unemployed and they got higher in their degree than me I know I have been giving a fantastic opportunity by this company and I do not want to let them down by failing these exams.

I have study leave and everything for these but they are just playing on my mind. When I am say watching TV or anything I feel I should not be doing this, I should be in the books. I know that I have to have breaks etc and still have a social life as I did it throughout college. Its strange as I have never had this feeling before. I was told by many many people that I am extremely confident and they have told me that for 21 I am way beyond my years in experience and dealing with things. They say I am very mature and the chance and opportunity I have is amazing. Although I do love everything that is happening to me- I can not get these stupid exams feelings out of me. I never get this and normally I am very confident in my ability. I know why I did not get a good degree and people were very surprised as they all see me as being smart. I know I am but that comes through hard work and determination. I set myself goals and id I do not reach them I keep trying. I have never felt like this. I have talked to my parents and they tell me to take a break etc. I have done but when I go back to the books I feel as if I have wasted so much time away from them.

I am sitting two exams both which normally I would say I will be fine but I honestly do not think I will be. I can not get this weird feeling out of my head and I am even dreaming about them NEVER happened in my life!!!

I know the reasons why I am having these feelings with the whole pressure I am putting on myself etc but the thung is I know I can do it all.

Sorry for the long essay but any advice would be great or what you think etc.

Thanks

edellc

Can you just clarify what you want people to advise you on OP as from your post I get your nervous about your exams as you feel that they wont go fine yet in the next sentence you say that you know you can do it, so I'm just wondering if your just getting something off your chest or if you actually are looking for advise and if so what are you looking for advise on?

DaenyB

I've only just come out the other side of years of these exams OP and I know that feeling of awful guilt any time you're not studying. Guilt seems to be playing a huge part in all of this as if you think you're not fully worthy of the job/opportunities etc.

You need to set out a realistic but good timetable for your study leave where you know you will cover a certain amount each day. When you have done this you are completely entitled to take your break knowing you have reached that personal goal of the day. This definitely should help with the feelings of guilt when not studying.

And I know you won't believe me but its really really not the end of the world if you do need to repeat an exam. Just try to keep your cool, work hard but stop putting so much pressure on yourself. Good luck!

castaway_lady

Get over the guilt factor for a start. It's dog eat dog in the job market as you know, your degree results count for only so much in terms of the job hunt, recruiters do look at the whole package. Who's to say that you haven't got a more rounded cv than your classmates who have a better grade than you and you don't owe them anything. This is time wasting thinking.

Maybe your new reaction to exams is because you're growing out of the college mindset and starting to see them in terms of the professional amongst other professionals? So your job now is to live up that professional responsibility and take an adult approach to them. There is a legitimate adjustment period from college to work and it's often a shock to the system to have a much more structured life and responsibilities and the feeling that 'this is it forever'.

In evaluative situations people tend to be motivated by one of two approaches, either the fear of failure or the drive for success. Sounds like you're caught between moving from the latter to the former. This isn't a big problem in terms of being successful in them, buy you have to get to action. And quit the "im not worthy" mindset, its creating an excuse for yourself.