GCSE Worrying

I can't imagine how many secondary school students stress about exams. All the high expectations of achieving the best grades so they can go on to the educational institution they want to, where they'll endure the same experience of trying to attain the best grades so they can access the best universities.

While it is all well and good having goals and reaching what you ultimately want in life, it's so important to lower expectations and take out the stress and the pressure of exams. What your mates achieve and what your family or friends may want you to achieve doesn't matter, all that matters is you and what you want.

I get the sense most kids and young people have a narrowed mindset about what they want, but life isn't about narrow options, there's a world out there to explore and opportunities to take advantage of. Wanting that one precious thing is cool if you can get it, but dang you guys and gals should embrace the possibilities, open up your minds to everything this life to offer. If you open up the possibilities you can free your mind from the burden of expectation and you'll likely be happier within yourself.

Exams aren't to be feared and stressed over, they are tests of knowledge. Yes, exams can hold the keys to the best educational institutions, but nobody really needs those, only your mindset and desires believe you do.

I believe that in every experience in life you should learn something. If you fail at making it to your college and university, it doesn't mean you aren't good enough, it means you've got another path to take either to get what you want, or to change your life for the better. I took Law in my first year at college because I thought it'd be a great subject to take and I was interested. I got a D in my first college exam and failed the summer exam. Instead of yearning for a career in law, I figured that I don't need it, so I took History instead and enjoyed that alternative a lot more.

The best thing to do when it comes to exams is have a casual mindset, not one where you don't take exams seriously, just one where you'll go in do your best, then not worry at all about grades and you'll do whatever you feel necessary after you've seen your results.

Don't let exams control your mindset, let your mindset control the exam.

Reply 1

username5989765

Thank you for this, I really needed to hear it. I just want to add, life is so much more than just a couple of exams, it's about the people you meet, connections you make and the experiences you have.

I don't like the idea of my whole life revolving around academics, and even though I'm aiming for and working hard towards all A*s, even if I don't get there, it's really not the end of the world.