Experts Advise Strategies to Manage Exam Anxiety Among Students

Psychologists and psychiatrists stress that exam anxiety can be managed with practical techniques. Psychologist Özlem Çalhan Özel (Egekent Hospital) recommends students focus on the learning process rather than outcomes, maintain regular study schedules, ensure adequate sleep, balanced nutrition and physical activity, and seek supportive, non‑judgmental family and teacher attitudes. She notes common symptoms such as heart racing, sweating, stomach upset, difficulty concentrating and sleep problems, and advises breath‑control exercises and positive self‑talk during exams.

Child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Melek Gözde Luş (Üsküdar University) highlights that perfectionism, excessive family pressure and unrealistic expectations amplify anxiety. She advises reassessing goals, limiting exposure to stress‑inducing environments, maintaining healthy sleep and diet, and seeking professional help if anxiety interferes with performance or daily life.

Professor Nevzat Tarhan adds that anxiety is a natural energy that can enhance performance when correctly channeled. He promotes breaking tasks into small steps, shifting from result‑focused to process‑focused thinking, using “pause‑and‑plan” techniques during exams, and encouraging parents to avoid projecting their anxieties onto children. Across all experts, the consensus is that structured preparation, healthy habits, realistic expectations and supportive environments reduce exam‑related stress.