"I Can't Do Exams": How to Stay Calm, Confident, and Ready for Exam Season

It’s that time of year again. The energy in classrooms and lecture halls shifts. Whiteboards fill with revision schedules and your group chats buzz with anticipation. For both HSC students and first-year university students, the first real round of exams is looming—and with it, often comes a creeping sense of anxiety.

At Drift Tuition, we see it every year. Students who care deeply, who want to do well, who have high hopes for their future—and who start to feel overwhelmed. But if you’re reading this and thinking, yep, that’s me, take a deep breath. Exam anxiety is common, natural, and manageable. More importantly, it doesn’t mean you’re not capable or prepared. It means you care. And caring is the first step toward doing your best.

We also spoke to Dr Hilary Coleman at Unilateral to unpack exam anxiety further, looking at what it is, why it shows up, and how you can work with your brain—not against it—as you move into exam season.

Understanding Exam Anxiety

Exam anxiety isn’t just “nerves”—it’s a physical and psychological response to a perceived threat. When we view exams as high-stakes, all-or-nothing situations, our body switches into survival mode: adrenaline surges, muscles tense, thoughts spiral. The problem is, your brain doesn’t know the difference between a math test and a lion chasing you. It reacts the same way.

But here’s the truth: exams aren’t life-or-death. They’re a moment in time, and you are allowed to approach them with calm clarity—not panic.

Study Smarter: How Your Brain Learns Best

The good news is that there are tried-and-tested, science-backed methods to help you retain information, reduce stress, and feel more in control of your learning.

One of the most effective is spaced repetition. Rather than cramming the night before, you revisit information regularly over time. This strengthens memory and builds confidence. Pair this with retrieval practice—testing yourself rather than just reviewing—and you’ll not only remember more, but feel more prepared when you're sitting in that exam room.

Another powerful method is interleaving. Instead of studying one topic for hours, try switching between subjects or question types. This keeps your brain alert and helps you make deeper connections between ideas. And don’t underestimate the power of visuals—dual coding, where you combine words and images (like mind maps, flow charts or diagrams), has been shown to significantly improve recall.

These methods might sound like small tweaks, but when done consistently, they reduce cognitive load, deepen understanding, and—critically—lower anxiety.

Also, it's important to mix up your study methods. It can be tempting to spend this time re-writing notes or highlighting. While this may provide comfort, these methods are not nearly as effective as jumping straight into practice questions (even if you feel completely unprepared).

Creating a Safe Space to Practice

One of the biggest misconceptions students carry is the idea that they have to get everything right on the first try. But the very purpose of practice is to uncover what you don’t know—yet.

When you sit down to do a past paper or timed question, try to reframe it: this is not a test of your worth. This is a safe space to experiment, to stretch your thinking, and to make mistakes.

And remember: you’re not in this alone. Reaching out for help doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re learning. Whether it's asking your school teacher to go over a tricky concept again, emailing your uni lecturer for clarification, or bringing a practice essay to your tutor, these are the moments that matter. You are allowed to ask questions. You are allowed to struggle a bit. That’s where growth happens.

At Drift Tuition, we work hard to create an environment where it’s okay to not have it all figured out yet. That’s what support looks like—not judgment, but gentle guidance and honest feedback, delivered with care.

The Mind-Body Connection

Even the most perfectly structured study schedule won’t work if your body and nervous system are burnt out. Taking care of your mind starts with taking care of your body.

Build routines that support rest as much as they support results. Get consistent sleep—yes, even during exam week. Eat foods that nourish and sustain you. Move your body, even if it’s just a slow walk around the block. Breathwork techniques like box breathing (in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4) can ground you in moments of panic.

Most importantly, take breaks without guilt. Not every hour needs to be “productive” to be valuable. Sometimes, it’s the pause that allows your brain to catch up and consolidate.

When the Big Day Comes

You’ve done the work. You’ve built the habits. But if anxiety still flares up on exam day, that’s okay too.

Start with presence. Take a few deep breaths. Anchor yourself with a grounding phrase like, I am safe, I am prepared, I know more than I think I do. Then walk in with the understanding that this is just one part of your learning journey—not the final word on your intelligence or future.

Shifting Your Attitude Towards Exams

No matter where you are in schooling or tertiary education, exams are inevitable. I spoke with Dr Coleman from Unilateral to explore how we might shift our perspective—and what science has to say about it.

"When we view tests and exams as an impossible barrier, that's exactly what they become," says Dr Coleman.

"Instead, cognitive science research suggests that personally knowing lots of specific content knowledge is actually what allows us to problem solve - and tests and exams help us get there. You can't connect the dots if you don't have any dots. Real world workplaces also routinely require you to think on your feet under pressure, so preparing for tests and exams is simply one of many things you'll do on your way to your future career."

Final Thoughts

Exams can be scary for even the most passionate students—but remember, you are not facing it alone. With the right tools, a calm mindset, and a little support, you can move through it and onto the next exciting thing.

And when it feels tough, let us remind you: it’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up, learning with curiosity, and taking each step with self-compassion.

You've got this.

-Bella

Visit the link below if you'd like to watch the video from Unilateral on this topic.