Experiencing depression or anxiety at exam time
- Maintaining your well-being during the exam period
- How do you know if you need support?
- What is depression?
- What is anxiety?
- What can you do if you are feeling depressed or anxious at exam time?
Maintaining your well-being during the exam
period
Are you worried about exams? Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed, depressed or anxious when the exam period approaches? The assessment period can be a very stressful time at Uni and many students may experience feelings of depression or anxiety that make it difficult for them to prepare for their exams. If this is happening to you, there is support available to help you manage your feelings and help you to concentrate better on your exam preparation. Here we suggest a wide range of resources that you may find helpful.
How do you know if you need support?
Heightened emotions are to be expected when a person feels under pressure. Some people enjoy the pressure and perform better than usual. However, many people feel overwhelmed when the level of stress becomes so great that they cannot concentrate and they risk being overcome by feelings of depression or anxiety. These feelings tend to increase the closer it gets to exam time. The following information provides a brief overview to help you determine whether or not you are at risk of depression and/or anxiety.
What is depression?
The word ‘depression’ is used in many different ways to cover a range of feelings that people describe as depression. Depression ranges from feelings of sadness or unhappiness, to finding it difficult to get out of bed, to a group of mental illnesses known as clinical depression where in extreme circumstances a person may feel that life is no longer worth living. Frequently, feelings of sadness soon pass but sometimes these feelings persist and become disruptive to everyday life, making it increasingly difficult to cope. It is important to know that whatever the causes and symptoms of depression, treatment is very effective.
Resources for depression
If you think you are suffering from depression, the links below will connect you to some websites that provide information about the condition and treatment options.
- depressioNet provides a comprehensive online resource for Australians living with depression.
- beyondblue is a national, independent organisation working to address issues associated with depression and anxiety in Australia. It provides a check list where you can determine whether or not you are experiencing depression or anxiety.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal response to a stressful or challenging event. Some people experience anxiety as a motivator while many others typically become agitated, tense and distressed. The term ‘anxiety’ covers a range of feelings from a generalised sense of nervousness, to feelings of fearfulness accompanied by a lack of confidence, to a group of mental illnesses known as anxiety disorders that result in disabling feelings of continual dread and tension which significantly interfere with daily life. Panic attacks may occur that further increase the fear and make it very difficult to cope. It is important to know that whatever the causes and symptoms of anxiety, treatment is very effective.
Resources for anxiety
If you think you are suffering from anxiety or an anxiety disorder, the links below will connect you to some websites that provide useful information about the condition and treatment options.
- Reducing anxiety and panic on campus provides strategies for managing the effects of anxiety while on campus. It provides links to other useful resources on anxiety and its treatment.
- Anxiety Treatment Australia is a national website that provides information about anxiety disorders, the treatment options, psychologists around Australia who treat anxiety disorders, group therapy & workshops, support groups, articles, resources and links to other sites.
- Stress - learning to relax is a guide written by Child and Youth Health and provides information about stress, relaxation, meditation and other stress-relieving activities.
What can you do if you are feeing depressed or anxious at exam time?
There are many supports available to help you at this time. Most students will be able to cope with support from friends, family, Learning and Teaching Unit, and other resources such as those provided in this guide. You can attend a drop-in session with a Counsellor or Learning Adviser at Learning and Teaching Unit or you can access the online resources on Learning and Teaching Unit's website. Preparing thoroughly for exams is an important step in managing anxiety and Learning Advisers can help you with your preparation. Counsellors can help you access a variety of resources and discuss your personal strategies for dealing with your feelings. However, if your feelings of depression or anxiety become overwhelming, it is wise to see your general medical practitioner for a mental and physical health assessment. You may need treatment if you are diagnosed with depression or an anxiety disorder. You will be entitled to access the University's Disability Service for assistance.
Resources for exam preparation
You may find the following online resources useful while you are preparing for your exams.
- Finding motivation to study is an online workshop which provides information about the role that motivation plays in your life and guides you through a series of activities to help you increase your motivation to study more effectively.
- Making exam anxiety work for you is an online workshop that presents useful strategies for responding to exam anxiety.
- Managing stress provides information about stress and gives strategies for managing your stress levels. There are also links to other useful resources.
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Succeeding in exams provides general information about exams and advice to
assist your preparation and performance in certain types of exams.