Originally posted by Meilin86:
I really need advice as i feel i am really hopeless. I find out that i am not excel in studies. Whatever i study, i will forget when i close the book. I have tried all ways to study, but still the same.
I have to study very hard to get a just pass for my test or exam, which is not worth the effort. One thing i realise i have to read a lot of time to comprehen the passage. After studying,i always have a headache.
My exam flung and carried a risk to retain. I can't express myself well in writing during examination. My mind is blank. I just sit and stare on the question. Nothing comes out of my mind.
Am i suffer from memory problem or any symptoms from Dyslexia or low in IQ? Am i stupid? Should i consult a doctor? what had happen to me? I have suffered these problem along the years. Anyone have these problem? Am i normal? and many more......
i am grateful for your piece of advices......
Thank you.
If you're reached tertiary level you are quite intelligent already.

Exams aren't to stress you, it's to test what you know. Just take it as that. (A lot of people told me this actually, but it didn't help me, however I hope it helps you.)

Listen to Baroque/classical music when studying, if possible before your exam day, or just before the exam. Works for some people. I wasn't a great performer at school but everytime I studying I had classical music in the background to help me relax. Then when I sat for the exam, I could sort of imagine that music playing in the background, it helped me relax. I recommend Pachelbel's Canon in D.
You could also suck on a sweet just before the exam, it may calm your nerves.
You can also reinforce yourself with positive thoughts during studying and during the exam. Don't condemn yourself. Just keep saying things like, "This is easy," "I can do this..." "I know this, I just have to think it through a while and it will come to me..."
Regarding passages, I think all you need is focus. Skim throught the intro and conclusion to get the main point of the passage, before you go on to the body. Write down your thoughts as you read. Similarly, when writing something, think of your conclusion first, write it out. What do you want to tell the examiner? The main points? Then you can work upwards from there.