Hey all. I sent some words of encouragement to my own students, but I figured I'd post a version of it here, as it's applicable to anyone in college.
I imagine many of you have been spending hours preparing and studying for your upcoming exams. I know this can be a stressful, anxiety-inducing week. If it feels like you're the only one experiencing stress, anxiety, or even second guessing whether you're capable of succeeding at Purdue, know that you're not alone. Even the most outwardly confident students likely feel the same way. So, here are some reminders and tips to keep in mind...
Your performance on an exam is not a reflection of your intelligence, nor is it a reflection of your future potential. Exams merely measure your ability to take exams and your knowledge about specific material on a specific day. It doesn't take into account any other factors that may affect you at the time you take an exam, such as your physical/mental health or any other personal challenges you've had to navigate. A test is not a reflection of you or your value. Every highly successful person has had to endure failure and setbacks. Experiencing failure and hardship are critical, healthy, and normal aspects of personal growth. Failure means that you've tried doing something difficult. If you cruised through college with ease, it likely means that you never truly challenged yourself.
If you still have a hard time separating your self-worth to your exam scores, I encourage you to do this one simple thing: take a couple minutes to write down a few positive things about yourself that have nothing to do with school (e.g., I'm a person others can depend on. I always follow through on whatever I put my mind to. I'm good at bringing people together. I'm creative. I'm good at coming up with unique solutions to problems. People often confide in me because I'm a good listener. I can explain complex things in ways that others can easily understand. I have lots of unique ideas. I often have the courage to speak up on behalf of others. I can spot problems before they occur. I often make people laugh. I'm good at reading and understanding people. I am genuinely kind and compassionate. I'm a natural leader. I'm a good storyteller.) These personal qualities are more indicative of your true value and future potential than any exam. In your future career, you will likely not be paid or assessed on your ability to take exams, but rather your ability to inspire others, to solve problems, to advocate for people who need help, to communicate effectively, to make things efficient, to create, to build things, to facilitate tough conversations, to sell ideas, and to initiate and manage projects. None of these things are adequately captured in a multiple choice exam.
Experiencing stress can often be beneficial. Common wisdom tells us that if we're experiencing stress, that we should try to reduce that stress. But when it comes to exams, stress stems from the fact that you've pushed yourself to take on challenging material. Stress is a sign that you're preparing to conquer something difficult, which is perfectly normal. And research has shown that acute stress can improve your performance and cognitive function by strengthening the connection between neurons in your brain, improving your memory, and helping you be more productive. So, if you're feeling stressed, embrace it and use it to energize and motivate yourself to be at your best. Think about a professional athlete before a big game. They are likely stressed, but they will channel that stress toward excitement and pump themselves up. You can do the same.
So, go forth and crush those exams. You got this! Truly. Purdue would not have accepted you if you were not capable of succeeding here. And if things don't swing your way, know that you can use it as a learning experience and bounce back stronger than before.