I have dealt with a lot of fears through my lifetime, from fearing basic things like food and other things like darkness, divisive moral issues, public speaking, and more. However, nothing has kept me on my toes like the exams I had to take in 2016.
I think my situation would best be described as the fear of exam, just the normal tension that comes with exams, and a very special one at such. Examophobia on the other hand is a psychological condition, a form of neurosis, in which a person demonstrates an abnormal fear of exams. So, lemme tell you all about my fear of exams, that almost presented like examophobia.
My first tertiary education programme was a Diploma Programme as a Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW). I wasn't really prepared for this programme as I never saw the ultimate and final exams called the "National Exams" coming.
Here is how a programme requiring a national exam was run then: You study for the full length of time required for your course/programme of studies, let's say three years. During the set period for study, you will be subjected to normal semester exams like every other students in a tertiary institution, but the funny thing is that these exams are only for assessment sake, as they are not aggregated by the end of your programme. All the courses took, and the exams writen were just to prepare the student for the final ultimate exam - "The National Exams".
During a National Exam, students are presented with about five types of assessments, namely: practical test, theory (subjective), theory (objective/multiple choice), and theory (essay); all with an aggregated questions that is a compilation of all that was leant through out the period of education (3 or 4 years depending on the course).
The nature of the exams were the foundation of my fears. I wondered if I could meet up to the exam requirements, what happens if I fail? and a lot more.
I was left with one option, and one alone, and the option is: "To face my fears'. There were other female counterparts, and other male coursemates that were sitting for the same exam, and I asked, if these can do it. Why can't I?
So, I read! I read so hard that at some point, it felt like the brain was full and unable to accommodate more. Even though the brain was playing tricks on me, I still tried to win over the situation, and I did. The dreaded exam, then felt like a work-over and I managed to make it out with an upper credit.
When necessities are involved, face your fears; but when it feels unnecessary and unreasonably risky, allow your fears to conquer you! Peace!
