The room feels tense. Someone forgot their hall ticket. Another person is flipping pages last-minute. Someone else whispers, “I didn’t study this chapter!” You haven’t even opened your question paper, but the stress around you is already starting to affect your mind.
This is a common exam-day situation — and it’s easy to absorb other people’s panic without realising it. But staying calm in a storm is a skill you can build. It starts with recognising this truth: you can feel calm even if no one else does.
Before the exam begins, take a few moments to ground yourself. Don’t join the chaos. Instead of absorbing everyone’s last-minute doubts, breathe deeply. Focus on your preparation, not their panic. Sometimes, stress spreads simply because everyone keeps repeating it out loud. Choose silence, or even light music in your ears if allowed.
If someone’s panic is affecting you, quietly step away. Go for a short walk or sit somewhere else. You don’t owe anyone your energy — especially not when you need to protect your focus.
And most importantly, remind yourself: you’ve done what you can. You’ve prepared, you’ve shown up, and now it’s time to trust yourself.
Calm isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you create — especially when the world around you forgets how.