[University Entrance Exams] You have the resolve and the confidence. But you can't perform at your best on the big day. What is the reason?

"I have the resolve."
"I have a fair amount of confidence."
"I'm getting results on mock exams."

And yet—
When it comes to the actual exam, for some reason, you can't perform at your best.

Have you ever seen a student like that?
I actually have students like that right in front of me.

Click here for the previous article

● You can do it on mock exams, but you fall apart on the real thing

• Always getting passing grades on mock exams.
• Consistently scoring well in practice exercises.
• They don't seem to be overly nervous at all.

And yet, when the real thing comes, they can't perform at their best.
The students themselves tilt their heads, wondering, "Why?"
To those around them, it looks like they've been "possessed by a demon."

● Reasons why you can't perform at your best on the big day

This kind of case actually happens quite often.
The cause is not a "lack of resolve" or a "lack of confidence."

1. Unconscious tension is manifesting in the body
Even if the student thinks they aren't nervous, their body enters a tension mode with an increased heart rate, shallow breathing, and sweaty palms.
As a result, their thinking and processing speed drop slightly.

2. Your resolve is too focused on the "result"
If you are too focused on the result of "I must pass," your mind can collapse instantly due to a single mistake or moment of anxiety.
"I can't afford to make a mistake," "I have to pass here"This resolve toward the result can sometimes become unnecessary pressure on yourself, inviting excessive tension.
True resolve should be toward the "process" of "fighting until the end" and "thinking through every single question."

3. Being too sensitive to the atmosphere
They are easily influenced unconsciously by the "atmosphere of the exam hall" and the "surrounding noise" unique to the actual exam.
The calmer or more sensitive a student is, the more likely they are to be swallowed by the atmosphere.

4. Lack of practice in "giving it your all"
Even if they can do well on mock exams and exercises, they have little experience with "one-shot deals" or "recovering after a failure."
It's a state of lacking "game sense," as they say in sports.

● Tips for performing at your best on the big day

So, what should you do?
The following three things are effective.

1. Redefining tension
　Don't view "tension = bad," but rather as "proof that I am taking this seriously."
　A moderate amount of tension is absolutely necessary. Think about how to deal with your tension.

2. Place your resolve in the process
　Decide to "solve until the very end" and "recover even if you fall apart halfway through."
　Do not place your resolve on passing, not making mistakes, or the result, but rather on the "process of giving it your all."

3. Create a routine for the big day and practice it regularly
　- Take three deep breaths before the exam
　- Chant to yourself, "It's okay, I can give it my all"
　- Start the first minute by writing down calculation formulas or your name
　...Prepare your own "personal switch" like this.

● Summary: You can turn the demon into an "ally"

What is happening to students who cannot perform at their best on the big day
is not because they are mentally weak or because they haven't tried hard enough.

Rather,it is a phenomenon that occurs precisely because they are sensitive and taking it seriously.You don't need to be "possessed by a demon"; you just need to hone the technique of making that atmosphere your ally.
People who are strong on the big day don't place their resolve on passing, but rather


place their resolve on the "process of giving it their all" and "seeing it through to the end."

● Next time: What is another element of the "technique to give it your all"?

I believe there is one more important element here.
That is "Decision-making and judgment skills".

Even if you can do it on mock exams or in daily study, if your decision-making skills aren't developed for the real thing,you will stumble on time management, prioritization, and decisions on whether to re-solve problems.

I would like to talk about that next time.

Thank you for reading until the end today as well🌱
I hope this is even a little bit helpful.