Managing External Exam Anxiety: Breaking the Cycle of Worry and Rumination

As external assessments approach Queensland students, manystudents may find themselves trapped in cycles of worry and rumination. These repetitive negative thoughts can lead to heightened stress and anxiety, making exam preparation even more challenging. St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney has create a useful tool to combat this called the "Three Rules of Thumb":

1. recognise when your thoughts aren't leading to action
2. avoid unanswerable questions
3. limit overthinking to less than 30 minutes.

Students are encouraged to proactively address these patterns to stay focused and calm during exams.

This strategy isn't just helpful for exam preparation, but for all areas of life, including navigating friendship challenges, managing social media pressure, or dealing with future uncertainties.