Overcome that mental block

Published:April 23, 2007

SUMIT BHATTACHARJEE

Mental block is nothing but an obstructive state of mind that prevents the successful completion of a task. It can happen to anybody at anytime.

Florence Chadwick, the ace swimmer, had given up just half-a-mile away from the shore in her maiden attempt to cross the icy and shark infested Catalina Channel. Though she accomplished it in her second attempt, she was heard quoting that a fog prevented her from viewing her goal in the first attempt. Psychologists world over noted the incident as mental block. The fog was nothing but a mental block that she could not overcome it in her first attempt despite having almost reached her goal. "This is a common phenomenon and it happens to most students. They tend to get close to their goal and yet when it comes to achieving, it seems so far. This is nothing but mental block," says A.S. Prasad, Director of CTC Communications. With the EAMCET scheduled for May 4, he points out that students have to overcome this syndrome to excel in the examination. "Many students panic at the sight of the examination paper, while some just forget what they have studied. Mental block is nothing but an obstructive state of mind that prevents the successful completion of a task. It can happen to anybody at anytime," he says. According to him the process of mental blockage starts much before the examination. "Most students experience some sort of anxiety, uneasiness or apprehensions - before, during or after the examinations. This is due to worry, stress, over-concern or fear. It has been proved that anxieties reduce the functional capacity of the brain. They create a kind of `noise' or `mental static' that eventually blocks the ability to retrieve data and that affects our normal reasoning and comprehension skills," says he.

How to overcome it?

In a nutshell one can overcome it by adopting a more systematic approach and by staying calm. But here are a few pointers given by Mr. Prasad:Divide the course into blocks of time and systematically organise your revision. However, one should not be obsessive about revision and forget to eat and sleep. Good amount of sleep coupled with timely food and occasional breaks to recharge the batteries can work wonders on the mind and physical frame. Device your own study method. ighlighting and bulleting of points can help in improving the retrieving ability. Most students set into the mental block once the retrieving ability slacks. The technique of mind mapping also helps. The night before: Do not go for extensive study. Keep it as light as possible. Perhaps just glancing through the highlighted points. Gather exam equipments like pens, ID cards and calculator.Check the transport arrangement. Spend some time in doing what you like the best. Like listening to some light music or gardening. Light food and adequate sleep.On the day: Eat a good breakfast and a light lunch, whichever suits your exam time.Check the exam equipments once again.Arrive at the examination hall at least 20-30 minutes before the exam time.Glance through the main points and instructions in the question paper.Synchronise your watch with the clock in the examination hall.During examination: Read the instructions carefully. Note the choice that you have.Attempt the questions that you know the best to build up confidence. Make a mental note of the time you intend to spend for each question. If you get panicky, take a few deep breaths or do a little stretching to relax your muscles. After examination: Avoid post mortem. Unwind the way you like the most.

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