Exam Stress, Anxiety and Hardships

With coursework deadlines and exams fast approaching, it can feel like your whole world is coming to an end. The first question of many conversations is now ‘how is revision going?’ or ‘when’s your exams?’. It’s like the whole of Cambridge has switched into this academic machine and we are slowly turning into revision zombies. Of course exams are important - they are probably how most of us got here and also the last academic venture before people graduate. 

But with this importance comes the negative bodily reactions - the stress, the constant jittering, the insomnia, that weird feeling in your tummy. Exam anxiety can be horrible. And like I said it’s a universal thing for everyone. People experience it differently but overall this angst is just a natural way of our bodies reacting to important situations. I am not an academic weapon nor a scholar - I’m far from both those things - but I did go through possibly my worst exam season ever last year so I just wanted to share a few Islamically-rooted things about exams and hardships in general that insha’Allah at least some people can benefit from, if not just myself. 

Contextualising the problem 

There are countless examples of challenges and trials experienced by people in the stories of the Quran. As hard as that one Tripos paper may be, imagine the difficulty of being thrown into a well as Yusuf (AS) had been, or having to speak up against and challenge possibly one of the most tyrannical rulers of all time like Musa (AS), or even hiding in a cave with nothing but a spider’s web to cover you as it happened for our Prophet (SAW) and his companion. Most of us will never comprehend the difficulties of those situations. Nonetheless these stories clearly show that all humans, even the best of us, experience hardship. So understand that you have been blessed - even getting to sit an exam in one of the best academic institutions is a mere dream for most of the world so be grateful that Allah has tested you through this and not through the many other ways it could have been done.

This should not be used to dismiss your current stresses but realise that you are not alone in your current hardships - you are not the first person to experience it nor the last. And just like your hardship-predecessors, Allah is able to take you out of your difficulties too. Part of the beauty of the Quran is that there are similarities in the stories so that we can benefit from them and know how we should deal with our own situations. So what is the common theme throughout all the Prophetic stories on how they dealt with their hardships? It was primarily through tawakkul - trusting in Allah.

Tawakkul 

I couldn’t possibly start off in any other way than to talk about the tawakkul -  putting your trust in Allah, the sustainer and maintainer. There is so much to unpack with the concept of tawakkul and I am by no means qualified to do so. One aspect that I find comforting is knowing with hundred percent certainty that it is all through the qadr of Allah that you managed to get to the point you are at now, and that it is only Him who will take you out of it - so who else do you need? Allah promises us that ‘with hardship comes ease’ [Quran 94:5-6] so be patient and know that whatever hardship you have, academic or not, that there is always goodness that is prescribed for you later. 

Intentions 

This really helped me get through revision, which is why I put this here. Revising consistently everyday for a whole month is difficult, so remind yourself why you are doing it. Maybe it is so that you can get a job to provide for a future family or even just to make your parents happy. Regardless, we all have reasons for coming here. Frame your thought-process in a way so that you intend to do good with the beneficial knowledge, and ask Allah to bestow it upon you. Through this, your academic struggles themselves become a form of worship and a test of faith. Indeed, ‘actions are judged by their intentions’ [Bukhari and Muslim] so remind yourself of them and this can help motivate you to read that extra research article, watch that lecture or review that extra deck of ANKI you’re really putting off. 

Trying the best you can

This tip is mainly for the procrastinators, but also for those who feel so hopeless in themselves that they stop working. Exams are hard, but just like before Allah has taken people through even worse and they have made it out on the other side. Until you open that exam up - you have no clue what could be on the side of that page (or moodle link), and then even after that how the examiners will mark it. So have faith and try your best until then. Do what you can now because you never know what will be helpful. 

‘Allah has prescribed Ihsan (perfection, proficiency) in all things…’ [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1409]. Although the hadith referred mainly to the slaughtering of animals, it could be applied more broadly. As muslims, we should strive to be the best we can in all domains of life - including academia. Multiple times in the Quran, Allah says he loves the people of Ihsan. So work hard and revise so that you can do as well as you are capable of and become a person of Ihsan. 

Support groups

One thing that we often take for granted are the amazing family and friends we have around us. When we’re anxious sometimes we forget that there are people there who are willing to listen to us (If you really think you have no one, the ISoc welfare officers are always there!). So reach out if you need help and don’t be afraid to ask. 

But this also works both ways. Checking up on your fellow friends and family members when they are going through a possible rough time in their life is one of the fundamental aspects of fostering oneness within the community. If one has the ability to help someone else - do it with the best intentions. You can help through so many ways: delivering friends snacks or meals when they are busy working to a deadline or sharing lecture notes and essay plans together. Remember the hadith ‘None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself’ (Sahih Muslim 45a). Exam season can be stressful but don’t forget to treat everyone well, Allah won’t ever take anything away from you for doing so. 

Ultimate goal

The last thing that came to mind was what our ultimate purpose is. Adam (AS) being sent to this world was a hardship in itself. The world has never been easy for anyone. Life is full of exams and hardships possibly for that reason. But knowing that Allah tests those who he loves the most as a means to bring them closer to Him, should be a source of comfort for whenever you go through one yourself. Work immensely hard but never compromise your relationship with Allah for it. Take well-deserved breaks, but don’t do the same with Allah - because without His love, it doesn’t matter what the result of that one exam is.

Dua’a

There is so much that could be said here and I am sure there are many YouTube videos out there on this subject. I think the most important thing is to realise that your dua’a should be a way of bringing you closer to Allah - it isn’t just a wish list of things that you want. Understand that Allah knows your wants better than yourself and that He also knows what’s best for you. Raise your hands and plead to your Creator, for your success in this life and especially hereafter and He is the only one who can grant you such success. 

When it comes to what dua’as to ask, remember that dua’a should be a personalised act of worship. We each go through unique walks of life and have different problems, needs and wants, so open your heart and ask and surely Allah will give you it, if not better. Nonetheless dua’as of the Quran and hadith constructed by the best of creation, our Prophets and messengers, are a good starting point. 

I pray that Allah blesses all of us with the ability to do well in exams and overcome any of the other hardships in life. Remember that ‘Allah does not burden a soul with more than it can bear’ [Quran 2:286]. You will manage, regardless of the outcomes! Whatever has been written for you has been, so stay hopeful, be grateful and know that everything will work out in the best way for you. Comfort will come soon twice as much as the hardships.  :) 

See you on the other side! 

Other related verses which may be beneficial: 

[9:40] 

[20: 25-35]

[21: 83-4]

Please forgive me for any unintentional mistakes and short-comings in this text.