Preparation for competitive examinations with psychological support

This is how psychological support works in the process of preparing for competitive examinations.

Preparing for a selection process for competitive examinations is much more than memorizing.

Just as there is a difference between theory and practice when it comes to solving a problem, it is important to attend not only to the need to learn the syllabus, but also to the need to be in the best possible state when studying and facing the exam. That is why, psychological assistance can be very useful when preparing for a competitive examination.. Let's see how it does it.

Benefits of psychological support in oppositions

In what aspects do we benefit from having the help of a psychologist when preparing for competitive examinations? Here you will find a brief summary on this topic.

1. Helps with time management

Small changes in day-to-day habits can make a difference after several months of study. However, without help, it can be difficult to know the best way to organize your time.

Psychologists offer personalized attention to provide solutions adapted to the needs of each personDepending on their characteristics and the particularities of the context in which they live (amount of free time, family responsibilities, etc.).

In this way, the student can find a constant routine that allows him/her to get the most out of the time he/she has to study, and the positive effects of this accumulate day by day.

2. Helps manage stress

Stress is probably the most important psychological phenomenon to take into account when preparing for competitive examinations. in the preparation of competitive examinations. It serves to keep us alert about the need to prepare ourselves for a challenge that is getting closer every day, but if it accumulates in excess, these peaks of stress and anxiety can hinder our progress (in addition to making us have a very bad time).

In view of this, psychologists have a whole arsenal of tools at their disposal to prevent the onset of these problems. tools to prevent the onset of stress problems.. For example, we train people in relaxation exercises and in focusing on the objective, and we also give behavioral guidelines to create anti-stress habits before the discomfort appears.

3. Provides memorization and study routines

Mnemonic tricks and study routines help to make the most of the time spent reading notes and technical texts. Practically everyone can memorize at an astounding rate if they acquire the right methods.

4. Training in the resolution of questions

Psychological intervention also serves to prepare for the specific context of the exam.not only to face the study process. For this purpose, specific relaxation exercises and routines are proposed to favor the recovery of the memorized contents.

5. Train in knowledge reconsolidation exercises.

Practically nothing can be learned by simply reading it once. In order to understand and internalize the information, it is necessary to reviewBoth during the study sessions (reading the notes or the selected readings in the textbook or textbook several times) and outside of them, when the study material is not at hand.

Psychologists help students make the reconsolidation of knowledge a routine, something central to their learning habits.

What are the phases of the process?

Let's see how the process of psychological assistance develops for the preparation of competitive examinations:

Evaluation of potentialities

In this phase, psychologists study the skills and abilities that the student already has, in order to propose one way or another of approaching the challenge of preparing for the competitive examination. On the other hand, in this same phase we outline the "weaknesses" of the person, to work on strengthening these faculties.

Establishment of objectives

Once a description of the starting situation has been made, it is time to specify and set goals, it is time to specify and set goals. These objectives serve to give direction to the preparation process, and to see at any given moment whether or not we are on track, and to make corrections as soon as possible where necessary.

Action plan, monitoring and evaluation

This is the "body" of the preparation for the competitive examinations from the psychological point of view. It is the stage in which student and psychologist work together not only to reach the day of the test in the best possible state (intellectually and emotionally), but also to work on previous aspects, such as motivation, prevention of pathological habits of stress management, the ability to take advantage of moments of rest, etc.

Through evaluation, students are given feedback on their performance in the preparation for the in the preparation of the competitive examinations, always bearing in mind the objectives initially set.

Conclusion

Competitive examinations are always a challenge and over-relaxing or wasting time is not an option. However, that does not mean that the life of the competitive examination student has to be hell, nor that they have to assume that they cannot control their degree of discomfort or ability to adapt to this challenge. We psychologists provide support to be able to take the situation by the reins and minimize the chances of not passing the selection process.

Bibliographical references:

• de Quervain, D.J.; Roozendaal, B.; Nitsch, R.M.; McGaugh, J.L.; Hock C. (2000). "Acute cortisone administration impairs retrieval of long-term declarative memory in humans". Nature Neuroscience. 3 (4): 313 314.
• Dudai Y (2006). "Reconsolidation: the advantage of being refocused". Current Opinion in Neurobiology. 16 (2): 174 - 178.
• Schneiderman, N.; Ironson, G.; Siegel, S. D. (2005). "Stress and health: psychological, behavioral, and Biological determinants". Annual Review of Clinical Psychology. 1: 607 - 628.