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Anyone who has prepared public exams knows that the process itself involves much more than studying for an exam. Because passing a competitive examination implies, as a general rule, a stable employment future that the individual strongly desires, as well as the possibility of dedicating himself to a profession that has usually been chosen on a vocational basis; there are very few those who choose to prepare an exam for the oppositions without having interest in the job that this offers.

Some competitions have an economic cost and, above all, personal. Focusing for so long on a specific exam, with the amount of syllabus that some oppositions usually entail, has very important psychological consequences in human beings. We are not only talking about the amount of hours that must be dedicated to studying, but also about the stress on a mental level that involves knowing that everything depends on a single test ; that the result of years studying will be reflected in an exam, and that the rest of your future will depend on that. The students who engage in competitions often generate even generalized anxiety disorders because of this immense sacrifice that a competition can go as far.

There are students who take it differently, and who decide that the consequences of passing are not so bad, they do not try so hard to study, and they end up suspending call after call. These are not the ones we are talking about on this occasion, but those who are preparing for the profession that they really want to practice in the future. Do you know the psychological consequences that an opposition can end up having?

A long and very tiring process

When a person decides to take a competitive examination, he knows very well that he will have to spend hours and hours studying . On average, around six or eight hours a day, if you want to be fully prepared; studying so much has consequences that will be noticed quickly, both physically and mentally, because fatigue will be generalized. To this we must add that the study will not be, far from it, relaxed . The opponent will feel that each subject depends on reaching a goal, which is to pass an exam, and this is an immense pressure on their shoulders. So much so that, at times, it is this pressure that makes them fail, and not the lack of study.

Studying is lonely, very lonely. Even if it is done in a library , or accompanied by friends who are doing the same, the process of studying is done alone, and this makes the person feel slightly isolated from the rest. That is why it is recommended that you take breaks, that you continue to deal with friends, that you have free time ; But, sometimes, perfectionism makes its appearance and causes the person to feel that all the time they are not studying they are wasting opportunities, and that there will be consequences.

Opponents will begin to obsess. And while this may end up passing the exam, it is also negatively impacting your mental health! The cost of the oppositions can be such an exhaustion that on the day of the exam, the opponent could end up collapsing. That is why it is important to take the oppositions as a long-distance race, and not as a sprint.

The loneliness of the opponent, and the need to compete

To all of the above, it must be added that the competitive examinations are a very competitive process ; opponents will hesitate to lean on other opponents, or try to hide their knowledge and weapons as much as possible. The loneliness of the person who opposes will only increase in this aspect, because he will feel that he cannot even lean on those who are going through the same thing as him.

If you are currently opposing, and you have the feeling that you will not be able to cope on a psychological level because stress can cause you, or because you begin to have anxiety , the best thing you can do is go to a psychologist to help you. the best possible way. It will not always be easy, of course, but a specialist could make the path much smoother, teaching you techniques so that you relativize a little the real importance of these oppositions. 

Elle Mcdonald

I am Elle Mcdonald Specializations in Psychology . Graduated in psychology from the University of Tennessee in 2000. Diploma of Advanced Studies in the Department of Personality, Evaluation and psychological treatments with excellent results.

First Level of Master in Clinical Psychology at the Center for Behavioral Therapists (recognized with a scientific-professional nature by the College of Psychologists)

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