How to be a Christian during exams
Exam periods can have people running around like headless chickens. I think you would agree that the number of people that are calm and composed during an exam period is always very little. We are quick to think that they are faking it or that they are just much smarter than the rest of us. Whatever the reason is, what is true is that we generally want to be as composed and calm before writing an exam or throughout the exam period. But that is not all for Christians, above composure and calmness, we should strive to continue living as Christians during exam time. And to help you with that, some of the TBT staff members came up with a couple of things we found helpful when we were once in your shoes.
Remember to apply them to your lives while looking to God for help to do so.
Include God - do not exclude him
I am sure you can relate to the idea of the exam period as an exclusive period-exam prep and nothing else. Our tendency is to be so focused on our upcoming exams that we shut out everything and everyone that has nothing to do with our studies. And unfortunately, God is usually the first person to be shut out and excluded from our preparations. We often say that we do not have time to read our Bibles or to pray because we can use that time for something more urgent- God is not going anywhere, he can wait.
Although there is some truth in this - yes, God is not going anywhere, he never calls us to deprioritise him depending on our circumstances. Instead, God calls us to keep him as our first priority regardless of our circumstances. This is what we are told in Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
This verse calls Christians, even those that have exams to prepare for, to do everything for Jesus and in his name. The exclusion of God is not an option. How can this look like for you practically? Here are some of our suggestions:
Read your Bible and pray before you begin studying.
You need God’s help to be able to understand what you will be studying, for the energy you will need to study, and for you to remember and apply what you are learning. You do not have to do this alone, why not invite your study partners or those in your RES to pray and read along with you?
2. Schedule your studying around your bible and reading and church time.
As mentioned above, God calls us to prioritize him in all circumstances. This means that going to church and serving other Christians does not stop because we are writing exams. Instead, it should be of outmost importance to us, we plan everything else around it to make time for it even when we are busy.
Exam anxieties
Anxiety can be caused by several things, and for some people, they experience it for most parts of their lives. Exams are a big cause of anxiety for students and although we do not want to minimize the difficulties people experience, we can agree that some of the anxiety we experience during the exam period is caused by what we do wrong. For instance, not preparing in advance, not giving our bodies and brains enough time to rest, and not trusting in God. How can we approach these issues as Christians? Here are some thoughts:
Study in advance and rest
Proverbs 6:6-8 says this:
Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
This proverb talks about an ant that takes initiative and diligently plans in advance. This is an ant whose ways we are called to consider so that we can be as wise as she is.
I am sure you do not think that this is the advice of the century, but if you have ever started an assignment or exam preparations early, you were probably much calmer and had a better understanding of your work than you would have if you had started two days before or the night before. Know your exam dates and make a study timetable that will see you going through all your study material as much and as deeply as you need to.
If you are planning what and when to study having all your study material and exam dates in mind, you are most likely going to have time to let your brain and body get the rest they need to keep you going. If you are prone to overworking, remember that rest is healthy and good for you. Get enough exercise, sleep, and eat well.
2. Trust God
A lack or an absence of trust in God typically causes us to be anxious about things. When we do not trust that God cares for us, that he sees us, and that he knows what we need and what we are going through, we begin to panic, live in uncertainty, lose hope, and expect the worst outcomes. However, that is not what God wants of us. There is a lot we can be uncertain about, but God’s love and care for his children is never something he wants us to doubt. Instead, he wants us to trust him and to show that by going to him with our anxieties and fears about exams and anything else. He guarantees us a peace that surpasses all understanding if we go to him (Philippians 4:6-7).
Will all these suggestions be easy to apply and take on as habits? No, they will not be easy, especially if your habits are very different from what was just described. Whether or not this will be challenging for you, go to your Father and ask him to help you to do everything for his sake and for his glory. He is sure to answer your prayers because of Jesus.
