It is an honour and a challenging task to become a Company Secretary (CS) by doing the CS course. Although it creates a possibility to have a successful career in corporate governance, law, and compliance, it is associated with high academic demands.
Stress and anxiety are well known among CS Candidates particularly when exams are around the corner. However, the good news is that each of the fear can be dealt with effectively depending on the attitude that is taken towards it.
In this blog, we will be outlining the five major fears that CS students experience and how they can be addressed.
1. Fear of not completing the curriculum
The Company Secretary course, whether at the Executive or Professional level, has a large syllabus. It is common for students to be concerned about the fact that they may not be able to finish it before the exam. This fear often results in stress and this is a known hindrance to concentration and memory.
How to Manage It:
- Create a Study Plan: This is why the study plan should be well structured. Divide the syllabus into sections and create daily, weekly, and monthly objectives. Make sure that you spend more time on the areas that are complex and need more comprehension.
- Prioritize Key Topics: It is always good to ensure that all the topics are taught but some are more relevant in the exam than the others. These are the topics to start with and focus on. It is possible to look at the past papers in order to identify the pattern and distribution of questions.
- Revision and Mock Tests: Do not attempt to introduce new topics in the last weeks of the course, use the time to review what has been covered in the course. Mock tests should be conducted frequently so that you can know the areas that you need to focus more on.
This way you will feel much more in charge and assured that you can indeed get through the syllabus.
2. Fear of Exam failure
The lack of self-confidence is one of the most prevalent issues that CS students face, and it is the fear of failure.
The CS exams are very comprehensive and the expectations are high, this makes many of the aspirants to spend many nights without sleep.
However, focusing on the potential of failure may have an impact on your productivity and psychological state.
How to Manage It:
- Change Your Mindset: Do not think about the possibility of failing but rather think positively. This is the time to recall all the efforts that have been made and to rely on the preparation. Have confidence in your ability to make it through the exam.
- Visualize Success: Use visualization skills. Imagine yourself entering the exam room and answering all the questions correctly and then passing the exam. This assists in the reduction of stress and increases self-esteem.
- Accept Mistakes: It is true that nobody is perfect. One has to be ready to admit that sometimes one is wrong and not all answers are going to be perfect. It is the general knowledge and performance on the paper that counts. In case you make a mistake, don’t overthink it—just let it go with your mind being clear.
In this way, you can decrease the pressure of fearing failure and come to the exam with a positive attitude.
3. Fear of improper time management
Most CS students have a concern of time when they are taking the exam. Due to the nature of the papers, time management is of essence especially since the papers are detailed.
This fear makes the candidate panic and this leads to poor performance since he or she has not completed the exam.
How to Manage It:
- Practice with Timed Mock Exams: The only way to deal with this fear is through practice and this can only be done through constant practice. Sit full-length mock exams under time-bound conditions to mimic the actual exam. This will help you to familiarise yourself with the time constraints.
- Time Allocation Strategy: Formulate a plan on how to manage time during the exam. For example, spend the first few minutes going through all the questions and then spend time on each question in proportion to the marks it carries.
- Don’t Get Stuck on One Question: If a question is too time consuming, then skip it and go to the next one. If you don’t find what you are looking for, you can always revisit the site at a later time. Studying is time-consuming, and getting stuck on a question makes a student lose time and become anxious.
If you practice enough and if you manage your time well, you can be sure that you will complete the exam before the time is up.
4. Fear of forgetting after learning
This is usually the case with students who develop a feeling that they will forget some of the information they have learned especially when taking the exam.
This can be especially problematic for subjects such as Company Law and Corporate Governance where it is important to remember sections and clauses.
How to Manage It:
- Use Mnemonics and Acronyms: Another technique of information retention is through the use of mnemonics or acronyms. This technique is most effective when used to memorize lists or sequences.
- Regular Revision: The process of reviewing is the most effective way of retaining information. It is also important to review your notes from time to time especially when you are close to the exams. The more you revise, the better you will be able to recall concepts during the examination.
- Stay Calm During the Exam: If you have a feeling that you have left something during the exam, do not panic and get nervous. Sometimes it is only when you stop and concentrate that information is returned to you. Stress is known to inhibit memory; therefore, the candidate should remain calm.
If you learn how to revise effectively and manage stress, you will not have to worry about forgetting what you have studied during the exam.
5. Fear of peer pressure and comparison.
In a competitive area such as Company Secretaryship, one is likely to develop a tendency of comparing with fellow students.
The pressure to perform better than other students or as per the expectations of the family can be very much pressuring. This often results in self-doubt and anxiety.
How to Manage It:
- Focus on Your Own Journey: Try to remember that each person’s experience is different and that is perfectly okay. It means that no matter how much others are moving ahead or getting better grades, it does not take away your hard work or talent.
- Limit Social Media Usage: Social media can cause people to make unnecessary comparisons. In your preparation for the exams, avoid spending too much time on social media where you are likely to stumble across posts about other students’ achievements or study schedules. However, do not get distracted by what others are doing, but rather, keep to your own objectives.
- Seek Support: If peer pressure is becoming too much, then it is high time you sought the help of a mentor, family member or friend. In some cases, it is good to share your problems with someone so that the load can be shared.
5 Company Secretary Exam Fears of peer pressure can be eliminated by concentrating on personal development and controlling expectations, which will help to remain committed to the set objectives.
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