Under the supervision of the President of the University of Basrah, Professor Dr. Muhannad Jawad Kazem, and with the support of the Dean of Al-Zahraa College of Medicine, Assistant Professor Dr. Jawad Ramadan Fadel, and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Lecturer Dr. Ihsan Mardan Hammoud, Al-Zahraa College of Medicine organized a scientific seminar in collaboration with the Center for Development and Continuing Education and the Continuing Education Unit under the title "The Impact of Anxiety on Students During Exams."
The Importance of Academic Anxiety as a Topic
Exam-related anxiety is one of the most prevalent psychological challenges among students, particularly those in their early academic years, as it directly affects concentration, comprehension, and academic performance. This seminar, held on May 14, 2025, aimed to highlight the psychological and educational factors contributing to increased anxiety and present effective strategies for managing it.
Speakers and Participants
The seminar featured lectures by Dr. Du’aa Saadi Salem and Dr. Zainab Mazahim Mohammed, with the preparatory committee—Dr. Mayada Abdullah and Dr. Imani Naama—responsible for planning and organizing the event to ensure maximum academic benefit for attendees.
Exam Anxiety and Its Impact on Academic Performance
The lectures explained how academic anxiety can hinder students’ academic performance in various ways, including:
- Reduced concentration due to heightened stress levels and increased secretion of the hormone cortisol.
- Weakened working memory, where anxiety interferes with information processing and retrieval.
- Avoidance behaviors, such as postponing study sessions or hesitating to attend exams, negatively impacting academic achievement.
Effective Strategies for Managing Academic Anxiety
The seminar introduced several scientifically backed techniques to help students overcome anxiety, including:
1. Time management: Proper planning of study sessions to reduce psychological pressure.
2. Relaxation exercises: Practices such as deep breathing and meditation to balance neural activity.
3. Cognitive restructuring: Training students to reframe negative thoughts into positive affirmations that enhance self-confidence.
The Role of Educational Institutions in Student Support
The seminar emphasized the importance of providing a supportive academic environment for students. The Dean of Al-Zahraa College of Medicine highlighted the need to strengthen psychological counseling programs and organize regular workshops aimed at improving students’ mental health, especially in fields requiring high levels of concentration and challenge, such as medicine.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The seminar concluded that addressing exam anxiety requires a combination of individual and institutional efforts. It recommended adopting Al-Zahraa College of Medicine's model as an effective approach that could be implemented in other faculties to enhance students' psychological resilience and academic success. Additionally, it stressed the importance of supporting local research that measures the effectiveness of the proposed strategies to ensure optimal benefits.
