The Guidance and counseling unit of the University for Development Studies has organized a three-day seminar for fresh men and women of the University across all of its campuses, who are preparing to write their very first exams under university conditions.

Hundreds of first year students from the University participated in the seminar which according to the counsellor in charge of the Tamale Campus, Alhaji Alhassan Hussein, was aimed at preparing the students to be able to deal with examination anxiety and other examination related stress.

For the entire duration of the seminar, various speakers, drawn from different departments and faculties of the university, stressed on the need for building positive mental attitude to overcome the fear of facing examination and attaining success with confidence. They said merely reading without understanding the contents will not help, adding that it is necessary to understand the contents and learn with keen concentration. They said, this can only be achieved through constant reading, discussions and practice.

In order to develop the courage to face the examinations fearlessly, it is very important to develop the habit of being regular at lectures and all other academic related activities. This, they said can lead to stress-free thinking even as the examinations are fast approaching.

It is also important to have balanced and nutritious food with right eating habits and hygiene. Students should have faith in oneself and courage that will surely lead to success.

After day two of the seminar, some of the fresh students said they were now fully prepared to “face” their very first examinations in the university, as they had had some confidence restored in them.

The Guidance and counselling unit of the university has been organizing such seminars every year for more than a decade.