Methods for avoiding discouragement?

Plan it out to completion before you start. And when I get stuck I work on parts I can complete and the go finish up the part I was stuck on.

Just do it small bit by small bit. Also, make a physical checklist so you can feel good by checking things off. Take breaks if you need them and make a study group! What specifically are you studying for?

Break the task down into measurable increments. Say “I will study for half an hour before dinner.” or “I will study for an hour, and then watch an hour of TV (or play video games for an hour or listen to music for an hour)”.

Alternate studying with rewards.

@JessK, I’m studying for an accounting final exam that’s tomorrow.

Hm. I don’t really have any experience with accounting.

You divide up the subject material into topics. Then you divide the number of topics into the amount of time you have, then you devote that amount of time to each topic. If some topics are more important, you can give them extra time. When you time for the topic is done, you move on, whether you have finished it or not. If you have extra time, you go back and do the important things again.

Make your essay something that you are totally familiar with. Your research is already in your brain, so put it on paper.

All of the above @the_overthinker. I would also suggest staying away from friends you know will bring you down “Oh I can’t do this!”, “Oh I haven’t done enough work”, you know the type of person. We all have one of them in our group. Minimise pre-exam stress by making sure you know where you are going and get everything you have to take ready the night before. Pens, pencils, your ID card etc. Think positively. Once you have done as suggested above, you have done the best you can. Go into the exam with confidence and do the best you can. Do some breathing exercises if you feel yourself getting stressed. Stop and go for a walk in the fresh air and then get back into it. Keep that positive head talk going and don’t get into the ‘oh I can’t do this’ stuff.

Come back and let us know how you go and when it is over, celebrate with your friends.

Remember-a couple of things, if you did your best through the course, you’ll do your best during the final. One’s best should never be measured against someone else’s best. Nor should you carry around regrets based on what you think looks like a failure on your end. Failure is the lack of trying. Mistakes made that teach you lessons, are no longer mistakes.
There are some good studies out there that tell students to break the course down into increments, specific topics down into smaller portions, smaller sections down into tidbits. Your brain will love you for that.
Just a note-suck on peppermint while you study and then while taking the test. There is a theory that it will help with your recall. Always worked for me.
You’ll do fine. Take a breath. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not capable. Telling someone they’re not capable of doing something is a really good way to be wrong.

Realize that things worth doing will require work and if you want the outcome you will have to work for it. Always have faith in the process and even if you struggle temporarily know and believe that in the end you will be successful.

Wow I really love @annewilliams5‘s answer.
@the_overthinker I’m also the same way with studying and with classes. It’s hard not to be pessimistic at times when there’s so much on the line.

But I agree with what these flutherers are saying. Methods my differ from individual to individual like for instance for me, breaking down each topic to a time increment on when I should study for each one makes me feel antsy that I have to finish covering that specific topic during that time period so that kinda makes me freak out more. However a simple to-do list always reminds me that this is what I can get done and I usually feel motivated after being able to check the first thing on the list.

Hope everything went well!

Use logic:
If you don’t finish your task on time, the consequences will be even worse.
If you do good, you will feel good, and life will be good because now you have one less thing to worry about.

When you feel “stuck”, ask yourself: “what is preventing me from achieving what I want to achieve?”, “why?”. Keep asking “why” until you nail down the main reason, then deal with it via logic.