5 Exam Lies Students Tell Themselves (and How to Fix Them)

It’s one thing when people lie to you, but when you lie to yourself? That’s a much bigger problem.

Exam season makes even the smartest students whisper sweet nothings to themselves like: “I still have time.” “I’ll understand it better under pressure.”

But even little lies can sabotage your success.

Here are five common exam lies students tell themselves, and how to fix them before they mess with your grades:

1. “I Work Better Under Pressure”

Which often means: “I procrastinate and hope adrenaline will save me.”

While some students do manage under pressure, last-minute cramming usually leads to: Shallow understanding, high stress and burnout.

Fix it by:

• Starting early

• Breaking tasks into small, manageable parts

• Using the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes study, 5 minutes break)

• Reminding yourself: Real confidence comes from preparation, not pressure

2. “I Know This Already”

Gaslighting your brain, aren’t you?

Just because something looks familiar doesn’t mean you’ve mastered it.

Recognition does not equal recall

 Fix it by:

• Testing yourself actively: practice questions, quizzes, or explaining the topic aloud

• Teaching it to someone else

• Using the Feynman Technique: explain the concept in your own words like you're teaching a 5-year old

• If you can't explain it without your notes, you probably don’t know it well enough.

3. “I Still Have Time”

The ultimate lie.

There’s always time... until there isn’t.

Those “extra days” you’re banking on? They vanish faster than your sleep schedule during exams.

 Fix it by:

• Creating a reverse calendar: Start from your exam date and plan backwards

• Scheduling revision sessions now, not later

• Breaking topics into daily study goals

4. “The Exam Will Be Easy”

Ah, is that you, Overconfidence?

It can feel like a coping mechanism, but it can leave you underprepared for curveball questions.

Fix it by:

• Approaching every exam like it’s a boss level

• Reviewing past questions and tricky topics

• Preparing thoroughly, it’s better to be overprepared and relieved than underprepared and shocked

5. “Everyone Else is Just as Lost as I Am”

This might give you temporary comfort, but comparison is not preparation.

Other people being behind won’t magically help you score better.

 Fix it by:

• Focusing on your own race

• Tracking your personal progress, not others’

• Remembering: It’s not about being ahead of others, it’s about being ahead of your old self

Instead of believing lies that offer you momentary comfort, start telling yourself the truth that leads to real progress.

You don’t need pressure, panic, or pity, you need a plan, patience, and a bit of personal honesty.

You’ve got this, now go revise like you mean it.