I'm sorry to hear of your problem, but be assured, many people go through this, so it is not just you.
Knowing where the problem is would make a good starting point to avoid searching for what may seem like a mystery.
From what you have said, you do revise your answer sheet, so there are three possibilities that I can think of:
- Do you get distracted in general by something that is completely far removed from school and your studies? Is there something on your mind that places you under pressure and blinds you from your answers? I get the feeling that this could be true because of the sudden change that has happened lately. If you are an 'A' student, I am sure you did not become dumb over night. Are you feeling troubled? Try to pinpoint when this change began. Oes it have anything to do with a change in your life or your family? Answering these questions can give you a clue.
- One can put ones self under a great deal of stress while studying or in the exams. It may seem that your life ends here. I know the program you have undertaken might seem like a life's project, but the way you say "… maybe school is not for me" sounds like suicide than a decision. It is just a step in your life and one of the many roads that you can take. Your faith and knowledge that whatever Allah wills is better for you and will help you feel more relaxed. One does one's best and leaves the rest for Allah to arrange.
- Do you revise your answers with your previous answer at the back of your mind? Delete the first understanding of the question. Question every step you take in the answer and jot down your ideas from A – Z.
It is great to read a few ayats before the exam and before you start answering. Doing dhikr (remembrance of Allah), even during the exam when you feel distracted will help you to calm down, because sometimes we can make ourselves believed that we are not stressed and begin everything with bis-millah.
Give yourself plenty of time to pray before studying. Clear your heart and mind of any distraction when you study or sit for the exam. Make your sole intention a sincere one, for Allah to beneift you and others. Plan a bigger objective through your studies. Don't make the degree or mere personal interest be the objective.
There is something I would like to add from a believers experience. Ask for forgiveness and question yourself. Sometimes, it is with our insistence on focusing on a specific sin that our work and effort becomes wasted. Is your relationship with your parents okay? Is there something that you know you are doing that is wrong, but you can not quit?
- Never make decisions when you are troubled
- Follow through what you have begun, do not suddenly decide that you are a failure. Just do your best and go for the exams
- Maybe you will pass and at the end decide that there is something more important that you want to do? For example, some people like social work, or religious studies.
By quitting school you just lose hope and put an end to any opportunities that may come your way. Decisions are likely to be wrong when they are taken as a result of disappointment.
Focus on improving your relationship with Allah, rely on His guidance and make Istikhara (prayer for guidance) before any decision you take so that Allah can facilitate what is best for you.
These are the du`aa's that I used to make in my salat (prayers) and before studying:
"O Allah! Make useful for me what You taught me and teach me that which will be useful to me".
"O Allah! I ask You for the understanding of the prophets and the memory of the messengers, and those angels nearest to you".
"Allah make out tongues alive with rembrance of You, and our hearts with fear of You, and our secrets with obeiance of You".
"O Allah! I trust You with what I have read and I that which I have studied".
"O Allah! Be my back when I am in need of it".
"O Allah! Do whatever You wish. You are my Availer and Protector and the best of aids".
At the exams, say, "O Allah! Nothing is easy except what You have made easy. If You wish, You can make the difficult easy".
There is also the Ruqyawith the Qur`an that protects is from envy and all evil. For example recite Surat-ul Ikhlas, Surat-ul Falaq and Surat-ul Nas in the palm of your hands and pass your hands all over your body. Do this three times. Prophet Muhammad used to do this before he went to sleep. Surat-ul Fatiha is recited as a Ruqya. Do this and may Allah (SWT) protect and guide you.
For your further guidance, please try the following link:
• A Competitive Life
