ANXIETY, depression, hysteria, low self-confidence, the sense of waiting for something to happen but hoping it never does. That's not the feeling of an inexperienced soldier before a fierce battle but what Zhang Jie is feeling before the college entrance examination.

The examination days - June 7 and 8, - are not doomsdays but are, in fact, judgement days. They will decide if one can attend a university, which will later bring a job.

Day and night, Zhang Jie's family is mired in a tense atmosphere. No one appears anxious but everyone can feel the air is heavier with time passing.

Zhang's father tries to tell jokes at the table and others laugh. But at the end of the laugh, a silence begins to bite into their bones. Her mother cooks as many dishes as she can in the kitchen.

"I know they are trying to make me happy and relaxed. Mum makes many good dishes but I have no appetite," said Zhang.

The senior student from Shanghai Kongjiang High School is suffering from anxiety. She stopped surfing the Internet, shut down her cell phone and quit her routine swimming.

"All I can do now is stay in my room, staring at the scenery through the window," said Zhang.

"I hope the examination comes soon. I want to end the days like this no matter what the result will be," said Zhang.

Her mum still cooks dishes and her father has bought piles of nutrition pills and tonics.

It is Zhang's holiday, but there is no trace of holiday relaxation. Her school gave all seniors two weekdays off to relax, but they know they will not relax until the examination days end.

Experts said the parents should not interfere with the students' preparation too much because it will have a negative impact on their minds.

"I know some parents are really busy preparing their students for the coming examination. However, what they do will exacerbate the anxiety of their children," said Zhang Yunci, a teacher at Shanghai Jianqing High School who has 10 years of experience helping students get rid of anxiety before examinations.

Wang Qi, a senior student from Anshan High School, did not show as much anxiety as her classmates.

She has stayed at home for nearly two weeks while chicken pox plagued her school.

"Nothing to be worried about if you have made good preparation," said Wang, "I try to make life comfortable and easy by listening to music, reading newspapers and some books. After all, the examination comes only once," she said.