Those three fears

As a 'sincere' student I had three fears, Mathematics, history and exams.  Mathematics and history were quite manageable as they were made easier by continuous hefty practise (math) and by irksome memorisation of dates and names (history) but the very mention of exams gave me a chill. 
                           Math seemed to me  like an Everest that can never be climbed. I always wondered why "Elementary math" is called so when it includes complex stuff of all sorts like arithmetic, algebra, geometry,  trigonometry and so on. My invention was that Math teachers were as sharp and edgy as the figures and geometric shapes that they demonstrated with 'examples, explanations or experiments'. I pined for a math teacher who is as smooth and easy-going as a circle. I considered geometry box to be more of a weapon for protection from 'harmful beings'  and less of a tool kit to measure and draw geometric shapes. I was sent for math tuitions when I was in tenth. One month through that I understood its all about practise. My fear faded away eventually and I scored good marks in final exams.
                          History was an all time 'boring' subject for me. The very thought of it made me yawn. "History meant 'His story' then why don't we learn only a single individuals story?" was the thought that alwasy kept my mind engaged in history lectures. I was really lazy to memorise the dates and names involved in the syllabus but had no other choice. I hated mugging up stuff but I had to as there was no other go. After all it was a matter of failing or passing in exams. I found myself on a fantasy ride while going through the portions. I imagined myself fighting battles, living in castles, signing treaties, and what not. I wished I could have a glorious life like the historic figures. These fantasies were the only thing that I liked about learning history. My fear for historical dates and names persist.
                          Exams were no less than battlefields for me. As soon as I got into the exam hall my thought would be when I would finish answering the questions and slip out to a peaceful environment. I was too afraid to seek anybody's help or to cheat using 'chits'.  First thing that I would do on getting the question paper was estimating how much time I need to understand the question asked and jot down the required answers. By passage of time I now manage to finish exams in about half or 2/3rd of the allotted time.
                          I discarded math completely out of my education for 'good' after I passed out of 10th class but history and exams kept bothering me even after that. Well, as time passed away I learned how to deal with these three fears of mine but I think that I still get uncomfortable and restless just by the mention of "Mathematics, history, or exams"