Handling exam stress is not only about
studies and exam preparation. It is also about self belief and taking
small steps to overcome problems. Students can fail to do well if they
fail to cope with stress. Exams are not life-threatening, yet we treat
them like they are. See the lighter side of life, do the best that you
can. Parents should guide their children in planning. Parents must
provide right kind of motivation and a conductive environment.
* Make a revision plan or timetable. Doing so will help you prioritize your work. But be realistic!
* If you can concentrate well in the
morning then do most of your studying before lunch, not late at night
when you can’t concentrate. If you can study at night then study at
later half of the day, but go to bed at reasonable hour and get enough
sleep.
* If you really cannot concentrate it
may be because you are tired, hungry, or just bored. Take a break and
come back to it 10 minutes later. Short bursts of concentrated revision
are often better than hours of staring at the same page.
* Stay away from distractions that could
cause loss of concentration or unwanted anxiety. Stick to activities
that do not break your study continuum. Make sure you spend some time
relaxing and having fun.
* Spend time with people who have a positive effect. Avoid negative thoughts.
* Study always in quiet area away from
noises and people in the house. Make sure your desk is tidy and
organized as it will enable you to find all relevant information at one
place instead of searching all over the house.
* Write down key concepts you have learned on small sheets and paste them around your house.
* Keep your mind focused on what you are
studying in that moment, avoid multi-tasking or studying multiple
subjects at the same time.
* The quickest and most effective way of elimination stress is to shut down your eyes and take deep breaths.
* Avoiding foods with large amounts of
sugar, eat a breakfast that is high in protein, eat green veggies at
lunch and dinner, and drink mint tea throughout the day instead of
coffee.
* Get yourself outside and spend some
time in nature. Being in nature is a simple and effective way of
decreasing stress and increasing your focus which will help you when you
return to the books.
* Study to learn, not for high marks –
Avoid focusing on the end result, and what grade you need to get on the
exam while you are studying. Education is about learning; if you put
your focus on the experience of learning, then the pressure to achieve a
certain result diminishes. As pressure diminishes, productivity
increases.
Hence to be in a position to write the
exam in a focused manner you have to be alert and that will not happen
if you have up all night panicking and constantly wondering if you will
finish your portion. So start your studies well in advance to ensure
that you just have to flip through your books and familiarize yourself
with important points at the last minute.
So exams when taken with a calm and composed mind can be easy.
