10 Ways to Beat that Exam Stress
Welp, it’s that time of year again! It’s time to put your skills to the test. Even for the most well-prepared student, finals are never fun. And the pressure to perform gets to us all. I mean, you have to display what you’ve learned over the course of an entire term. And you have just two hours to do it! You walk into the exam hall, sleep-deprived with sweaty palms. One look at the question paper and you draw a blank! Sounds familiar?
The competition around grades and college seats makes it easy to forget this, but an exam is simply a way to assess what you’ve understood. A bad grade should not affect your self-esteem. It is simply an opportunity to understand your strengths and weaknesses and work at getting better.
That doesn’t mean you should slack off. Grades may not be all there is to life, but as long as you’re a student, they’re pretty important. So take a deep breath. Here are some ways you can make those exams seem a little less daunting.
Start Early
We’ve all done it. Crammed an entire term’s worth of material in a night, spilled it out on our answer sheets, and promptly forgotten it all the next day. The point of learning isn’t to mug up a text book and crack an exam, but to internalize concepts. Have a plan. Start preparing well in advance. Pay attention in class, divide your portion into small, manageable sections, and revise a little every day. This way, you won’t get overwhelmed when the exams inch closer.
10 Ways to Beat that Exam Stress
Welp, it’s that time of year again! It’s time to put your skills to the test. Even for the most well-prepared student, finals are never fun. And the pressure to perform gets to us all. I mean, you have to display what you’ve learned over the course of an entire term. And you have just two hours to do it! You walk into the exam hall, sleep-deprived with sweaty palms. One look at the question paper, and you draw a blank! Sounds familiar?
The competition around grades and college seats makes it easy to forget this, but an exam is simply a way to assess what you’ve understood. A bad grade should not affect your self-esteem. It is simply an opportunity to understand your strengths and weaknesses and work at getting better.
That doesn’t mean you should slack off. Grades may not be all there is to life, but as long as you’re a student, they’re pretty important. So take a deep breath. Here are some ways you can make those exams seem a little less daunting.
Start Early
We’ve all done it. Crammed an entire term’s worth of material in a night, spilled it out on our answer sheets, and promptly forgotten it all the next day. The point of learning isn’t to mug up a text book and crack an exam, but to internalise concepts. Have a plan. Start preparing well in advance. Pay attention in class, divide your portion into small, manageable sections, and revise a little every day. This way, you won’t get overwhelmed when the exams inch closer.
Source: Favim.com
Take breaks...
Have you been reading that one chapter for hours, but can’t seem to get anywhere with it? It’s time to get up and take a break. Studies show that taking breaks can actually help you focus better on tasks. If you take a short power nap, or go outside, stretch your legs and take a walk. You’ll feel refreshed, and be able to work far more efficiently.
Source: candydsgn.tumblr.com
...but not too many.
A break shouldn’t be an excuse to procrastinate. Your favourite show may beckon, the weather may be maddeningly beautiful, even staring at the wall will seem more interesting to you. But it’s important to know when to get back to work. For those of us with no self-control, timers and productivity apps like Forest Focus and Self Control come to the rescue. If your breaks still stretch far too long, you can use the Pomodoro technique - for every twenty-five minutes of work, you earn a five-minute break!
Source: californiadeca.org
Get enough sleep
As much as you think that all-nighter will help you, your brain works best when it has had its rest. Not getting enough sleep will negatively affect your memory, and also cause your stress levels to go up. Nope, napping during the day won’t help you catch up on that sleep debt. You won’t be able to concentrate very well when you most need to. So, turn in early, and get those eight hours of rest.
Source: Feed Yes
Stay Hydrated
It’s easy to forget to drink water when you’re immersed in a task, but it’s important to fill up on your daily eight glasses. Dehydration will quickly lead to you feeling lethargic, irritable, and unmotivated. Staying hydrated alleviates anxiety, which helps you concentrate and improves your performance. Keep sipping on water as you study, and don’t forget to take water into the examination hall. A study conducted in the UK showed that students who drank water during the exam session fared better.
Source: Phys.org
Eat Clean
As tempting as they may be, stay away from those pizzas and colas when it’s exam time. Sugary, processed foods may give you all the energy that comes with a sugar rush, but it’s only temporary, and you’ll find yourself in a lethargic slump soon after. Don’t starve either! Your brain needs fuel, so eat regular nutritious meals. Be sure not to skip breakfast on the day of the exam. If you need some snacks to help you stay alert during your study sessions, opt for something fresh and healthy like fruits, nuts, or yoghurt.
Source: Convenience Store News
Exercise
It’s important to fit in at least 20 minutes of exercise into your daily study schedule. The Greeks had it right all along - a healthy mind in a healthy body. A walk or a short workout can work wonders for your memory. Exercise releases endorphins, which elevate your mood, reduce stress, and help your brain be at its best. It also releases dopamine and serotonin, which make you happier and promote learning.
Source: Oprah.com
Stay organised
On the day of the exam, you don’t want the added stress of wondering whether you’ve packed your geometry box, or if your pens actually work. It’s best to have all your supplies ready well in advance. Don’t take a chance on those old pens that may run out of ink. Keep extra stationery handy. Decluttering your desk before you study is a great way to calm your mind, and ensure you have everything you need at hand.
Source: S Moda - El País
Don’t revise just before the exam
If you are one of those students flipping through your books until the exam bell rings, you need to stop. Close your books at least an hour before you write your paper. Chances are, you won’t remember what you’ve skimmed at the last minute. Instead, use the time to breathe, relax, and mentally go over all the information you’ve studied.
Source: Tumblr
Remember...a bad grade is not the end of the world
Exams will be around as long as you’re a student. Don’t let a bad grade get you down. It is not a reflection of your self-worth, and does not define your talent or potential. Instead, use the opportunity to reflect on what went wrong - you may need to improve your writing speed, practice a little more, or it could simply be a case of bad luck! Understand why you got that grade, and how you can improve. It’s hard, but you must not compare yourself to others. Each learner is different. Focus on bettering yourself. Remember, if you already knew it all, why would you even be learning?
Source: Sharenator
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