10 ways to deal with examination stress
Music is perhaps the most effective stress buster. Tune in to your favourite music in between studies and feel relaxed.
Exam stress is not something you should take lightly, given that too much pressure can lead to severe depression which might end in suicide attempts.
“Stress produces definable mental and physiological reactions in the body. Mild stress is beneficial in cognitive tasks and performance but persistently high stress may lead to neuropsychiatric illnesses like anxiety and depression,” says a report by National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
Here are 10 ways in which you can beat the exam stress:
1. Listen to music:
Music is perhaps the most effective stress buster. Tune in to your favourite music in between studies and feel relaxed.
“Listening to music can create a positive and productive environment by elevating your mood and encouraging you to study more effectively and for longer. Classical music is recommended as the best type of music to boost your brain power but ambient music can work too,” reports examtime.com.
2. Eat and drink well:
Students often tend to stop eating properly or drinking adequate water out of anxiety while preparing for exams.
“Keeping your blood sugar levels steady so that you don’t have energy dips during the day… Staying hydrated with lots of water, low-cal sodas or herbal teas is key to feeling alert,” suggests stressbusting.co.uk.
3. Have a good night’s sleep:
Students often study throughout the night during exams, which takes a toll on their health in the long run.
“Don’t revise right before switching your light off for a nights sleep. Give yourself time to wind down to make sure you sleep well without constant worry preventing you from dropping off,” said The Huffington Post in an article.
4. Avoid comparison:
The more you compare your knowledge on a subject with a fellow student, the more you panic.
“Having a chat with friends about stress levels can be helpful, but comparing revision notes and knowledge of the topic you’re being assessed on is never helpful and will always leave you feeling like you haven’t done enough. Find a revision method that works for you and stick to it,” added the article.
5. Exercise or take a short walk:
Taking a short walk or sweating it out at the gym often works well when it comes to de-stress.
6. Pamper yourself with rewards:
Set goals and when you meet them, reward yourself. It can be anything from chocolate or a 30-minute TV watching or Facebook-ing.
7. Start studying well in advance:
Don’t start preparations a week before the exams, but from the day the teacher announces the dates. If you are well-prepared, it automatically gives you a better confidence level.
8. Manage your time properly:
Time management plays a crucial role when it comes to dealing with exam stress.
“Plan to have enough time to study about 50 minutes at a time with five or 10-minute breaks. Have a snack, watch some TV or go for a walk. Study so you understand the material and not just to memorize it. Plan to study in a place where you can concentrate without distractions,” says youthconnect.ca.
9. Practice:
There’s an old saying – “Practice makes a man perfect”. The more you practice and revise, the more exam-ready you are.
10. Limit your tea and coffee intake:
Students tend to increase their tea and coffee consumption before exams to stay alert. But it is a known fact that caffeine in tea and coffee increases stress and anxiety levels in an individual. So check what you drink.
Big Wire
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