Exam stress is a state where you feel overwhelmed, confused, and may not be able to access stored information. It doesn’t mean that you don’t know the subject, it often affects you even though you have studied and know the answers under normal circumstances and that’s the most annoying thing! Let’s take a look at ways to overcome exam stress.
Take breaks while you study
Just as important as studying hard is taking regular breaks. Every 90 – 120 minutes you should have at least 15 minutes of rest, away from the subject of your study. Take a brisk walk around the block, run to the park and back, or have a cup of tea while chatting with someone. It is important that the breaks are active, lying on the sofa or watching TV will not restore your energy or clear your mind.
Ask for help
Fighting can only increase anxiety and worry. Why not study in a group with friends? Meet in the library or a study hall, book two hours of intensive study, ask each other questions, go through the material together, explain the topic – all of these activities will support your learning and make retention more effective.
Stay away from drugs
Drugs like caffeine, including coffee, black tea, and energy drinks, along with tobacco, speed, cocaine, tranquilizers, or sleeping pills, will only work in the short term and leave you dealing with the after effects. , which will be more challenging than the stress of the original exam. . These drugs may be common among your friends and may even cheer you up by minimizing side effects. Still, you’ll study better with regular breaks, enough sleep, and exercise.
study effectively
Make a study plan in advance. Plan the weeks leading up to the exam and set aside time in your calendar to study. Remember to plan breaks. Think about the topics that need to be reviewed and break them down on your calendar. Connect with other students and organize study groups to answer any of your questions along the way. Allow time in the last week before the test, at least one full day, to take a break from the subject and do something fun.
Do some guided imagery
This technique can greatly reduce anxiety about future events, so take some time to read it and apply it: Imagine meeting your future self who is taking the test, and imagine it happening exactly as you would like. See yourself in a calm state, writing down all the answers quickly and easily. The second time, imagine the scene again, now standing directly behind your future self. After that, have a conversation with your future self and ask questions like: How did you prepare? What attitude did you have, what beliefs about yourself? What resources did you use? Any advice you want to give? Please ask any other questions you would like answered. Next, imagine putting yourself in the shoes of your future self and now look through your own eyes and imagine the scene unfolding exactly as you would like it to. Before returning to the present moment, have your future self provide you with all the resources, attitudes, and beliefs you need, and allow them to integrate with you. Travel back in time to now and see all the preparatory steps you’ll take as you journey to your future self.