10 Tips For Stress Management Before Exams
Exams, Stress, Management
Studying is not only an exciting
experience but at times stressful too, especially at the time of exams. Exam
times are definitely one of the most stressful periods and cause great anxiety
amongst most of the students. Though being stressed out is totally ok before
exams, but being overly anxious or stressed can be surely avoidable. Stress
even though gives one a motivation to work hard and study more, but it can
affect the performance and retention of knowledge gained while studying. Lot of
people have this common question before the exams as to how to deal with
stress. Here are top 10 tips to control anxiety and stress management before
exams:
1. Don’t Cram
Though cramming may seem one of the
best ways to remember all the points of the topic, but at times it can prove to
be counterproductive. By cramming not only one will be exhausted the morning of
exam but the fatigued brain won’t be able to recall all the information learnt.
A fix to this problem is studying around a month before the exams and get good
sleep a night before the exam. So when you feel stressed out, talk to a friend,
watch TV or read few pages of a novel.
2. Drink lots of water
Drinking lots of water can be one of
the best solutions to tackle the insane stress that exams can cause. While most
of the students rely on coffee or energy drinks, it can have a dehydrating
effect which would not help in getting you through to long study sessions. Even
mild dehydration can impair cognitive functioning and mental performance. So
make sure you keep a bottle of water and some juice next to you when you sit to
study.
3. Take a break while studying
Studying for longer durations together
is not always helpful or advised by the doctor. One should always go for a 10
minutes walking break after few hours of studying. Studies have shown that
walking for few minutes can refresh your brain and can increase the efficiency
of the brain for another 2-3 hours.
4. Try meditation
Studies have shown that meditation can
improve mental focus and brain activity by manifolds. It has proved to be one
of the best relaxation techniques. Studying day and night makes your brain
tired and decreases its concentration levels. A 5 minute morning and evening meditation
can help in improving the focus and perform better. All you need to do is sit
in an upright position and breath in and out focusing on the breath.
5. Eat well
Eating a nutritious diet before and
during your exam days can help in academic achievement. A well balanced diet
not only helps in maintaining focus but keeps the energy levels intact for
better working and retention. Therefore a good breakfast on the day of the exam
is a must.
6. Move locations
Moving locations can help refresh your
studies when the mind starts to lag. So if you notice yourself studying in your
room all this while, try to sit in the kitchen or a library or any other quiet
place when you start feeling de-motivated. A change of environment can refresh
your brain and can help in better retention and increased will for studying.
7. Listen to soothing music
When you mind starts feeling fatigued
and goes blank, switch the activity to listening to soothing music. Music has
proved to change people’s moods and can help a wandering mind stay focused.
8. Hand-write on paper
When you feel tensed or while revision,
avoid taking notes on your laptop. Instead use pen and paper to write down the
notes and all the topics you are tensed about. Studies have shown that holding
a pen and creating shapes on paper sends feedback signals to the brain, making
it easier to recall the information. It also helps in releasing the tension and
can make the process of studying more fruitful.
9. Test yourself
Giving yourself a practice test can
help you identify the gaps in knowledge before the exam and can help in
reducing pre-exam jitters. Studies say that taking a practice test is more
efficient way of learning than summarizing or highlighting.
10. Sleep well
Staying up all night before the exam is
the worst thing you can do. There comes a point when yourproductivity
absolutely declines, that’s when sleeping can help your refresh for next
morning. Regular sleep is the best way to reduce stress during exams. Students
who have a regular sleep patterns have proved to perform better in their exams
as well. So have a good sleep before the D-day and remember to fix an alarm.
