Suffering from exam stress? Don’t panic…
Let’s face it: no-one really likes exams. No matter how much you’ve studied beforehand, keeping your anxieties at bay and managing exam stress is often easier said than done. Especially if your speciality is leaving things to the last minute.
But that doesn’t mean panicking is your only option. Here are our top stress relief techniques for students:
Stick to your schedule
First thing’s first: you need to make a solid study schedule
It doesn’t have to be anything particularly formal or in-depth, but setting aside some dedicated time to study – at least six weeks or so in advance – will prevent you from waiting until the night (and/or morning) before to get everything sorted.
Think of it this way: the more you prepare in advance, the more you’ll be able to reassure yourself when the exam stress sets in.
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Work out your stress triggers
You may not be able to stop yourself from worrying completely, but you can work out why you’re doing it.
Maybe there’s a particular subject area you’re struggling with. Or you’ve had a bad experience with exams in the past. It might just be that you’re putting extra pressure on yourself to get the best possible result.
Whatever the reason, once you work out the root cause of your exam anxiety, you’ll be able to come up with a much more effective way to cope with it.
Go ‘off grid’
Treat the internet as one big distraction.
Even if you need to use the computer to access your research, try and keep all non-work related tabs to an absolute minimum. The same goes for social networks, as well as your phone.
We’re not saying you can’t take time off, but getting as far away from your distractions as possible is one of the best study techniques to reduce stress – and will ultimately help you keep calm.
Remember: procrastination is not your friend.
Be honest about burning out
Unfortunately, no matter how hard you try to stay motivated, there will be times when your anxieties get the better of you.
The worst thing you can do in this situation is go into denial. Instead, embrace the fact that you’ve hit a wall and step away from your studies.
Go outside. Take a walk. Make a drink. Practice mindfulness. Whichever way you choose to unwind, be honest and learn to give yourself a break. Make your time off a strength rather than a weakness.
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Actually sleep
A good night’s sleep isn’t just essential for your health and wellbeing – it’s also an excellent exam stress management technique.
Without one, you’re only likely to become overtired and overstressed – no matter how much caffeine you try and take on board to offset the problem.
Make sleep your reward at the end of the day, using the time to properly unwind and relax – helping you to cope with exam stress head-on. There are only so many all-nighters you can pull before fatigue starts to turn up the pressure.
Remember: it’s not a competition
Always bear in mind that learning isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation.
We can’t all work at the same pace, and some people find studying slightly easier than others. The problem is, it’s all too easy to make comparisons when speaking to your peers – especially if they seem to be slightly ahead with what they’ve learned.
To cut back on unnecessary stress, always avoid measuring your progress against anyone else but yourself. The same goes for speaking about potential answers between exams.
Measure yourself by your own yardstick, not by anyone else’s. And if you’re really worried, simply seek out the help of your friends – they will always be happy to help.
Final tip: Asking for help is never a weakness.
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