Exam Zen: Stress - Reducing Techniques
By: Anwita Sandesh
With exam season just around the corner, it can be easy to find yourself stressing about it. Whether it is managing your time, actually understanding the concepts, or the exam itself, it is normal to feel that way. So, here are some tips and tricks to keep yourself calm for this exam season.
Create a Study Schedule
You most likely already know when your exam dates for each of your classes are, so why not make a study schedule. Choose which classes you need to prioritize the most, calculate how much time you currently have until exams, and know what your current workload is until the week of. Take these things into consideration to create an efficient schedule for studying. By doing this, you will have a clear understanding of what you have to do to prepare for your exams instead of feeling confused or overwhelmed. Try your best to stick to it but there is no harm in making a few adjustments along the way as needed.
Make a List of Questions you Have on Material
While studying, you may have a few questions about the concepts you are studying. These could be small things you needed clarification on or they could be information that is vital to your understanding of the material. These doubts, especially the bigger ones, may leave you feeling stressed. To avoid this stress, try and make a list of these questions to ask your teacher, tutor, or peers for clarification. That way, you might be able to have your doubts cleared all while getting rid of your stress.
Know Your Limits
Sometimes, you can find yourself so driven to study well and perform well on exams that you forget to take breaks. You need to dedicate time to yourself outside of studies to avoid the risk of being burnt out. Take breaks like going outside for some fresh air, eating a snack/drinking water, or talking to your family. This can help you feel refreshed and give you time to think about other things besides exams. Although it is vital to take breaks, you may find yourself in the opposite position. Many of us also have the habit of procrastinating or lacking the willpower to study for exams. This may leave you feeling stressed about what your performance on your exams will be. It is okay to feel this way and there are ways you can motivate yourself to study. One thing you can do is setting out your goals. You can remind yourself that putting in the work allows for you to reap the rewards.
Preparing for the Day of
The time to take the actual exam can be scary. However, there are some things you can do to have yourself completely prepared for the day of. Make sure to get a good night’s rest and don’t stress yourself out about what your results will be. Eat a nutritional breakfast that will keep you comfortable during the longer time periods. Most importantly, don’t let this exam define what your worth is. You have done your duty of preparing yourself for this day, so do not worry about what is to come next.
Good luck for your exams!
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