Strategies for Dealing with Exam Stress

Exams periods are known to be the most stressful for academics. Pressure to get good grades can cause stress levels to elevate, affecting your studies and overall well-being. Besides, it’s even more nerve-wracking to do an exam while unwell. That is why students at all academic levels need to know the techniques they can use to deal with exam stress quickly. To help any student out, here are strategies for staying calm throughout exam season.

Don’t Put Yourself Under Too Much Pressure

Yes, exams determine whether you can move to the next academic level, and results are a key factor in the course you can pursue. However, don’t put too much pressure on yourself by believing education is all about good performance. When you are in the exam room, do your best, and before that, plan how you will get a good score in every subject. This can mean studying instead of going out or joining a study group.

While it’s not advised to leave studying until the last minute, avoid panicking when you are in such a situation. Instead, read key points from each topic and the summary, then go to sleep early. This ensures that during the test you will be well-rested and at your best which increases the odds of performing well.

Confide In a Friend

Talking often lightens the load and provides stress relief. Besides, when you’re feeling anxious, remember you are not alone. Many students are also dealing with the same issue. Those from previous classes have experience and can even offer an effective solution. 

Remember, school life comes with its own shares of stress that you may not have control over. But talking or confiding in someone is a great way of overcoming challenges.

Be Well-Prepared

To stop exam anxiety, be well prepared. This works by putting your mind at ease during the exam period. So start summarizing notes early into the semester and use the last few days before exams to revise. In case you identify any knowledge gaps go back and reread the material. 

You should also use practice questions to gauge the score you are likely to get in an exam. If you don’t know how to answer an essay question, reach out to experienced essay writers who will go further and give content that provides you with more information on the subject matter. The information might come in handy during exams.

Use Mindfulness Techniques

Excessive worry can be caused by various factors including:

• Poor lifestyle
• Psychological factors
• Poor learning techniques

Self-criticism, negative thinking, low self-esteem, reading without understanding the material and improper use of time are known causes of exam stress. One strategy for curbing stress is to practice mindfulness. 

Start with simple things like setting aside time to meditate and declutter the mind. Stressed students should give journaling, deep breathing workouts or writing a gratitude list a try. Choose a relaxing technique that works to calm you. That way when you start panicking during exams, use tap into it.

Avoid Perfectionism

Perfectionism can prevent a learner from noticing how far they have come in their academic journey. It can also elevate stress and make it much harder to enjoy life in school. Perfectionists also tend to have a deep fear of failure, leading to worry and time wastage. 

So instead of always striving for perfection, treat yourself with gentleness and celebrate any wins you have so far. Finally, understand that no one is perfect. Then remind yourself that no matter what the results turn out to be, you indeed gave it your all.

Prioritize Studies

If you make the most of the available time while in school, you are more likely to worry less about scoring poorly in tests. So make studies your biggest priority by creating a schedule. Have fun and when learning, use the appropriate style. Make use of flashcards or listen to an audio version of the lecture.

Keep revising for exams that are yet to be done. While there are several ways to revise in a way that boosts recall of the information, first create a rich base of factual knowledge to expound on the topic. This strategy makes learning easier.

Take a Social Media Break

Social media is often a source of distraction and a time-waster, especially during exam periods. It can also be a source of stress, especially when you realize other students are excited about doing the exams. So during exams log off from social media. But even when you avoid checking your social media, ensure you are still taking breaks from studying.