Students looking for academic excellence usually find themselves dealing with stress when exam time occurs. Exam stress is something that you can ignore or face head on. If you are someone who finds yourself battling stress when exam time comes around, the following are some tips that will help make life easier on you.
One of the first things that you can do to help with exam stress is identify what causes your stress. Some of the factors that contribute to a student’s stress level are not difficult to handle.
Causes of Stress
A number of different factors can contribute to exam stress. Students who make poor lifestyle choices can suffer additional exam stress. Not getting enough rest, not eating properly, and poor time management all contribute to exam stress.
Having poor study habits is another huge contributor to stress. If you do not study enough, try to cram all of your studying in the night before an exam, or have ineffective study skills it can make it harder to recall important information, which increases exam stress.
Tips to Combat Exam Stress
Here are a few of the best ways to manage your stress.
- Take care of yourself – Make sure that you are getting adequate sleep. Living on 3 or 4 hours sleep is not conducive to proper studying techniques or retention. Also, be sure that you are eating properly. Eating is essential for the energy you need for studying for your exams and taking the exams.
- Have faith in yourself – If you study hard and have kept up all semester you should have no problem taking your exams. Believe in yourself and your capabilities.
- Do not expect perfection – Realize that doing your best is important. If you manage to pass your exams but do not score the “ideal” score in your mind be proud of your achievements. Do not put additional, and unnecessary, stress on yourself.
- Time management – Organize your schedule to accommodate adequate study time so you are not rushed. Find your exam date and study as many times as you need for the specific class.
- Listen to music – This tool works for many people. Listening to the right type of music is beneficial in creating the right mood and atmosphere for studying. Classical music specifically helps the brain focus on what you are reading.
- Move around – If you find yourself feeling stressed while studying for your exams get up and move around. Take a few minutes to take a short walk. This allows your body and mind to relax and helps boost brainpower and memory.
- Take breaks often – This falls into the same category as taking a walk but does not involve physical exercise. It can simply mean closing your eyes and taking a quick nap. You can also take a few minutes to do nothing. Allowing your mind to continue to absorb everything you have just studied as well as allowing it to rest.
The knowledge that you have to take exams does not have to mean you will suffer from stress automatically. If you follow the tips above throughout the course of the semester, as well as exam times, you can reduce the amount of stress that you have dramatically.
Get in the habit of managing your time and planning a study schedule. Learn to study in a place that provides adequate light, play brain boosting music, and above all else remember to take care of yourself properly. By using the different steps listed, you will find yourself not suffering from as much stress as you would otherwise.