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.
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