Monday, 21 May 2012

How to deal with exam stress

Do you experience exam stress?  Here are some ways to help you cope: 
  • Learn to recognise when you're stressing out. A break or a chat with someone who knows the pressure you're under will get things into perspective.
  • Avoid comparing your abilities with your mates. Those "Oh my God I've only read Macbeth 17 times" conversations are such a wind up. Everyone approaches revision in different ways, so just make sure you've chosen the method that works best for you. Make a realistic timetable. Stick to it. 
  • Eat right. Treat yourself like a well honed machine. Fresh fruit and veg. Proper breakfasts. No one can think straight on coffee and cornflakes. 
  • Sleep well. Wind down before bed. Don't revise under the duvet - your bed is a sanctuary not a desk. Get your 8 hours.
  • Exercise. Nothing de-stresses the mind faster than physical activity. Build it into your timetable. Being a sloth makes our mind sloppy too.
  • Quit the bad habits such as cigarettes and alcohol. 
  • Panic is often triggered by hyperventilating (i.e. quick, shallow breaths). So if you feel yourself losing it during the exam, sit back for a moment and control your breathing. Deep breath in and out through the nose. Counting to five each way.
  • Steer clear of any exam 'post-mortem'. It doesn't matter what your friend wrote for Question 3(b). It's too late to go back and change your answers, so it will just make you worry even more.
  • Ultimately, don't lose sight of the fact that there is life after exams. Things might seem intense right now, but it won't last forever.

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