March and April are the most stressful months for students all over the country. With the class 10th and 12th Board exams just around the corner, students shut themselves indoors and bury themselves under a pile of books. As both these years are the decisive years of their academic life, the exam pressure on teenagers is tremendous.
There are great expectations from family and teachers, too, all of which give immense stress to the students. This stress during exams gives rise to anxiety and affects their performance and results.
How to Reduce Exam Stress?
Dealing with exam stress can lead to anxiety and depression among students. These are causes of exam stress that often lead to students taking the wrong steps. The growing concern for students and their mental health has given rise to a much-needed discussion on how to minimize the stress and create a healthy and peaceful atmosphere for them to sail through this stressful period.
For some students, dealing with exam pressure seems impossible, while for others, it comes easy. If you find it difficult to deal with exam tension then the most important thing to remember is that stressing yourself will only trouble you and prevent you from giving your best.
Here are some helpful tips to reduce stress during exams. Follow these tips to manage your stress better and perform well in your exams.
11 Tips to Reduce Stress During Exams:
1. Begin an Early Revision
Schools complete the syllabus sooner in the 10th and 12th classes so that students get ample time to revise the portion several times until they are thorough. Solving problems and questions from textbooks and earlier examinations are a great way to revise the entire portion.
Beginning early helps complete this revision in time and stay prepared for the exams, which in turn, reduces the stress.
2. Prepare a Timetable
A productive timetable helps you plan your studies well. It gives you a clear idea of how much time you are giving to every subject. It helps you allocate extra time to those subjects that feel difficult. This will help you reduce stress and improve your confidence.
3. Plan for Every Day of the Week
Prepare the timetable for every day of the week. Plan your days in such a way that you reserve some time for regular breaks, too. Studying continuously, without taking a break, is counter-productive as it leaves you with no time for relaxation.
Take a day of the week off to do the things you like, or to meet your friends outdoors. This will help rejuvenate you for the coming week and reduce mental stress, too.
4. Incorporate Active Learning Techniques
While studying, prepare notes, flashcards, diagrams, and images to make your revision more interesting. Conduct quizzes with your friends to add some fun elements to your studies.
This removes the stress attached to studies and makes study time interesting. These fun techniques also help you remember better and stay alert while studying.
5. Stay Positive
Stress gives rise to negativity, which, in turn, increases stress. It is a vicious circle that compounds stress and affects every aspect of life. It is, therefore, important to stay positive to counter stressful thoughts. Believe in yourself and your capabilities. Always remember that every problem has a solution.
If you have self-doubt or suffer from excessive worry, talk to your parents or teachers and find ways to change the negative thoughts into positive ones. This will go a long way in reducing stress during exams. It will help you study and appear for your exams with the right attitude.
6. Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Many students pull an all-nighter before and during board exams. This is an unhealthy practice as they end up sleep-deprived.
We need 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night to stay mentally and physically healthy. Sleep also improves memory and helps you retain and process the information you gain while studying.
Maintain a sleep schedule, where you switch off gadgets an hour before bedtime. Sleep and wake at a fixed time every day so that your body and brain get the rest they require to work at their optimum.
7. Maintain a Balanced Diet
A healthy diet and ample water intake not only keeps you physically healthy and active but also mentally healthy and strong. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds, and lots of water will ensure your body has enough energy to help you work hard. It will also help you stay alert and focus better.
8. Exercise
Exercise of any kind helps the mind and the body stay active, healthy, and happy. Running, walking, yoga, swimming, or aerobics are all activities that help you stay mindful and reduce stress. Keep aside some time every day for exercising and watch your stress diminish.
9. Indulge in a Hobby
When you plan for your day, keep aside some time to indulge in your hobbies, too. Even half an hour of doing an activity, such as singing, dancing, reading, cooking, or making art, will give your mind some much-needed relaxation. It will instantly improve your mood, refresh your mind, and decrease stress.
10. Ask For Help
Seek help or guidance from your parents, elder siblings, or teachers if you feel overwhelmed by exam stress and anxiety. Never try to solve stressful problems by yourself, or feel shy about talking about your feelings. Share your feelings, honestly and freely with your family. They will help find ways to tackle your problems and manage your stress better.
11. Study With Friends
Studying alone can get boring or stressful. Have a study buddy or study with a group of close friends, who will support each other and cheer for each other when exam stress gets overwhelming.
Conclusion
As per GIIS International School, the effects of exam stress can be debilitating and impact your performance and your results. Managing the stress and curbing it in time will help you study better with a positive frame of mind.
If you feel anxious or worried about exams, then please speak with your elders. They will help you find ways to manage the stress and prevent it from disturbing your mental and emotional health.
Always remember, your mental well-being is of utmost importance, especially during your exams. Follow the above tips to fight the stress and help yourself perform brilliantly. Wish you the very best!
