How to Deal with Exam Stress
Exams are a crucial and inevitable part of the school experience. As a student, you often go through the expectation of wanting to get good grades in school. This need, however, can lead to exam stress and cause a lot of anxiety as you are preparing to sit for a test. To avoid this crippling anxiety, you have to equip yourself with strategies on how to deal with exam stress. Often time, stress is born in the mind and has little to do with your knowledge of the paper you are about to take.
If you are reading this, you probably want to rid yourself of exam stress. Fortunately, this article has a step-by-step guide that is sure to equip you with ways to deal with stress before an exam.
How to Deal with Exam Stress
Student life is never easy, especially if you are a college or university student. Apart from exam stress, you are constantly bombarded with an excessive workload. So, if you want to avoid last-minute rushes, you have to learn how to manage stress before an exam. Success is the totality of small efforts repeated daily.
Here are some ideas on how to reduce exam stress as a student.
1. Prepare for the Exam
A sure way to guarantee that you are calm and collected during a test is to be sufficiently prepared. Students often make the mistake of waiting till the last minute to start reading, which induces exam stress. Remember to look through your coursework material, consult with your fellow students, or ask your professors for guidance. If you have an idea of what you will be tested on, you have a better chance of coping with exam stress.
Another way to prepare for exams is by taking notes in class. Do not slack off or be overdependent on your memory. The mind forgets. Take your classes seriously all year round to reduce exam stress. Review your notes every week or so to familiarize yourself with the material and have it engraved in your mind. If you have always wanted to learn how to deal with stress before an exam, then do not wait till the eleventh hour to start studying. Start early and when it is time to sit for an exam, you will feel more relaxed and prepared.
2. Time Management
As the saying goes, if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. In the weeks leading up to your exams, have a clear schedule of how you plan to study. Do not cram for a test last minute as this will surely cause exam stress. Break down your time into reasonable chunks over weeks. What helps with exam stress is managing your time wisely. When you section your time over a long period, like a month or a few weeks at the least, you are more likely to avoid stress during exams.
If you can and your school schedule allows, try studying a little bit every single day as you get closer to your exams. In this way, you will be used to a routine that also helps with retaining information and avoiding stress before an exam.
3. Keep Distractions Away
Today the biggest distraction for students is the smartphone. When you are preparing for a test, stay away from your phone to avoid exam stress. Constantly scrolling through social media is unproductive and wastes a lot of time. Also, if you want to cope with exam stress, turn off notifications from your phone to concentrate on your paper and avoid getting distracted.
Another way to keep distractions off as you study is by keeping your study area clutter-free. Students often wonder how to get rid of exam stress and it can be as simple as off-loading your surroundings. You will focus a lot better if your study area is organized.
How to Deal with Stress the Night Before an Exam
On the night before the exam and the day of, it is important to stay calm to avoid getting jittery or forgetting everything you studied.
Here are a few tips on how to overcome exam stress right before a test.
1. Have a proper meal
Your energy levels when you take a test are dependent on how well you eat. Having a proper meal, the night before and a healthy breakfast on the day of will rid you of exam stress, fatigue, and anxiety.
Remember to consume food that will give you energy for longer periods, like oats or eggs. Avoid high-sugar meals that will give you energy for a short time but may lead to a dip in energy during the exam.
2. Stay hydrated
Right before your exam, remember to drink enough water that will keep you hydrated throughout the exam. Being dehydrated will negatively impact how your brain works and lead to anxiety and stress during an exam. If your professor allows it, carry a water bottle to the test to stay hydrated the entire time. If not, drink enough water the day of and the day before the exam.
3. Regulate your caffeine
Although it is enticing, avoid too much coffee as you prepare for your exam, especially the day before you take it. Caffeine is known to give a boost of energy, but it can also lead to anxiety, which is a major cause of exam stress.
4. Sleep well
Your instinct the night before an exam might be to stay up all night and cram for the test. However, getting insufficient sleep is a sure way to riddle yourself with exam stress. Ideally, you should have a consistent sleep schedule weeks before you take your test to keep your body regulated.
That said, if you have always struggled with coping with exam stress, then sleep early the night before your exam. You will wake up more alert and well-rested.
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Sitting for an exam is never easy. Here you have tips and tricks on how to deal with exam stress without losing your mind. However, if the time comes and you still feel an immense amount of pressure, be sure to consult the help of our team of professionals at Papers Nest. They are sure to help you if you are struggling with your schoolwork.
