Stress seems to be an inseparable part of school. However, it doesn’t have to be so. Students can work on developing strong coping mechanisms in fighting stress. Of course, such work will require certain strategies, self-awareness, and determination to succeed. Yet, the results will be worth it. So, let’s see what you can do once stress gets the best of you. Here are seven ways to cope with exam stress.
1. Treat your body with respect
Sleep and eat well, exercise, and drink plenty of water. These should be your main priorities in life. Of course, exams can be tough and hard on your personal attention. You may set your eyes on good grades and sacrifice much of your comfort. However, your health should never be the price for academic excellence. Not to mention, lack of sleep and an unhealthy diet will affect where you are mentally and physically, making you more vulnerable to stress factors.
So, whenever you enter a stressful period in your life, bring your focus back on yourself. Keep track of how you sleep. Exercise daily and eat well. Food can greatly impact your resistance to stress and anxiety. So, try to reduce any sugary foods and drinks along with processed foods during your exam sessions. Instead, eat your greens, fatty fish, nuts, and other brain food to stay calm and productive.
2. Get organized
A proper schedule and a study plan will resolve half of your stresses and worries. Indeed, many students fail to organize their time and working schedules. So, when the exams approach, students fall into panic mode. They realize how much time they’ve wasted and rush to catch up with the missed progress. Of course, such an approach is doomed to fail.
For the most part, the sense of failing and the time pressure turn into a huge stress factor that affects your day and night. Instead, students will do better by planning their exam preparations ahead of time and sticking to the schedule. Of course, it requires more discipline and organization. Yet, it will reduce stress and lead to higher efficiency.
3. Set reasonable goals
Unrealistic goals are another common reason for stress during exams. You should know what you can achieve, how, and at what time frames. Thus, setting realistic expectations is an important part of staying calm during the exam session.
So, start planning your expectations and strategies before the exams. See what grades you want to have. Where you will need to work harder and where you are doing well. Most importantly, give yourself enough time for each goal. Time pressure will not help you succeed but will only lead to more stress. Don’t think you write an essay from scratch during the night or revise semester-long materials during the week. By doing so, you only set yourself up for failure.
4. Take breaks
Studying hard is important. It’s your guarantee for future academic success. However, studying smart is a much better strategy. Thus, you learn to study efficiently, which means you know when to pause, take breaks, rest, and save energy when needed.
Overall, studying with a break is the only way to learn more in shorter periods while also staying productive and calm. By sitting at your computer for hours straight, you exhaust your body and mind, making yourself more vulnerable to stress. Instead, make breaks every 25-30 minutes to enhance your results, recharge, have a rest, and gain better focus as a result.
5. Ask for help
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Of course, exams are a stressful period in your life. So, find ways to deal with them in the least harmful way. Asking for a hand when you can really use one is the way to go. Ask the professor for consultations. Talk to your friends and family. Share your feelings or ask for some assistance. In addition, you can always seek paper writing help online. Use any help you find suitable for your situation.
6. Stop doubting yourself
Self-doubting is a time killer, while it also produces stress and anxieties. There is no point in inviting even more stress into your life. Yet, most students engage in long rents about their low performance or bad memory instead of working. So, to reduce this stress, you should refocus your attention on what you can do instead of what you haven’t done.
Such doubting issues are common and serious. Yet, you can tackle it by enhancing your control over the situation and taking charge of all your goals and study processes.
7. Notice where you are mentally
Finally, keep track of your mental health. You want to stay calm, happy, and focused during such a difficult time. To achieve that, you need to build good self-awareness and mindfulness. So don’t push back your feelings and emotions. Learn to recognize them. See how you feel each day and pinpoint the reasons for any emotional swings you may have.
Such steps will help you notice early symptoms of stress and tackle them before they get stronger. So, you work on preventing rather than fighting the consequences. It’s a good tactic to try, though it will require much attention to your mental health.
