Tips to battle exam stress

Dr. Neelima Kamrah

Exam time is a stressful time for students of all levels the ‘E’ word is something every student is wary of. As soon as exam time approaches, stress levels begin increasing. There are a few things you can do before you start studying to stay focused and calm: 

Prioritise your time

Before the exam period starts, be realistic about how much you can study each day while allocating time to determine what you need to review for each exam and figure out how early you need to start revising to cover everything. 

Always start your preparation with time-taking topics so that you devote more time to them. Then build  a schedule, breaking down the subject you would like to study every day. 

Having a study plan will help in managing all the material you have to go through and not forget to review the crucial topics. Practice through old papers by setting clock anagrams to remember points.

Take breaks

While preparing your study schedule don’t forget to factor in some time for breaks. Try to take a 10-minute break after every hour of studying. The break helps you to boost your energy in the right direction without taking more stress on concentration power. Concentrating for hours is very difficult so when you find your mind wandering it’s probably a sign you need a short break. 

Talk to someone

Open up to a family member or a friend about the pressure you are feeling. You’ll be amazed to know that you aren’t alone in feeling like this. If you are concerned about your mental health during exam season or at any point in the year, don’t be afraid to speak to a professional or the mental health services at your university.

Immersive visualisation

Visualisation is very powerful in priming and preparing our brains. Every morning when you get up, try visualising how you would like your day to go. If you get a little panicky about the exam days, just visualise how you stay calm and confident on that day. The trick is to make it as detailed as possible so that the brain can hold on to the vision and then it will go all out to make sure that you stay on track.

No to distractions and procrastination

Teaching yourself the material from the whole semester, overdosing on coffee and energy drinks, moving into the library and procrastinating is not the right way. During exams  avoid all unnecessary stuff that distracts you like your games, mobile phones, movies, etc. Don’t pile up the things for the next chance. Everything depends on your attitude – the more you motivate yourself, the more effective your study will be and the less time you will waste on procrastinating. 

Know your learning style

The learning style is varying from person to person. Everyone studies in a different way, and what works for your friend might not work for you. Some people prefer to study in groups where they can talk through the material together and quiz each other. Some people get anxious when studying with other people and like to review the course material on their own. 

There are various ways to study, including flashcards, re-watching lectures, and doing follow tests. 

Once you’ve figured out what techniques are most effective for you, stick to these so that you can use your time efficiently. Knowing your dominant learning style will enable you to improve your academic performance in many ways. Your dominant learning style can help you overcome your weakness.

— The writer is Registrar KIIT College of Education Gurgaon