No matter how old or young you are, exams are always stressful. Performing poorly could affect your academic progress and options, so it’s perfectly normal to feel some level of stress. But there are plenty of things that you can do to keep stress to a minimum. Sometimes, all it takes is for you to make a few adjustments to your routine and preparation. Being disciplined will also help. Here are a few tips you can follow to handle exam stress.
Learn How to Meditate
This is one of the most powerful tools that you can use to reduce stress while preparing for an exam, just before an exam, or in every situation in life. One thing you should know about meditation is that it doesn’t require a special setup or that you chant mantras. Meditation is really about mindfulness and being aware of what’s going on in your mind and body with complete detachment.
Some people even meditate during exams when they are feeling particularly stressed. So, if you want to learn how to meditate and become better at it, we suggest you install something like the Calm app. Not only will it help with meditating, but it will also help you sleep better.
Prepare Early with Mock Tests
Practice tests are another powerful tool that you can use to better prepare for an exam. You can get multiple test exams so that you get a wide variety of questions. Once you’ve aced multiple of these exams, you should have no fear going in. Mock exams can also help you identify some of your weaknesses and work on them before your big day. You’ll find lots of sample CAT4 tests online and other types of exams. These can be accessed for free most of the time too.
Watch Your Lifestyle Habits
Some people experience extreme stress and assume that it’s triggered by the exam specifically, when, in reality, their lifestyle is the cause. For instance, if you have a habit of staying awake until 11 in the evening watching YouTube videos, don’t be surprised if you’re stressed the day after. Sleep has a direct impact on cortisol levels, the stress hormone, and everything you do to limit cortisol production will help.
The foods you eat will affect the amount of cortisol your body makes too. Foods that are high in simple sugars, for instance, are known to increase stress. Caffeine has also been shown to increase cortisol levels in the blood so, while it may help you perform better, it would be better to avoid coffee. If you want a dose of caffeine, you could always go with green tea instead as the theanine content will balance the stressful effects of coffee.
Work with a Tutor
If your child is struggling with one particular subject and you feel like it’s contributing to your stress, you should consider looking at tutors. You could find a tutor that will help work on the areas that need to be targeted and you can easily find one online these days, though you may prefer having a direct interaction with them. A tutor, unlike a teacher, will have no problem staying on one subject with you until you get it. This is why they can be a valuable aid for any student, even those who don’t feel excessive stress before exams.
These are all tips that you can use if you want to keep your stress levels to a minimum. It all starts with proper preparation and looking at how you can improve your daily habits.
