Board exams are very important as they hold the ability to decide the future of a child. And the pressure students face in the name of boards and the stress to do well can sometimes get too overwhelming. But it can be combated. You don’t have to go through any stress because that not only adversely affects your mental health, but there are chances you may forget whatever you study. Therefore, read ahead for tried and tested methods on how you can prevent exam stress.
What is Exam Stress?
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As the name suggests, there are changes that make you feel low or anxious about your exam, especially as the exam nears. But for some students, the fear can also cause panic attacks or sickness, which renders them helpless, unable to give the exam properly, even if their preparation was strong. The first and foremost thing parents can do to fight this condition is to take away the pressure from students. Pushing them a little is necessary because leaving things up to the kids will not give them the required push to get things done. However, when the pressure becomes too much it can break. Therefore, as parents, one must understand kids strengths and weaknesses and push them only to a certain extent in order to ensure they are not overexerted emotionally and mentally.
How Can Students Deal With Exam Stress?
As a student, first remember, a little stress is normal. After all, you must have done a mountain of preparation and doing well in exams is something we all want. However, when the stress becomes unbearable or you think it is going up, then you can follow the below tips to help you out.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a technique, which can not only help you study better but can also help decrease your anxiety and stress. When it comes to mindfulness, you are training your brain to only focus on the present, the moment you are in at present. Nothing more and nothing less. Of course, our brain is a wanderer, but bringing it back to the present is mindfulness. How to practice mindfulness while studying?
- Take deep breaths before you start.
- If your mind is going here and there, bring it back.
- Start slow, put a 10-minute timer and don’t let the mind wander for the allotted time. Study with complete focus while you are focusing on your breathing. Once you are done, take deep breaths and a 5-minute break.
- To further ground yourself or beat anxiety or stress, look around you. Make a note of any five things you see, any five sounds you hear, things you can smell, and things you can hear. It will bring you back to the present and help you focus better.
You can practice mindfulness anywhere and everywhere. Even in the exam hall. If you feel yourself getting too overwhelmed, take deep breaths and follow the grounding method. It will work and help you do better.
Have A Positive Attitude
A positive attitude is imperative when it comes to getting rid of exam stress. You must believe in yourself. If you don’t, why should others? It is easier said than done, but you must start somewhere. You can start with positive affirmations where you stand in front of a mirror and give yourself positive encouragement such as;
- I can do it
- I feel no exam stress
- I am confident I can score more than 90% in my exams
- I know I won’t feel any panic or stress
- I will not feel anxious before or during my exam
Take Impromptu Tests
Solve question papers like it is your actual exam. Have a designated study area and don’t let anything distract you. To make it more real, you can also dress up in your uniform and sit on a table and chair. Have a set time limit just like your exam. Ask your parents, siblings, or friends to help. One can be the invigilator who will hand you the question paper and the examination sheets and someone else can correct your work. See how many marks you get and things where you are going wrong. Since it was only a practice, you have time to correct yourself. Take help of ncert solutions pdf to assess your strong and weak areas. Do this as often as possible as it will help you out.
Exercise
Do regular physical activity such as running, walking, or jogging. It will help reduce stress. First, have a set time for your exercise. While you are running, think of your fears and face them and tell yourself over and over you can do it. And sometimes, if while you are studying or even sitting doing something else and stress hits you, go for a quick run if possible as it will help calm your anxiety.
Meditate
Meditation can help you combat your stress. Meditation doesn’t have to be sitting quietly and taking deep breaths, it can be anything that makes you feel better. For instance, for some, music can help calm them down, while for some traditional meditation techniques or yoga works and there are some who feel good after listening to guided meditation. So, figure out what you like best and what makes you feel better and do just that.
Remember, the trick here is to not let anxiety win and to realize you are stronger than you think. If nothing works for you, talk to someone. It can be your parents or a teacher and tell them how you feel, what goes through you, everything. If nothing is working out, make sure you visit a therapist. They are trained professionals who can help students overcome their fears without any medication and only with therapy. It is safe and it can help you get better soon.
