Not all students are good at coping with stress during their exams. It’s understandable. Though, don’t you ever think that stress is a compulsory attribute here. All students have the power to control their stress levels. In fact, most stress management techniques and tips aren’t that hard to follow. Let’s see the easiest seven ways to cope with exam stress.
1. Have enough sleep
Having a good night’s sleep is so important for your mood, energy levels, and ability to concentrate and process information. Yet, students tend to neglect sleep routines and treat them as obstacles in their exam preparations. That’s wrong on many levels. By not sleeping enough, you don’t let your mind and body rest.
As a result, your memory decreases, alertness lowers, and complex thinking just falls flat. Not to mention how vulnerable sleep-deprived people become to stress factors. So, don’t you think pulling all-nighters is the way to go before exams? The best way to keep calm during the exams is by having enough sleep and forming a healthy nighttime routine. Thus, you stay relaxed and calm, ready to face challenges the next day.
2. Eat well
What we eat matters a lot. Our diet affects how we feel, look, sleep, and even study. Indeed, some products can increase your brain activity and boost your energy, while others can make you sleepy, irritated, and anxious. The choice is yours.
To prevent causing extra stress during the exam sessions, avoid all sugary drinks, highly processed food, and alcohol. These are the most common products that will negatively affect your brain work, slow you down, and increase stress. Instead, better drink coffee, eat lots of veggies, whole grains, and fish. These foods will keep you energized, full, and calm.
3. Exercise
Exercising is essential not only for staying physically well but mentally, too. Hence, having enough room for exercising at least several times a week will help you reduce stress and increase happiness. Overall, exercising helps you fight stress on a physical level.
Keep in mind that exercising doesn’t have to be anything specific or too serious. Thus, you can simply dedicate half an hour per day to dancing in your room to some energetic music. By doing so, you release the tension, let your body move, and, most importantly, have fun in the process. So just like that, exercising doesn’t have to be intimidating or challenging. Any active physical activity can help you release stress almost the same.
4. Ask for help
Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone. It’s unnecessary and unhealthy to drag your burden all alone. Students should never feel like they have no one to turn to for help, especially since it is not true. First, there are numerous paper writing services online that offer students help with homework. So, whenever you are desperate or too stressed to work, just contact one of such services with a request like, “Can you, please, write my essay for me?” They won’t refuse. You get to let go of your stress while also receiving a good grade for the essay.
Also, students should help each other. So, don’t be shy to discuss your problems or stress factors with others. You will feel better just by saying what worries you out loud.
5. Don’t delay
Often, time, or lack of such, to be precise, plays a big factor in stress build-up among students. Of course, students love to procrastinate. It’s no surprise to anyone. Yet, the less time you give yourself before the exam, the more worried you’d be before it. Students start to panic and regret wasting so much valuable time.
So, instead of delaying studying, make a schedule and plan all your studies. This way, you feel in control over the situation. Moreover, you give yourself enough time to get ready for the exams. Thus, extra time helps you build confidence and leaves no room for worrying. Besides, by equally distributing your time and studies, you won’t have issues with keeping a good bedtime routine or healthy eating.
6. Build stress management techniques
If stress still finds you regardless of your efforts, seek ways to decrease it. Overall, all students should have some techniques to cope with stress and lessen its grip. Thus, think of the ways to help yourself during the darkest of times. For example, some students prefer using various breathing techniques when under stress. Such techniques help you focus on your breath while distracting you from stress factors. Others distract themselves with music or mediation. Choose one or two stress management techniques before the exams, so you know how to do it and know it helps.
7. Have faith
Last but not least, just have faith. Don’t fall into despair or believe the dark thoughts you may have during these anxious periods. Believe in yourself instead! Stress often creeps in on you during your lowest points. These are the times when you doubt yourself too much and worry about everything and nothing in particular. Sure, just saying to yourself that it’s gonna be fine is not enough to kill your stress. Yet, it is worth trying.
Perhaps, consider boosting your confidence with daily affirmations. These will charge you with positive thinking and build up your faith in good outcomes.