Don’t stress!
Stress is the body’s natural response to a challenge, threat or excitement. The exam period is one of the most stressful times of our lives. This pressure can either be our downfall, making us worry so much that we can’t concentrate, or give us the adrenalin that we need to motivate us to do our best. It all depends on the individual. But whether you’re getting in a tizz about GCSE’s or awaiting the dreaded A levels, studying for courses at college or even for final university examinations, the following simple steps will help you to stay calm and organised through the revision period leading up to exams.
Revising can be taxing and tedious as we ponder over where to start, let alone in finding the actual motivation to get us started! If this sounds like you, these pointers will get you into the flow of a balanced and efficient revision scheme…
First things first, don’t cram!
Make yourself a revision timetable to organise your revision into manageable chunks.
Be sure to leave time for fun and relaxation in your timetable. 50% revision time, 50% you time is a good way to work out the balance.
Whether this be going out with friends or planning your studies around activities you’re involved in and TV programmes you watch. – You can use activities like these as rewards after a revision session to give you motivation. Whatever you do in your free time, make sure you completely take your mind off revision.
It’s also important not to revise for too long at a time. The maximum revision period should be between 2-3 hours, as this is the average time that the brain can handle before it conks out and stops absorbing the information properly!
If possible, try to take a 10-15 minute break between each hour of revision to refresh your brain.
Put yourself first! – It is an important time for you, so try talking to your family about how they can make the study period a little easier for you. – Times that they should try to be a little quieter around the house, etc.
It’s also important to keep your energy levels up and to stay healthy through the revision period to make sure you are as alert as possible…
It may sound obvious but eat healthily! We all hate our greens but it is important to maintain a good balanced diet and to avoid fatty and sugary food and drinks, such as burgers and Coke. -These burn energy very quickly and give you a buzz, but once the energy is used up they leave you feeling very tired. Whilst things like pasta and fruit juice are slow energy burning foods and will keep your energy and concentration levels higher for longer.
If you are a coffee drinker, try switching the caffeine to juice or water during your study period. Water helps you to think more clearly – very handy when you’re trying to work out what textbooks are going on about!
Exercise regularly
Sleep well
Keep busy between studying to take your mind off of the exams a bit.
Before the exam …
Believe in yourself!
Be realistic- don’t try to be perfect. Not everyone can be good at everything! Just do your best!
Be positive and confident
Don’t keep things bottled up – if it helps, try talking to friends, family or teachers before the exam for a little extra support
YOUR’E YOU, so you can only do the best that you can do on the day!
…And make sure you leave yourself as little stress as possible…
Have a good, healthy breakfast. They say it’s the most important meal of the day, and it really is!
Give yourself plenty of time to get to the exam room
Make sure you know where the exam is being held
Take everything you need – extra pens, water, tissues…
Go to the loo before the exam starts!
After the exam…
Don’t dwell – Try to put the last exam out of the way. It’s over and done with now. Move on to focus on the next one.
Be nice to yourself. Remember, failure is never the end. There are always other options and always room for improvement.
Remember, there's life beyond exam results. Disappointing results are not the end of the world - even if it feels that way at the time. You might decide to resit. If not, there'll be plenty of other opportunities to express yourself and succeed later on in life.
Don't bottle it up - During or after the exams, if you feel that you can't cope with the pressure, or are feeling stressed, find someone to talk to - don't bottle it up! Try talking to parents, teachers and friends. After all, you can't go back and change things now.
Now you know how to get on top of your stress, let it push you forward not hold you back! GOOD LUCK!