It’s the most intense, stressful time of the year for all students: exam season. It’s always a period of intense revision, fear, doubts, worries, and anxiety. Students all across the country are gearing up to commence their national exams in the upcoming season.
To handle these emotions, here are 5 tips that address the question: Do we even need to worry about exams anymore?
Sleep
Studies indicate that adequate rest and relaxation enhance academic performance, especially during exam periods. While it may sound simple, ensuring you get enough sleep significantly reduces stress levels. It’s recommended to aim for at least eight hours of sleep per night, but if you can manage nine or ten hours, that’s even better. Additionally, it’s crucial to wind down at least an hour before bedtime. Engage in calming activities such as reading a book, listening to music, or practicing meditation.
Stay Active
Taking care of your mental wellbeing starts with prioritizing your physical health. Engaging in physical activity, even if it’s just for a few minutes, is a great way to center your mind, lower your stress levels, and relax yourself. During exam periods, there are numerous ways to stay active, such as taking walks or doing a quick 15-minute workout.
Unwind
Amidst all the busyness, we can get caught up in our own heads and neglect our relationships. Stay connected to friends and family to keep yourself motivated, and avoid excessive screen time as it adds to your stress. Research indicates that even a short five-minute break away from your computer and devices can rejuvenate your mind and enhance your ability to concentrate. For better management of exam stress and improved studying, consider turning off notifications or activating ‘do not disturb’ mode on your smartphone while studying.
Breathe
Stop. Take a moment. Breathe. Engaging in deep and mindful breathing can rapidly alleviate stress. Whether you’re studying in the library or taking an exam, practicing breathing techniques can help control stress levels. If you’re new to mindful breathing, consider starting with a basic technique: take five deep breaths. Inhale slowly through the nose, counting to 1, then exhale deeply through the mouth, counting to 2. Repeat this process, counting 3 on the inhale, 4 on the exhale, and 5 on the next inhale, then release.
Be Proud
The moment you walk out of that exam hall is the moment where the matter is no longer in your hands. So, post-exam, rather than reliving and dwelling on the stress, reflect on all your hard work.
Finally, adopting a growth mindset can transform how we perceive exams. Instead of viewing them as pass-or-fail moments, they can be seen as opportunities for feedback and self-improvement. Students can cultivate resilience and a love for knowledge that transcends any single assessment by focusing on the learning journey rather than the end result.
therefor, while exams may always play a role in education, it’s time to shift the narrative. By embracing a broader definition of success and recognizing the limitations of traditional testing, we can reduce anxiety and foster a healthier, more inclusive approach to learning. Ultimately, education should empower students, not confine them to the pressures of performance.
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