IN an increasingly competitive world, young people writing exams are arguably under more pressure than ever before, knowing that their results need to give them an advantage when applying for higher education or employment.
This means that they are also exposed to increasingly higher levels of stress – stress that can, if not managed properly, become debilitating and even affect their performance.
Dr Gillian Mooney, Teaching and Learning Manager at The Independent Institute of Education, says it is therefore vital for parents and other caregivers to monitor the mental well being of pupils and students in addition to their preparation, as there are a number of ways that stress can be manipulated to improve performance rather than allowing it to be an unnecessary hurdle.
Stress can easily be managed if a student takes heed of the following tips:
• Believe in yourself
If you have worked consistently since the start of the year, you should be fine and there is no need to worry excessively.
• Don’t try to be perfect
It’s good to have goals, but these need to be realistic. If you believe that anything less than 100% means you have failed, then you are creating unnecessary stress for yourself.
• Keep things in perspective
Exams may seem like the most important thing right now, but in the context of your whole life, they are only really a small part. Life will be worth living regardless of an exam. Give yourself credit for getting as far as you have.
• Be proactive in tackling your problems
If you do not understand some of the material, merely feeling stressed about it will not help. Rather make an appointment to see your lecturer, talk to your classmates, or review a past exam paper.
• Structure your study time
You need to study in regular sessions of about 50 minutes each, separated by 10 minute breaks.
• Plan for the exam
Try to arrive at the exam venue early. Wear a watch or make sure you know where the clock is in the exam venue. Wear layers of clothes so that you can adjust when you feel hot or cold. Make a list of all the materials you will need in the exam room and be sure to pack it before you go.
• Avoid the things that won’t help
Try not to drink too much coffee the night before and the morning of the exam. Avoid other students who are anxious and talkative before the exam and avoid talking about the course material just before the exam.
