Nobody likes the exam season. It’s one of the most stressful times of the year. We deal with pressures that may overwhelm us. It is easy to get stressed out by the various activities synonymous with the exam period. Most people let the exams consume their lives. Therefore, harming their performance.
It doesn’t have to be the case with you. You don’t have to let the exams weigh you down. Sanity and calmness are crucial during the exam period. Here are seven tips to stay calm and sane as you sit for your exams.
Got a Study Plan?
Do you have a plan? You need a detailed daily schedule summing up all the activities you need to accomplish weeks leading up to and during the exam period. You’ll also need a comprehensive study plan to help you exhaustively study for every course. Create it weeks before the examination period. It will help you cover all the study areas you need to address. The study plan will give an overview of what you need to cover. Set aside time for each subject.
Remember not to exaggerate with the studying. A little at a time will stick more than feeding your brain with lots of information within a short period. Besides, you’ll have sufficient time to study everything you need before sitting for the exam.
Get Enough Sleep
All night studying or cramming will harm your scores instead of improving them. Adults need more than seven hours of sleep to feel rested. Teenagers and children may require more than seven hours of sleep. Sadly, sleep deprivation often occurs during the examination period.
Constant sleep deprivation affects how you consume information, increases stress levels, leads to impaired immunity, and sets you up for a below-par cognitive performance. It’ll affect how you reason or solve problems during the examination period. Also, sleep deprivation negatively impacts all the skills you need to ace your exams. Therefore, plan out time to study during the daytime to avoid an all-nighter situation. Limit caffeine intake to improve your sleep patterns during the exam period.
Set Aside Some “Me” Time
You should set aside a significant chunk of your time for your books and projects. But you also deserve some time for yourself. You will need to slice out time to exercise, focus on your well-being, and meditate. “Me” time doesn’t mean you turn into a layabout and binge on your favorite TV shows.
Set thirty minutes each day to exercise. You can do it at home or in your room. Get your heart and muscles pumped up with dumbbell exercises. You can also walk if you prefer low-intensity workouts. The walk gets rid of frustrations, clears your head, and distresses you. You can also meditate while working out through yoga. Get a mat and yoga videos to stretch your muscles. It’s a good de-stressor.
Bar Distractions
Social media are the biggest distractions that stand between you and a good score during the examination period. You’ll need to restrict notifications from Instagram, Snapchat, or Facebook. Instead of hopping from one social media platform to the next, use your phone or devices to access study tools. Also, toggle on the “Do Not Disturb” mode.
What You Eat Matters
What you consume weeks leading to and during the examination period may affect how you handle the pressures that come during this period. Instead of taking in lots of stimulants, coffee, and processed foods, eat lots of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats. A healthy diet will help clear and sharpen your mind. It will also help you understand and retain what you read as you prepare for the exams.
Set Up Different Study Spots
Although it’s good to have a spot designated for your studies at home or school, you will need other study areas you can turn to when feeling overwhelmed or stressed. If you find it challenging to focus on your books, change your environment.
Aromatherapy Works
Once in a while, indulge in aromatherapy. It’s a fantastic way to let out the tension. It is common to feel tense before and during the examination period. The scents, for example, eucalyptus, will help you stay calm, get better at memorizing things, and improve your ability to focus on tasks. Lavender is a good de-stressor. It will help calm your nerves.
Concluding Thoughts
Don’t let your exams consume you. Instead, adequately prepare for the exams, eat right, get enough sleep, exercise, and meditate. These tips will help you stay calm and ace your exams. Once the exams are over, take time to relax and rejuvenate. You lived through the examination period and the stresses typical during this period. You deserve to reward your whole body with a relaxation treat.