How to Overcome Exam Tension
Get enough sleep to keep you energized for your exam., Eat right leading up to your exam., Exercise to reduce exam-related stress., Adopt a positive attitude about school., Have perspective regarding your exam., Follow a consistent routine., Be...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Get enough sleep to keep you energized for your exam.
Not sleeping right can affect your mood, leading to an excess of stress.
In the weeks leading up to the exam, make sleep a priority.
Strive for solid nights of high quality sleep.If you're still in high school, aim for
8.5 to 10 hours of sleep a night.
If you're over 18,
7.5 to 9 hours should be enough.Make sure you establish a regular bedtime.
Go to sleep around the same time each night, and do something to help you wind down.
You could, for example, have a cup of herbal tea and read a book before bed. -
Step 2: Eat right leading up to your exam.
You may be tempted to binge eat on junk food due to stress.
However, this is unlikely to make you feel more relaxed.
Food has a direct effect on your mood, so make sure to eat high quality foods leading up to your exam.
This will reduce your overall stress.Avoid high-fat, high-sugar, and high-caffeine foods.
These will only increase your stress levels.
Instead, go for plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins like fish., If you exercise regularly, do not neglect your work out routine during exam time.
It's okay to cut out ten or 15 minutes from your regular routine if you're low on time, but you should not stop exercising altogether because an exam is coming up.
Exercise can help regulate your mood, leading to lower overall stress.If you don't normally exercise, this is a good time to start.
Try walking or going for a bike ride for 15 minutes a day, around three times a week.
You can also exercise with others.
Play a game of softball or go for a bike ride with friends. , If you're down on yourself, you're more likely to stress out.
Instead of convincing yourself you're doomed to failure, go into the exam with a positive mentality.
Adopt a positive personal mantra to keep your mood up while you study.Think of something positive you can say to yourself when you feel stressed.
For example, you could say something like, "I'm working hard and I will succeed." When you feel stressed, repeat this mantra while taking deep, soothing breaths. , If you're stressed out over an exam, you may be placing too much importance on it.
It's good to be conscientious of your grades.
You should care about doing well in school.
However, try to keep things in perspective.
One exam is not going to make or break your life.
Do your best, but keep in mind even the worse case scenario will not be a disaster.The worst thing that can happen is you will do bad on the exam.
This can be a setback for you academically, but keep in mind everyone screws up an exam at least once in their life.
Getting a low grade in one exam, or even one class, is unlikely to affect you much long term.
Even if you don't do as well as you hoped, you can bounce back in the future. , If you establish a study routine you follow each day, you're more likely to stick to it.
A lot of stress comes from feeling inadequately prepared.
If you're studying regularly, you'll feel more prepared and therefore less stressed.Figure out what works best for you.
If you're a morning person, study in the morning.
If you focus better at night, study in the evening.
Pick a regular place to study that's free of distractions.
If your dorm room tends to be loud, for example, you can study at the library.
Make sure to study a little each day, sticking to roughly the same routine. , If you panic in the face of a problem, this will only increase your stress level.
If you're stuck on a certain subject, don't start stressing out and beating yourself up.
Instead, be proactive.
Say to yourself, "There's still time to figure out this concept." Then, go about increasing your understanding of the subject.You can spend extra time studying the concept that's confusing you.
You can dedicate a single study session to mastering a tricky concept.
You can also reach out to your professors or other students for help.
If you respond proactively to struggles, you won't feel stressed.
You will feel a sense of power at your willingness to overcome difficulties. , If your concentration does not last for a full hour, you should take ten to 15 minute breaks throughout your study sessions.
Try taking a 15 minute break every hour, for example, and see if that improves your stress level.Do something you enjoy during your breaks.
Give yourself 15 minutes to watch television or browse Facebook, for example. , There is no such thing as a perfect student.
Keep this in mind as you study.
You need to accept the fact you will struggle on occasion.
Allowing yourself to be imperfect will reduce your stress over an exam.Loosen up your definition of success and failure.
Anything less than an "A" does not mean you failed.
If you shoot this high while studying, you will get angrier at yourself for perceived failures.
Instead of focusing on a concrete outcome, like a certain grade, just try to do your best.
Don't think, "I need to get an A." Instead, think, "I need to try my best and be proud of the grade I get."
Nothing will make an exam more stressful than showing up unprepared.
If you start off the exam scrambling to borrow a pen, you'll go in stressed.
The night before the exam, get everything you need ready.Prepare a bag with all the essentials.
Make sure you have a pen, and anything extra you need, like a calculator.
If it's a long exam, you may want to bring a bottle of water.
You also may want to do something like lay out the clothes you'll be wearing.
This can help you get ready efficiently in the morning. , When you're in the exam room, do not let your mind wander.
As soon as the exam is set down before you, focus your energy there and nowhere else.Avoid wondering how others are doing.
Do not get caught up in the fact someone has finished before you.
Keep your energies focused on the exam at hand.
Take it one question at a time.
Do not worry about the next question while answering the current question. , You may tense up at certain points during the exam.
During these times, do something to loosen up.
Take a few deep breaths.
Stretch.
Close your eyes for a few seconds.
Taking a few moments to relax can help you ease exam anxiety., Scan the exam before you start and look for your strong areas.
Tackle these questions first.
This way, you'll get a chunk of the exam done right away.
You'll be feeling more confident as you move on to the other questions.
This will also give you more time to focus on the difficult questions., You do not want to end up scrambling to complete the exam as time is running out.
Be conscious of time as you complete the exam.
Periodically glance at your watch to make sure you're not giving too much energy or focus to a single question.Break up the exam into sections.
If it's, say, three pages, and you have 45 minutes to complete it, try to stick to 15 minutes per page. , There is no shame in reaching out for help if you're confused.
If you're struggling with a concept, talk to your instructor while there's still time.
He or she will probably be happy to help you better understand the subject material.You can ask your teacher or professor after class if they can help you with a problem you're having.
You can also visit a professor during office hours or email him or her asking for help.
Are there any resource centers for students on your campus? If so, visit them.
If you're struggling with a math exam, for example, go to your school's math resource center and ask for help. , It's never a good idea to keep things bottled up.
If you're stressed about an exam, talk to your fellow students.
Open up about how you're feeling and ask them for support.Choose friends and family members who tend to be laid back, empathetic, and supportive.
These people are more likely to listen and care.
Avoid people who are also high stress.
If you vent to someone experiencing their own exam stress, the two of you may only stress one another out more. , Take advantage of any resources provided to you.
Your school may offer classes or seminars teaching basic study skills.
Your school's website may also offer advice on study skills.
Effective study skills can help reduce overall stress., If you consistently struggle with exam stress, you may have an underlying anxiety disorder.
You may engage in certain thoughts and behaviors that worsen you're anxiety.
If you're unable to overcome exam stress on your own, seek counseling.If you're a university student, you may be entitled to free counseling from your college. -
Step 3: Exercise to reduce exam-related stress.
-
Step 4: Adopt a positive attitude about school.
-
Step 5: Have perspective regarding your exam.
-
Step 6: Follow a consistent routine.
-
Step 7: Be proactive about dealing with academic problems.
-
Step 8: Take breaks while studying.
-
Step 9: Accept imperfections regarding your academic performance.
-
Step 10: Pack everything you need the night before.
-
Step 11: Focus on only the exam.
-
Step 12: Strive to relax when you feel tense.
-
Step 13: Start with the easiest questions.
-
Step 14: Keep track of time.
-
Step 15: Ask for help on a subject when you need it.
-
Step 16: Vent about your exam stress to others.
-
Step 17: Learn basic study skills from your school.
-
Step 18: Consider professional counseling.
Detailed Guide
Not sleeping right can affect your mood, leading to an excess of stress.
In the weeks leading up to the exam, make sleep a priority.
Strive for solid nights of high quality sleep.If you're still in high school, aim for
8.5 to 10 hours of sleep a night.
If you're over 18,
7.5 to 9 hours should be enough.Make sure you establish a regular bedtime.
Go to sleep around the same time each night, and do something to help you wind down.
You could, for example, have a cup of herbal tea and read a book before bed.
You may be tempted to binge eat on junk food due to stress.
However, this is unlikely to make you feel more relaxed.
Food has a direct effect on your mood, so make sure to eat high quality foods leading up to your exam.
This will reduce your overall stress.Avoid high-fat, high-sugar, and high-caffeine foods.
These will only increase your stress levels.
Instead, go for plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins like fish., If you exercise regularly, do not neglect your work out routine during exam time.
It's okay to cut out ten or 15 minutes from your regular routine if you're low on time, but you should not stop exercising altogether because an exam is coming up.
Exercise can help regulate your mood, leading to lower overall stress.If you don't normally exercise, this is a good time to start.
Try walking or going for a bike ride for 15 minutes a day, around three times a week.
You can also exercise with others.
Play a game of softball or go for a bike ride with friends. , If you're down on yourself, you're more likely to stress out.
Instead of convincing yourself you're doomed to failure, go into the exam with a positive mentality.
Adopt a positive personal mantra to keep your mood up while you study.Think of something positive you can say to yourself when you feel stressed.
For example, you could say something like, "I'm working hard and I will succeed." When you feel stressed, repeat this mantra while taking deep, soothing breaths. , If you're stressed out over an exam, you may be placing too much importance on it.
It's good to be conscientious of your grades.
You should care about doing well in school.
However, try to keep things in perspective.
One exam is not going to make or break your life.
Do your best, but keep in mind even the worse case scenario will not be a disaster.The worst thing that can happen is you will do bad on the exam.
This can be a setback for you academically, but keep in mind everyone screws up an exam at least once in their life.
Getting a low grade in one exam, or even one class, is unlikely to affect you much long term.
Even if you don't do as well as you hoped, you can bounce back in the future. , If you establish a study routine you follow each day, you're more likely to stick to it.
A lot of stress comes from feeling inadequately prepared.
If you're studying regularly, you'll feel more prepared and therefore less stressed.Figure out what works best for you.
If you're a morning person, study in the morning.
If you focus better at night, study in the evening.
Pick a regular place to study that's free of distractions.
If your dorm room tends to be loud, for example, you can study at the library.
Make sure to study a little each day, sticking to roughly the same routine. , If you panic in the face of a problem, this will only increase your stress level.
If you're stuck on a certain subject, don't start stressing out and beating yourself up.
Instead, be proactive.
Say to yourself, "There's still time to figure out this concept." Then, go about increasing your understanding of the subject.You can spend extra time studying the concept that's confusing you.
You can dedicate a single study session to mastering a tricky concept.
You can also reach out to your professors or other students for help.
If you respond proactively to struggles, you won't feel stressed.
You will feel a sense of power at your willingness to overcome difficulties. , If your concentration does not last for a full hour, you should take ten to 15 minute breaks throughout your study sessions.
Try taking a 15 minute break every hour, for example, and see if that improves your stress level.Do something you enjoy during your breaks.
Give yourself 15 minutes to watch television or browse Facebook, for example. , There is no such thing as a perfect student.
Keep this in mind as you study.
You need to accept the fact you will struggle on occasion.
Allowing yourself to be imperfect will reduce your stress over an exam.Loosen up your definition of success and failure.
Anything less than an "A" does not mean you failed.
If you shoot this high while studying, you will get angrier at yourself for perceived failures.
Instead of focusing on a concrete outcome, like a certain grade, just try to do your best.
Don't think, "I need to get an A." Instead, think, "I need to try my best and be proud of the grade I get."
Nothing will make an exam more stressful than showing up unprepared.
If you start off the exam scrambling to borrow a pen, you'll go in stressed.
The night before the exam, get everything you need ready.Prepare a bag with all the essentials.
Make sure you have a pen, and anything extra you need, like a calculator.
If it's a long exam, you may want to bring a bottle of water.
You also may want to do something like lay out the clothes you'll be wearing.
This can help you get ready efficiently in the morning. , When you're in the exam room, do not let your mind wander.
As soon as the exam is set down before you, focus your energy there and nowhere else.Avoid wondering how others are doing.
Do not get caught up in the fact someone has finished before you.
Keep your energies focused on the exam at hand.
Take it one question at a time.
Do not worry about the next question while answering the current question. , You may tense up at certain points during the exam.
During these times, do something to loosen up.
Take a few deep breaths.
Stretch.
Close your eyes for a few seconds.
Taking a few moments to relax can help you ease exam anxiety., Scan the exam before you start and look for your strong areas.
Tackle these questions first.
This way, you'll get a chunk of the exam done right away.
You'll be feeling more confident as you move on to the other questions.
This will also give you more time to focus on the difficult questions., You do not want to end up scrambling to complete the exam as time is running out.
Be conscious of time as you complete the exam.
Periodically glance at your watch to make sure you're not giving too much energy or focus to a single question.Break up the exam into sections.
If it's, say, three pages, and you have 45 minutes to complete it, try to stick to 15 minutes per page. , There is no shame in reaching out for help if you're confused.
If you're struggling with a concept, talk to your instructor while there's still time.
He or she will probably be happy to help you better understand the subject material.You can ask your teacher or professor after class if they can help you with a problem you're having.
You can also visit a professor during office hours or email him or her asking for help.
Are there any resource centers for students on your campus? If so, visit them.
If you're struggling with a math exam, for example, go to your school's math resource center and ask for help. , It's never a good idea to keep things bottled up.
If you're stressed about an exam, talk to your fellow students.
Open up about how you're feeling and ask them for support.Choose friends and family members who tend to be laid back, empathetic, and supportive.
These people are more likely to listen and care.
Avoid people who are also high stress.
If you vent to someone experiencing their own exam stress, the two of you may only stress one another out more. , Take advantage of any resources provided to you.
Your school may offer classes or seminars teaching basic study skills.
Your school's website may also offer advice on study skills.
Effective study skills can help reduce overall stress., If you consistently struggle with exam stress, you may have an underlying anxiety disorder.
You may engage in certain thoughts and behaviors that worsen you're anxiety.
If you're unable to overcome exam stress on your own, seek counseling.If you're a university student, you may be entitled to free counseling from your college.
About the Author
Walter Roberts
Walter Roberts has dedicated 11 years to mastering education and learning. As a content creator, Walter focuses on providing actionable tips and step-by-step guides.
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