Exams Stressing You Out? Tips for Success – Not Stress!
By Aveeve Heyens While stress is a normal part of life, some things, like tests or exams, are more stressful than others! Here is what you can do to get through it! Study Tips Make a study schedule- figure out how much time you really have to study. Start small- if it is overwhelming tell yourself to only study for 10 min and see what happens. Most ppl will keep studying. Ask questions- if you don’t get something ask your teacher or a friend. Find a good study spot- with no distractions, shut off the tv and your phone Take breaks- get up every 50 mins and go for a walk, stretch or move your body. Healthy Tips Get enough sleep- most teens need 8+ hours every night. Watch
While stress is a normal part of life, some things, like tests or exams, are more stressful than others! Here is what you can do to get through it!
Study Tips
- Make a study schedule- figure out how much time you really have to study.
- Start small- if it is overwhelming tell yourself to only study for 10 min and see what happens. Most ppl will keep studying.
- Ask questions- if you don’t get something ask your teacher or a friend.
- Find a good study spot- with no distractions, shut off the tv and your phone
- Take breaks- get up every 50 mins and go for a walk, stretch or move your body.
Healthy Tips
- Get enough sleep- most teens need 8+ hours every night.
- Watch your caffeine- coffee and energy drinks may provide a quick boost but also mess with your sleep and cause an energy crash.
- Move your body- exercise is a stress buster- even 10 minutes can help so do something fun- ride a bike, walk to a friends, play a game or activity you enjoy.
- Fuel up- studying and learning take lots of energy- so replace that energy by snaking on energy boosters like cheese & crackers, fruit, veggies, nuts, or yoghurt and remember to drink lot’s of water.
Exam Day
- Don’t pull an all nighter- our brain works best when it is rested.
- Plan ahead- get your test gear, like calculators/pencils, ready the night before
- Don’t rush- set your alarm so that you have time to get to your exam on time
- Eat- stress may give us an upset stomach but you should still try to eat something small, like some cheese or fruit. If you just can’t eat you could bring some hard candy to suck on during the exam- like lifesavers or jollyranchers.
- You know more than you think- if you can’t remember the answer to a q right away don’t stress. Just move on to the next question and do your best. Sometimes doing other q’s will help us remember the answer.
- Pace yourself- read the exam quickly before you start so that you know what q’s are worth more marks, then spend more time on those q’s.
- Let go- Remember that once it is over there is no point stressing about what you did wrong. What’s done is done. Go out and do something fun to reward all your hard work.
Download booklet on test anxiety:
http://www.anxietybc.com/sites/default/files/Test_Anxiety_Booklet.pdf
For more info and tips check out:
http://mindyourmind.ca/toolbox/stress-busters
http://youth.anxietybc.com/relaxation
http://au.reachout.com/Beating-exam-stress
http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/school/test_terror.html
http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/Teens/InfoBooth/School/Study-tips.aspx
With exerpts from “Exam Stress?” A pamphlet sponsored by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program, supported by a grant from the Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Centre (MATC) Foundation
SOURCE: Women’s Health Clinic – Read entire story here.
