When it comes to exam taking, this can be a very stressful time for many people. It can make you scared and overwhelmed before a test. Everyone can feel this way, and it’s okay. But the good news is that there are some great tips and strategies you can put in place to help you cope with exam stress and anxiety. And in this article, we will cover 8 great tips that will help you cope with exam stress and make you feel more confident.

What is exam stress?

So what is stress anyway? Many of us know what it’s like to feel stressed, but it’s not easy to describe what stress is.

The truth is there’s no single definition of stress, and it might even feel different from person to person. How we experience stress can feel different at different times. It can also depend on what’s causing it.

Feeling stressed, worried, or under pressure around exams can be difficult to manage. But there are things that can help – it’s all about finding what works and is right for you.

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Tips To Cope With Exams Stress

Tip 1. Manage your time

The first and most important thing you need to do is learn to manage your time. This is extremely helpful as it can help to focus on things that matter most.

In such a context, you must give priority to studying and revising time. To do that, you can prioritize your time by creating a schedule that accounts for each exam date and the number of subjects or topics that need to be covered. This will give you a brief idea of how much time you need to spend on each exam topic and when you need to start revising.

As you progress through your study and revision, mark off the topics you’ve completed. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and help you track your progress, reducing anxiety and increasing motivation.

Tip 2. Set Goals and Be Organized

This tip is closely related to the one I just mentioned above. But I can’t emphasize enough how taking a few minutes to set goals and get yourself organized will help you to decrease exam stress. Setting realistic goals is key to handling exam stress and anxiety.

No matter how soon your exam is, taking the time to set achievable targets is helpful. This keeps you on track and avoids overworking yourself.

It’s better to set goals you can reach than ones that make you more stressed. Make a study plan that fits the time you have and what you can do. Once you’ve got them organize yourself for productivity. Break your study time into small tasks. Celebrate every small achievement. This way, you’ll feel more in control and less pressured by the exam.

Balance is essential in managing exam stress. With achievable goals, you’ll feel clearer and more confident during your exam. This can help you deal with any pressure that comes up.

Tip 3. Stay Away From Social Media Before Exams

I know, this might be a bit tricky and challenging but is worth trying. After all, you won’t be writing exams all year round. And, believe it or not, staying away from social media when revising (or studying) can do wonders for your stress levels.

when revising, try to keep your phone off, or at least put it on “Silent mode”. Try your best to avoid checking your social media apps like Instagram and TikTok while revising. We all know how fast time can fly when we are diving into the internet.

If you need some help or perhaps some insentivation to release yourself from your phone, you can try using some time management apps like Forest, Hold app, or Habitica. These apps reward you for avoiding the use of your phone. I know, it sounds crazy but they actually do. In fact, Hold app gives you rewards like Amazon vouchers, cinema tickets, and free coffee. So feel free to check them out, “AFTER YOU FINISH STUDYING & REVISING”😉.

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Tip 4. Exercise And Eat Healthily

Sometimes the idea of exercising high stress feels like the last thing you need to do. But, you will feel better afterward. Exercise helps to get your blood flowing and your heart pumping. It is a proven stress-buster as it helps to produce endorphins. So, when you stop working out, you can feel a lot more active than you had been earlier.

Try to motivate yourself to engage in physical activity, whether it’s a run, gym session, or even a relaxing short walk.

You should also try to eat well and healthy during stressful periods, as this can significantly impact your mental health and well-being. Eating right, and moving, will certainly help you do better during exams. Remember, self-care is an investment in your future. It makes you stronger and clearer-minded for the test challenges ahead. Not only for taking tests!

Tip 5. Get enough sleep

Sleeping well is crucial, especially during exams. Not getting a full night’s rest can contribute to feelings of fatigue, stress, and anxiety.

The advantage of having proper sleep is often underestimated. However, studies and scientific experiments have proven that sleep helps your brain absorb more knowledge and remember information for longer periods of time. Moreover, a good night’s sleep can help you concentrate better and reduce stress.

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Tip 6. Practice with Mock Exams

Practice is key to managing exam stress. One major source of anxiety is uncertainty about what to expect on exam day, including the types of questions and how to answer them effectively. To alleviate this, try to find examples of past exam questions to get an idea of what to expect.

With so much information on the internet, you can find almost everything you need if you know how to look for it. But if you cannot find this kind of exams, or questions, then try reviewing similar essays or assignments that you saw throughout the year. This can be very helpful especially if you focus on mock exam questions on topics you are less confident about; so you can easily make plans and practice answering them.

Tip 7. Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine, And Nicotine

Not drinking coffee or tea during exam time sounds like something impossible to avoid. And you might be thinking, “How am I going to stay awake long enough to memorize that 600-plus page textbook without some caffeine to get you through? Or do cigarettes help you to relax afterward?

Well, to start with, caffeine is a stimulant and it can increase your stress levels. And the same applies to nicotine. But realistically speaking, for many quitting drinking coffee or smoking can take some time. But, you might also try swapping coffee for herbal tea or water and this will keep your body hydrated and allow you to cope with stress. 

As for consuming alcohol, this could sound obvious but try to avoid alcohol before and during exams too. Alcohol can act as a depressant when used in large quantities. Now you know why so can look so terribly awful when drunk. Besides, it can make stress harder to deal with.

Alternatively, you could try some cheap but tasty non-alcoholic drinks instead of consuming alcohol. The result? Cutting out all of these substances, will improve your sleep, have a better mood, and feel less stress. !Trust me!

Tip 8. Don’t be too hard on yourself

When it comes to dealing with exam stress, then it’s important to have an open mind and not to give yourself such a hard time. It will also help to have realistic expectations.

Focus on the bigger picture and remember that a single mediocre result won’t define your entire future.

When you put yourself under too much pressure this can hurt your mental or physical health. Try to be kind to yourself during periods of high stress or anxiety. Think of your exams as one of the many steps you will need to take to make yourself grow. This will give you more motivation to work harder and to be ready for the outcome, whatever this might be.

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Conclusion

Great! Now that you know how to cope with exam stress, is time for you to put these helpful tips into practice and get back into study mode. Don’t forget things will get better even if they look tough now. The key is to find the best ways to handle exam stress that better fits you. And remember, “You do better when you’re not as worried or stressed.”