It is natural to get stressed while studying. When you are preparing for your exams, the stress levels start soaring. As a result, you will find it very challenging to manage your studies. Your attention gets distracted while studying. Also, your thoughts dwindle when reading any topics, leading to a lack of concentration and focus.
Consequently, you will skip the topics or postpone them to later, and cram everything just a day or two before the exam. Ultimately, your studies get crippled.
Eustress, also called beneficial stress, is one type of stress that helps build motivation to perform better. The other kind of stress, called distress, is a negative one. It will harm you both physically and emotionally. It is essential to keep this stress at bay, especially during exams.
If you are a student struggling to deal with anxiety and stress, the good news is that you can control it. This article will discuss some effective tips that will help you de-stress during your exams.
1. Prepare a scheduled plan of study.
Before you start, you need to have a proper study plan. Prepare a scheduled study plan that contains all you need to do for that day. Make sure it has all the tasks for the day, including the breaks. Do not be harsh on yourself. Make time for some activities in your timetable to help you de-stress yourself.
2. Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
If you want to stay de-stressed while preparing for your exams, you need to know your strengths and weaknesses. Let us accept the fact that not all subjects are easy for everyone. There will be a complex subject for students, which they find challenging to study. The best thing you can do it counter this is by prioritizing your things. For instance, you can try this. Get started with the complicated subjects first. Gradually, you can proceed to the easier ones. This way, you can feel more accomplished with the tasks in your timetable. It further keeps you motivated to study without feeling anxious or stressed.
3. Do not neglect revision.
When studying, revision is a must. After you finish a topic or a chapter, make sure you revise it again. It will help you retain the concepts easily, and you do not have to waste time trying to recollect things during exams. Remember, these 3R’s are very important.
Read
Revise
Repeat
Read the topics and revise them repeatedly until you are ready.
4. Take regular breaks.
Most students tend to overwork, intending to complete the syllabus. It is only paramount to your stress. Overworking is not advisable. We recommend you take regular breaks in between. Taking short intervals of about 15-20 min will help you feel refreshed. Make sure you do not take long breaks, else you may find it challenging to get back on track. Do not be overburdened or pressured to complete the syllabus. Instead, take some short breaks and proceed with your studying. It will help you retain your focus and stay concentrated.
Also read: Tips to Increase Productivity while Studying
5. Do not neglect your health.
Studies are essential, and so is your health. If you neglect your health, it can take a toll on your physical and mental health. Eat healthily and sleep properly. Stress and lack of time may cause you to neglect taking care of your body and mind. If you want to reduce your stress levels and stay focused when you study, your mind needs to be fresh and healthy. For that, you can do a regular workout and take a healthy diet. Remember, your mental and physical health is a priority if you want to stay focused while studying.
6. Get adequate sleep.
Having a good night’s sleep is key to keeping yourself stress-free. Make sure you allow your body enough rest and sleep for at least eight hours during the night. If possible, take a power nap in between your study schedule. It refreshes your mind and body.
7. Identify your distractions.
The very first thing you ought to do is identify your distractions. It is natural to get distracted from the work you are doing. The reasons could be social media, text messages, WhatsApp messages, etc. These could shift your focus from your books to your smartphones or gadgets. A minute’s distraction can lead to investing your time in something not productive. Hence, you need to identify these distractions and overcome them in the first place.
8. Stay motivated.
The most important thing you need to do to de-stress yourself is stay motivated. It is easy to get anxious, stressed, and distracted when you feel de-motivated. So, the best thing you can do is keep yourself motivated. And the ideal way for doing this is to find something to do that drives you. If you stay motivated, the lesser are the chances of getting distracted. The more effective your studies will be, and you will have the determination to study concepts, absorb, and retain them better.
Final Thoughts
If you want to de-stress yourself during exams, the strategies mentioned in this article are of great help. Next time you feel anxious, make sure you follow these eight tips, and you will notice the difference yourself.
Let us know in the comments section below if you have any other tips to add. If you have followed the above strategies, post your experiences in the comments and let our readers know how helpful they are.
