Exam stress can get the better of anyone. No matter how calm and composed you maybe otherwise, preparing for exams can get you tensed up. Lydia Young and Eric Winter of the Northeastern University have come up with five simple tips to get any student through this stressful time.
Their first tip towards having a good study routine is to make a checklist of all the upcoming assignments. Students should be able to put this according to the range of priority to help them organise their efforts efficiently. Nothing works if one doesn’t have a proper plan. Their next tip is to create a proper schedule of how you are going to work – which topics need more focus, with whom are you going to cover that, and where need to be jotted down. Remember to keep it personalised. Your friend might need the calm of her room to study while you may need the bustle of a coffee shop. Whatever puts you in your optimum state of mind gains priority.
Finding a good study buddy to study is also a good option. Look for someone whose pace, priorities, and studying style match with yours. Comparing notes and making study plans together become easier this way. Once you believe a considerable amount of work has been done and the D-day is nearing, your study buddy can also become your relax buddy. You need to keep your head calm so that it doesn’t become too overwhelming as it nears the exam date. Give yourself a movie break or read a comic to refresh your head.
Above all, remember to take care of yourself. You should be your priority. Eat healthy and right; give some time for daily exercise. “Caring for your whole body allows you to sustain energy and keeps your mind sharp so you can demonstrate your knowledge and achieve your academic goals,” Winter says.
N Malavika Mohan