“Keep calm, it’s just an Exam” 

“Competitive Exams”, these two words are dreaded by all students everywhere. These exams can often be very overwhelming. One might experience all sorts of anxiety, panic attack, and negative thoughts in their mind resulting in nothing but just wastage of time and a poor result in your exams. You’re not the only one, though. Every single person who has ever given an exam has faced some kind of stress and nervousness. Plus, at times our mental health gets disturbed. The one main thing along with a few hacks written below that one needs to remember is that it’s JUST an exam.

It’s easier said than done, and that’s why the following are a few simple tricks to help you deal with your anxiety as board exams can’t be avoided but you can at least try and avoid the unnecessary stress that comes along with it.

Moreover, this quick guide is a guide that has hacks written to help deal with the exam stress and anxiety, not a guide for “how to properly study during board exams” Here’s a guide if you want to learn more about “how to properly study during board exams” because a lot of times even when you’re completely prepared for your exams well in time with all the revision done as well, you might face a lot of anxiety and stress. Hence here are tips to help you deal with unwanted yet unavoidable anxiety.

1.     Take a breath!

Relax, you need to be in a calm space of mind to start studying and writing an exam. If you’re worried from the beginning itself about if you’re going to do well in your exam or not then in so much stress and pressure you won’t even be able to study properly, leave aside writing the exam. You need to stay healthy and just breathe. Too much stress might also result in your health being at risk which would eventually lead to rising in your blood pressure. Hence, stressing out is never a solution. 

Pro Tip: Research shows that a 10-minute deep breathing relaxation technique will mollify your stress hormone and reduce muscle tension in your body.

• 2.     It’s JUST an exam. 

This is the main thing students need to keep in their mind is that this is JUST a little test of their knowledge and they should be proud of whatever they score as they’ve earned it. And this isn’t the last exam they’re ever going to give. They will have a lot of other chances to prove themselves where they can do better. And mainly, your board exam marks do not define you. They have been overhyped so much, to extent that students forget the main reason they’re held, for you to know how well you can do and what your potential is, not to showcase anything to the world. 

• 3.     Everyone goes through it!

No matter how strong or confident a student or a friend of yours looks before or during an exam, they are also definitely going through a lot of stress and anxiety just like you are. So you don’t need to feel inferior to them just because of how they seem they are on the outside or how well they score. The feeling is mutual, trust me. Everyone is trying to fight this battle called board exam stress and you will too be able to overcome the anxiety, once and for all.

• 4.     In the moment

Now, coming to a few points you might want to keep in mind before the exam, during the exam and after your exam that could help you with preparing yourself better and might just help you with your anxiety are:

• Before the exam

1.     Keep your body healthy and fit and get adequate rest

2.     Avoid comparing your preparation with your friends’

3.     If you believe in manifestation, keep thinking “I am prepared and I can do this”

4.     Design your schedule well 

5.     Know your plus points and your weaknesses and accordingly work on both

• During the exam 

1.     Take deep breaths if you feel you’re stressing out 

2.     Always remember, that this is just an exam, everyone around you writing the paper is feeling the same way as you are.

3.     Do not unnecessarily hurry just to complete before others.

4.     Do not get intimidated by the number of sheets other students are taking

• After the exam

a.     Avoid discussing the answers with your friends, it will only make you more anxious about if your answer was perfect or not.

b.     Do not get stressed or waste your time over thinking about the questions you had to leave that you didn’t know the answers to or over what you could have written differently or better

c.      Do not get angry with yourself for not performing your best, if you feel so. Instead, be proud of yourself for writing whatever you did

d.     Take a break after returning home, do not rush into studying for the next exam just because you want to do better, and start studying only when you feel better.

• 5.     Get enough sleep

Studying for long hours on a stretch is onerous and appalling. When you suppress your sleeping hours more than usual, research shows us that your stress levels will accumulate. Stress can make it more challenging to fall asleep. Moreover, it can even lead to sleep disorders. At the same time, getting a good night’s sleep reduces the effects of stress and anxiety.

• 6.     Aromatherapy heals

When nothing works, aromatherapy works. Blend in some aroma oils in a diffuser and relax inhaling the fumes. Science has proven its good effects on our nervous system and we highly recommended you to try it. This will aid you to deal with exam stress and anxiety.

Below are some essential oils associated with reducing stress:

• a)     Valerian
• b)    Lavender
• c)     Jasmine
• d)    Holy basil
• e)     Bergamot
• f)      vetiver

7) Have a dark chocolate

The results showed that eating dark chocolate daily reduced stress hormone levels in those who had high anxiety levels. Researchers also say dark chocolate appeared to have beneficial effects on the participants’ metabolism and microbial activity in the gut.

So, next time when you feel performance anxiety grab dark chocolate and you’re good to go!

We at ESPA Learn, consult schools upgrading their schooling system and providing a guaranteed solution that will help their students score good grades in their exams. Our client, SP Smart Schools is already showing excellent results in their students by implementing our latest hybrid schooling system.

If your school doesn’t have this system yet then are you really studying in the right school?

To know more: contact us now!

All in all, these are some easy-peasy steps, tricks, or tips, whatever you might want to call them that could help you deal with exam stress and anxiety. And for the last time, at all times remember, it is just an exam. 

The post Easiest Tips To Overcome Competitive Exam Stress & Anxiety Now appeared first on ESPA Learn.

1)      Start the first flush of the morning

Well, covering yourself under a cozy blanket must be tempting but never underestimate the power of the early hours as it’s the most prominent time when our brain is at an optimal level wherein it can absorb the most information. So, we recommend waking around 9-10am (even earlier, better), taking a shower followed by a healthy breakfast is enough to kick start your revision day and feel content at the end of the day.

2)      Plan your revision timetable            

Make a realistic revision timetable and doing so will aid you in organizing your revision courses in a more structured way. Prioritize based on the areas you feel need work most. Spare your allotted time for all the subjects thus you won’t miss out on any subject which will help you to stay motivated and keep you on track of your time.

3)      Study in a calm environment

While some students prefer studying in their own space while others might opt for a study group like a library. Whatever study mode you decide must work best for you and so try to minimize the distractions. Social media can be addictive, so we suggest you keep your phones shut or minimize your screen time. That sounds like a good idea! This will efficiently help you to concentrate more and perform better in your exam.

Pro Tip: Find a well-serene place, lit some aromatherapy candles, and surround yourself with books. Do it and see the change yourself.

4)      Teach someone else

You’ll be amazed at how it is easy to remember your concepts when you teach someone else. So grab your siblings, friends, or parents and teach them the subjects while you make your revision notes. It will help you gain a deeper understanding of the topic.

5)      Regular breaks are a must (The Pomodoro method)

This learning style follows a fundamental pattern of 25 minutes of studying followed by a 5 minutes break. Experiment with yourself and see if you can stay on course? Mini regular breaks will help you to refresh your mind. You can simply sit quietly, grab a refreshment or saunter around your house.

6)      Get Moving

Working out not only benefits your body but will also improve your cerebral activity. Exercising will usher oxygen and blood in and around your body and brain thereby releasing stress points and tensions from your body making you feel rejuvenated and serene. So it seems a good idea to work out after hours of revision.

Pro Tip: If you’re a lazy bum, try deep breathing for 10-15 minutes. It should at least gear up your nervous system and allow blood circulation.

7)      Do Past Papers

Solving past papers can be a game-changer in your revision session. Solving past papers can help you be well prepared for your exam day. Oftentimes, past exam papers are available online and if not, you can ask your educators to provide them to you.

8)      Positive Mindset & Reward yourself

A positive attitude will help you in overcoming your fears and challenges. Additionally, it will also help you gain confidence. Staying positive is a key to success in all your exams. Plus, working hard with no reward is futile, isn’t it? Once you achieve your revision goal, pat yourself on the back and reward yourself even if means a simple ice cream treat. You can reward anything you like: go to a movie, eat junk food, etc. Small rewards can help you boost your confidence and make you do better.

Pro Tip: Saying affirmations like “I am beyond prepared for my exam. My exam questions are very easy”

9)      Eat Nutritious Food & stay hydrated

Try to weed out all the junk and packed food from your diet, instead start consuming healthy food such as green leafy vegetables, fruits, and cereals which are loaded with minerals and vitamins. This will ensure you stay active, making you feel less lethargic and in alignment with your revision. As mentioned in the above pointer, occasionally rewarding yourself with junk food is fine. In addition, make sure you drink lots of water and keep yourself stray away from dehydration. Drinking plenty of water will help your brain nerves to work at their best.

Pro Tip: Include fish, dairy foods like milk, paneer, peanut butter, etc. These items are power-packed with nutrition which is good for your brain.

10)   Adequate Sleep

If your mind is not relaxed, it will hamper your thoughts, and whatever you have studied will go waste as inadequate sleep will make you a bit irritated, and nauseous at times. We highly suggest students who are preparing for their exams should sleep at least 7 hours a day. Sleeping sufficiently will help your brain to recall memory and will balance out your concentration levels. There is no good in jamming up the entire night as the next day you will feel tired and it will be useless.

The most important tip above all is not to get too anxious and feel stressed out about your exam day. Take it lightly as it’s just an exam and not the end of the world. Remember, you have done your best and expect only the best to happen to you. The exam is just the beginning of your life and actually, life starts after the academic gets over. So students, roll up your sleeves and enjoy the process along with it.

Good luck and soar high! Best wishes for all your exams.

The post The Simple Top 10 Exam Revision Tips appeared first on ESPA Learn.