6 Ways to Cope With Terrible Cases of Exam Stress

[JuniorcertHELP]

Exam stress eats away at you on a daily basis. I cannot stress enough the emotional strain this pressure can put on you. A person cannot be expected to perform at their best with the constant irritant of exam stress on their back. To target this, I have listed my personal list of solutions. I hope to share them with you!

1. It's just ink and paper.

If you think logically and look at the bare details, it's just a printed sheet. It's just a red pen, not a knife. Nobody is out to get you failed. Everything's okay. It's easy to panic, but it's also easy to calm yourself when you remember the primary resources used in an actual test.

2. Test results don't define you're intelligence.

I realize this may be a controversial topic, but I don't care. Regardless of what anyone says, learning off a very long shred of information and regurgitating it back doesn't make you an instant genius. That isn't learning. Of course, if you get an A, that's great! If not, don't waver in self pity. Remember that in the end, you are just as important as anyone else.

3. Consider all the different types of learning.

You've heard it all in school, but it is true. Some people work best with visual memory, they are best with pictures. Others, may be auditory learning, through songs and sounds. Again, for more people, it could be through touch, or really any other type. Everyone is different. Mind-maps are my personal all time favorite. The traditional sense of learning doesn't necessarily have to be effective for everyone, and that's okay.

4. Believe in yourself.

Now, this one may be cliche, but it's the truth. Nobody is going to do the exam for you. I've found that entering the exam with a positive outlook really helps me. It's important to never enter an exam with an 'i'm going to fail' kind of attitude. You are awesome. Truth!

5. Take regular breaks in study.

Now if you're like me you'll have no problem with this particular step. I am a self-diagnosed chronic procrastinator. I'm mid-junior cert right now and yet I still find the time to write this. I finished an entire drama today. I said to myself 'i'll study after this episode', and the episodes just kept playing. When I say 'take regular breaks' this is not what I mean. Ideally, study for one hour and take a ten minute break. Now that would be successful studying!

6. Get a reasonable amount of sleep.

Of course, I completely agree with the method of night-before cramming. I think it's an amazing study method! However, don't go too crazy. If you do not get enough sleep, you will be tired for the actual examination. If you are tired in the examination, you will not be able to concentrate. The only thing on your mind will be food or sleep. Worst case scenario, the information get's flushed down the toilet. The whole losing sleep thing was now pointless. Get at least 7 hours of sleep!

Just my personal opinions. Of course, everyone is different. Thank you for reading!

#study #tests

[meowcow]

Exams may be stressful, but so is every other aspect of life. Don't make such a big deal about something that every other human being has to go through.

You'll come off as a whiny complainer if you tell your friends "oh... I have 3 exams this week,. I have it sooooo rough". They''ll stand there listening to you and think, 'what the fruck? We're all writing the same exam, and you don't think everyone is stressed?"

#2 - Test results don't define your intelligence.
This isn't true. Tests define a part of your intelligence. There is no single test that accurately evaluates all aspects of a person's intellect. School tests are meant to give you the basic tools of critical thinking and analytical skills to get by in life.

The other facets such as emotional intelligence, leadership, charisma can take a person very far in life, but those cannot be evaluated as easily in a written exam.

#3 The various types of learning are only useful if you apply it during your own study time. Don't expect schools to change their curriculum. With 30+ students per classroom, it is not possible to make a customized learning method that caters to each student. In a 60 minute block, a teacher would have about 2 minutes per student to give a customized lesson. This is why the teaching method in almost all schools across the world are similar, unless you are home schooled or have a personal tutor.

[JuniorcertHELP]

Thanks for the response. I made this mytake thinking of those, like me, who get a little too worked up about exams. I wouldn't expect anyone to whine about it to other people who are not willing to be whined to, but I don't think venting is a bad idea when its a group activity.
About #2, I think it's a matter of opinion. But then again maybe i'm just bitter and cynical about the entirety of the Irish schooling system. I agree that it may measure how much that you can remember. I don't think a lot of stuff is very helpful. For my junior cert I was able to recite large paragraphs back in a block, but I forgot it two weeks later. I agree that not all intelligence can be measured in a written exam.
With #3 of course i meant in personal study time. I probably should have specified on this particular topic.
I always appreciate any responses, i'll take it as constructive criticism :)

[Anonymous]

I get really stressed for exams but your advice is really helpful, it's made me think in a different way. Thank you ☺

[garyhill7447]

Exams are always associated with stress and tension. To cope with the exam stress,
Be well prepared beforehand.
Make a schedule as to which subject you are going to study and how much and when. Follow the schedule without fail.
Keep revising whatever you have learnt.
Do not study all at once. Take periodical break.
Eat healthy food and drink lots of water.

[Darkone1]

I agree with most of your points and Yes, mind maps are best way to learn but this myTake seems incomplete without methods of cramming:)

[JuniorcertHELP]

Oh yes guess that's true. If you're wondering, I actually had another mytake on that so I decided to leave it out. Thanks :)