It’s that time of year again and whilst the sun is tempting us others go outside to frolic and play others are stuck indoors revising for some pretty important exams. This can be a very challenging time so Danielle Almond has rounded up the best tips to help you make it through to the other side of exam season.
Stress is your body’s normal response to a challenge or threat and effects people in very different ways. Some thrive on it whilst others are paralyzed with fear. Stress has been shown to have profound effects on the body it can effect sleep patterns, make you more likely to catch a cold or flu and even gives some people panic attacks or a rash.
One of the most important tips for managing with stress is to be realistic about how much work you’re going to do all day. Being a perfectionist and setting impossible goals will only lower your self esteem and reduce your chances of succeeding.
As well as this there are some alternative therapies which some people find priceless in helping them through stressful times. You can enrol in a tai chi or yoga class for example. Many people claim it helps to release their tension and help them to avoid anxiety. These are also said to help you sleep better so are definitely worth considering if you’re finding it all too much.
Your diet is also important to helping you succeed. Replace sweets and sugary foods for more substantial choices like berries, bananas, fish and broccoli. These will serve you much better in boosting your concentration levels as well as energy and mood. Also avoid too much coffee, tea and other caffeine laden drinks. These will make you more alert for a while but your thinking will be less clear and you may just become more agitated. You also don’t want a repeat of Will’s exam disaster in The Inbetweeners.
There are also a plethora of complementary therapies you can get help from for your exam stress. Aromatherapy, reflexology and massage are worth considering for those at are finding their stress levels rising. But bare in mind that it’s best to talk to a qualified practitioner about homeopathic remedies.
Don’t forget that if things are really getting on top of you, you can always go and see your GP who will try their best to help. Trent student Andrea, 20, said, “Last year I had 5 exams in 4 days. The 2 hardest and longest were on the same day. I went to the GP and she gave me a leaflet about stress with exams which was good and advised me to go to another clinic which helps with stress. I found them useful and still use the advice in everyday life.”
Danielle Almond
