How to Manage Stress During Exams

Managing stress during exam time is crucial to your undergraduate success, because guess what? When your stress levels are higher, it literally becomes harder for your brain to retain information and translate something you’ve learned from your short term memory to your long term memory which makes it more likely for you forget everything you learn. Here are some tips to avoid this form happening.

1.      STUDY EARLY

I’ve said this before. But it truly is the best way to minimize stress. Studying throughout the entire semester is the truly the only way to do well on these courses. And the more you push it off and procrastinate, the more stress you’ll have around exam time.

2.      TAKE BREAKS

YES!  Don’t sit and study 14 hours every day and do nothing else. More likely you will end up blanking out halfway through, and without a break you will stop having effective study after maybe 2 pm. If you take a break like a walk for an hour, feed the birds, make lunch, watch a show, or even talk to a friend, it will give you a boost of energy to use to continue studying. The best is to do something physical like moving, or talking to someone face to face. This helps you brain take a break and integrate the information you’ve just learned.

3.      SOCIALIZE

Yes! Studying during the day and spending time with friends in the evenings and the weekends help you retain information better. Its important to socialize throughout the entire semester this will keep your brain sharp.

4.      DO NOT STUDY ANY NEW INFORMATION THE DAY BEFORE THE TEST

The day before your test spend time just reviewing what you’ve learned, do NOT attempt to learn anything new. This will only overwhelm your brain and you will forget things when you sit down in front of the test.

5.      SLEEP!

Make sure you get a good night sleep during exam week and especially the night before the test. With a rested brain you are more likely to perform better on tests than if you’re exhausted and cannot see straight.

6.      TAKE CUMIN

Yes cumin is not just a tasty spice. It had powerful anti-anxiety properties and can help you sleep and ease stress. Taking a tablespoon before bed during exam time is excellent to help you relax

7.      TRY HOLY BASIL TEA

Holy basil tea is not only extremely relaxing and helps you sleep better, but it also sharpens the brain and helps you learn better. Drinking this tea before bed is great during exam periods.

8.      LIMIT SUGAR

Its very tempting to reach for sugar when you’re studying and too busy to eat, but its not a good idea. It will give you a very short lived high, and then you will crash and be exhausted and are more likely to fall asleep on your books. Eat healthy and head over to our article with 10 nutrition tips for better studying.

·        RELAX

If you don’t get the grade that you want it is not the end of the world. Remember this when you study, you Health comes first, then your exams. Do not push yourself to the point of exhaustion and sickness. Nothing is worse losing your health because without that you cannot do anything. There are always second chances in life and nothing is forever. Be easy on yourself and make sure to give yourself some self love in the process.

9.      DO SOMETHING YOU LOVE

Whether you have a hobby or go get a massage or go window shopping, do something you love and enjoy. It will boost your serotonin and your melatonin, and you will learn and sleep better. Don’t forget to take care of you!

Happy Studying! If you need someone to talk to or some advice on what courses to take please head over to our academic advisement page.

THE SCIENCES TUTOR

LEAH KINERET NARBONI