How to Avoid Stress as a Student during Exams

Exams are stressful. No one is immune to the nerve-racking, anxiety-inducing whirlwind of stressful thoughts that occur as the date of exams draws sinisterly closer, edging nearer to our reality, threatening our peace and contentment.  

So what do we do to minimise stress during exams and calm our minds so that we can be better prepared to smack our exams out of the park? Here are some tips and techniques to do just that. 

Tip #1: Be organised

Your desk is for studying, your bed for sleeping, and not the other way around. Your desk should not be filled with clutter, so put your phone away, your electronic devices aside and make sure what you need is in front of you. In other words, no distractions. You know what distracts you, so make sure those things are far removed. 

Also, a schedule of sorts should be put in place. Set up your calendar and prioritise one subject at a time for a reasonable amount of time. Don’t jam multiple subjects into one hour but delegate one study session to each subject. But don’t forget to add in some time to take a break and stretch your legs.  

Tip #2: Skim for the win

When you begin studying a new subject, start by highlighting importing facts while you’re skimming through the material. This is a great technique to filter out the information that will slow you down while bringing to the forefront of each page the information you want to memorise and understand. 

Tip #3: Revision days

Ever find yourself unable to recall what you learned the previous day? When it comes to setting aside time for studying, setting a time to revise all that you have learned is equally important. 

Instead of going over the same material you’ve just spent hours pouring yourself over, set up a quiz or test. Do this after you’ve taken a short break from studying. There is no point in moving on to the next step of your study plan if your current step has not been completed or accomplished. 

But remember, these tips are to help you reduce stress, so don’t add more stress to your life by worrying about your present study pace. Take the time you need to absorb the information. 

Tip #4: No smoking, no caffeine 

Abandon the myth that smoking and caffeine reduce stress. It is not true. You need proper time management, a calm and focused mind that can be obtained with a healthy sleeping routine and meditation, and a diet that gives your mind and body the nutrients it requires to ensure you’re performing at 100%.

Tip #5: Confidence

On the day of the exam, don’t talk about it with your friends or do any last-minute reading. Instead, be confident in your preparations. And when it’s exam time, focus on the first question before moving ahead. If you know the question, answer it. If you don’t, skip it without worrying about it. 

Being confident will keep your mind focused, your stress levels at an all-time low, and your head in the game. You’re not going to be worrying about the clock or your colleagues and how they’re doing. 

Once the exam is finished, it’s done! This means no discussions afterward, no analyses. Regardless of how you did, nothing can change the end mark, so why worry about it? Life goes on and your happiness and peace of mind should be priority number #1.

The Fields 

Our last tip on how to reduce stress during exams is to be in an environment conducive to your prospects. 

We’re talking about The Fields, a student’s home away from home. It’s one of the best student accommodation in Pretoria, and for a reason: 

We offer apartments suitable for students who wish to either share or have as their own. They also have instant access to uncapped free WiFi, and since blackouts don’t care about your night-time study sessions, we’ve made sure that there’s a backup generator in our student centre, to counter such inconveniences.

So sign up now and experience student living at its best, with a community of fellow students eager to seize the day and to discover their potential. 

Need help? Or just need to chat to someone? Give us a call on 079 452 7944 and one of the UP experts will get you the assistance you need.