Exam stress, like most stress, mainly comes
down to feeling out of control. Do I know enough? What questions will
come up? What if I do badly? This triggers reactions from feeling
irritable to being unable to eat or sleep properly, feeling tearful or
even panicky. Here are some tips on how to deal with exam stress.
1. Be prepared
Make sure you know what you are supposed to have learned and that you
have all your notes, books and essays to hand. Do you know what format
the exam takes and how the marks are allocated? If not, ask your teacher
and/or study the marking scheme, which is often on the exam board’s
website. This can be particularly important with A-level stress and GCSE
stress, when there are so many exams, all structured in different ways.
2. Make a plan
Working out how much time you have to revise and planning how you can
use it best by making a timetable is a key factor in how to deal with
exam stress. Another technique recommended by all time management
experts is taking what feels like an overwhelming task and breaking it
down into manageable chunks. Perhaps you need to spend more time on some
subjects than others? Vary the timetable so you don’t get bored. You
can always update the plan, if necessary, as you go along.
3. Know when and where you work best
Work when you are most alert. We all have slightly different body
clocks – are you a night owl or a dawn lark? Everyone has different
revision styles – maybe you like to sit at a tidy library desk or under
the duvet with your laptop. Wherever you feel calm and in control is the
best place for dealing with exam stress.
4. Take a break
Psychologists suggest that we can only concentrate properly for about
45 minutes at one stretch, while neuroscientists tell us that the
longer we try and focus on one thing, the less our brains are able to
deal with it effectively. Take breaks to stay refreshed. Instead of
cramming in more revision or, indeed, stressing over how to deal with
exam stress, the best thing might simply be to do something completely
different.
5. Eat well
Keeping your blood sugar levels steady so that you don’t have energy
dips during the day and can sleep well at night is a vital way of
dealing with exam stress. Avoid lots of processed, sugary foods like
cereal, biscuits, sweets and chocolate. Lean protein like chicken,
salmon or egg, plenty of veg and carbs that release their energy slowly
like wholegrain bread, rice and pasta will keep energy levels steady.
Pulses like chickpeas and lentils are great for vegetarians (and
others), since they contain both protein and slow-release carbs.
If you are so nervous before an exam that you can’t eat, then don’t
worry, your body will catch up later – but do make sure that you drink
lots. This article explains more about the link between stress and nutrition.
6. Drink well
Staying hydrated with lots of water, low-cal sodas or herbal teas is
key to feeling alert. Juices or sugary drinks can make you feel jittery
and mess up your energy levels. Caffeinated tea and coffee perk you up,
but stick to about five cups a day, and if you feel jittery or have
problems sleeping, drink your last one in the late afternoon. Bear in
mind that colas, energy and sports drinks may all contain a lot of sugar
and caffeine.
7. Get exercise
This is probably one of the best ways of dealing with exam stress.
Anything from walking the dog to going for a swim, run or bike ride
helps reduce physical tension that can lead to aches and pains, and
releases natural feel-good brain chemicals. If you can’t get motivated,
rope in friends – it’s much harder to make excuses.
8. Avoid stimulants
Like caffeine, lots of cigarettes, alcohol and drugs can give you the
impression that you are somehow dealing with exam stress. But they can
all leave you craving more and, in excess, will either slow or bring you
down, or over-stimulate you.
9. Sleep well
Tossing and turning the night before an exam is understandable, and
our bodies are able to cope with lack of sleep for a day or so. Worrying
about not being able to nod off only makes matters worse but there are
many things you can do to help.
A hot bath and having somewhere dedicated just to sleeping (and not
to watching TV or going on a computer, phone or tablet) will help you
switch off. If you really can’t get to sleep, do something repetitive
like a jigsaw or ironing.
If you really, really can’t sleep, don’t panic. Sheer adrenaline will
help you get through most exams the next day better than you might
expect.
10. Relaxation
If you are really anxious, find a calm, quiet space and try breathing
deeply in and out for a few minutes, focusing your mind on something
pleasant, like a beautiful place with happy memories – anything that
helps you wind down. This article explains more on breathing techniques
.
11. Talk about it with someone
Almost everyone finds exams stressful – so you are not alone. Expressing
your worries to a good friend, family member, your school tutor or a
student counsellor will help get them out of your system.
12. Reward yourself
Build in treats to your timetable – anything you can look forward to
as a reward for sticking to it. Plan something exciting to celebrate the
end of the exams.
13. Keep it in perspective
If you feel you have really messed up an exam, there’s nothing you
can do until you get the results. Worrying about it won’t help – and may
reduce your chances of doing well in other exams you are taking. Think
about what you could do about a disappointing result – that will help
you feel in control.
Yes, it’s great to do well in exams. But whether you are suffering
GCSE stress, A-level stress or taking university exams, remember that
exams aren’t the only thing that will help you succeed in life.
Employers will be equally interested in other things, like your
attitude, work-rate or ability to get on with others.
Many people, famous and otherwise, who did badly at exams went on to do well in adult life – and vice-versa.
