Kalvimalar

Exam stress could be nerve wrecking to the children as well as the parents. Here are few strategies provided by an expert.   

1.    Time Management: 

Manage your time and organise yourself accordingly. Try to do smart work rather than hard work. Study the things you feel are most important first. If you have your tasks and activities set in advance, you'll think more strategically about how much time it will take you to complete the particular part. Don't undervalue the significance of time management.

2.    Eat good, sleep & exercise properly: 

Waking up all night, anxiety can be exacerbated by a poor or unsanitary diet or a lack of physical activity. Make sure that you can get eight hours of sleep, eat a healthy, protein-rich diet, consume more water, and do half an hour of exercise a day. This will make you more productive.

3.    Never panic: 

Panicking before exams is very common among students. When you feel yourself panicking, just stay there for a while, take a deep breath, keep yourself hydrated, and then go back to studying. Remember, there's always a solution for every problem, and no exam can ever decide your future. Learn and understand things for yourself and your knowledge.

4.    Seek help, if needed: 

If you feel lost somewhere or can't understand anything, the best way is to talk it out. Talk to your teachers, friends, or parents about how you should go back.

Don't be afraid to ask your teacher or mentor about something. They're always there to help you. Also, friends play a major role here. Friends are the best listeners, as we usually understand what they say more than any teacher, and they can guide you. So, find yourself a friend who can help you with academics and aid you in dealing with exam stress.

5.    Keep gadgets away: 

Distraction can be harmful in any form. The biggest distractions for today's kids are smartphones and electronic gadgets. Keep your electronic gadgets away while you are studying. Also, keep them switched off so that you won't get distracted by the notifications. Make this one of your study habits and see if you lose focus easily or not!

6.    Take periodical breaks: 

Don't study for longer hours without any breaks. Take regular and sufficient breaks. Studying for 6-7 hours straight without any breaks can be harmful and make your learning process slow, and you won't be able to keep everything in mind. Take regular breaks, breathe, eat fruit, do some stretching, and then get back to work again.

7.    Maintain clean desk or workspace: 

An untidy desk means a cluttered mind. If you're working on a messed-up desk, your mind will probably get overloaded with a lot of thoughts, and you won't be able to focus in one place. So, keep your study area organised to study efficiently.

--Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Founder and Senior Psychiatrist, Manasthali