Stay calm during exams results in improved performance. Here are a few tips on how to stay calm during exams and overcome panic during exams.
Exam time is a hectic period and is a major source of stress for many students. When it comes to Classes 10 and 12 boards, the matter gets even more stressful. Since many colleges admit students based on Class 12 board marks, they become an important determiner in a student’s career.
However, experts suggest that a moderate amount of exam stress is actually useful in motivating and encouraging students to perform better. But as the stress levels increase, they negatively impact a student’s physical and mental well-being. Therefore, students must stay calm during exams preparation and on exam day. Here are the 4 best tips to overcome exam fear, which will help you remain healthy and efficient.
How to Stay Calm during Exams?
Exam-related stress is common among students. However, if this stress reduces your performance during exams, then you must work to overcome it. There is a difference between the stress that pushes you to perform better and the stress that hampers your working efficiency. If you fall in the latter category, then you need to recognize and address this issue. With these helpful tips and strategies be stay calm during exams, you can bid goodbye to the stress and focus on your preparation and performance instead.
Understand, don’t memorize
While studying for exams, you’ll often be tempted to cram each concept. This, in reality, is not a good strategy. The best way to prepare for an exam is to understand the concepts, rather than cram. When you understand them to the core, you can solve complex questions and, consequently, remember them for the exam.
Cramming without understanding the meaning will definitely make you forget the concept., and therefore, it will not help you solve any question based on it. Because in reality, exam questions never directly require you to state a concept as it is but give you a scenario to use the concept. Therefore, focusing on the practical application of the concept is better than just learning the theoretical concept. This makes it the most effective tip to overcome exam fear.
Practise
The power of practice is never emphasized enough. As they say, “Practice makes a man perfect.” This is true for getting through any tough exams. Here are a few benefits of practicing that can help you be better prepared and to help you stay calm during exams time.
- It makes you more confident about your problem-solving skills. You get a fair idea of the exam pattern, the kind of questions, and the best and quickest way to solve them.
- It makes you ready for the real-time exam situation. Before actually appearing for the exam. Try attempting mock tests and previous year’s question papers to learn more about the exam and be better prepared.
- Helps in revision. Solving questions related to the concepts you’ve studied helps you get a fine grip on the concepts and make you understand their practical applications.
- Reduces the number of mistakes. The more amount of time you spend perfecting your exam performance, the better you get at it. Practice more mock tests and questions to reduce the number of mistakes you make while solving the questions.
- It helps you manage your time better. The more time you spend solving questions and practicing, the better idea you get about the amount of time it takes to solve questions. This way, you can manage your time better on the actual exam day.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
The best way to combat stress and have no more fear from exams is to maintain a healthy and easy-to-follow lifestyle. Below are a few steps that you can follow to build a healthy lifestyle:
Eat a balanced and healthy diet
Take a balanced and healthy diet that contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates in the right amount. Including salad and raw fruits in your diet to make the most of vitamins and other essential nutrients can help you focus better and maintain a healthy body and mind.
Avoid excess caffeine
Excess caffeine might give a great boost to you as you start preparing for your exam, but little do students know that there’s a phenomenon called “caffeine-crash”. Typically, after 6-8 hours of consuming caffeine, its effect backfires, resulting in diminished focus. Therefore, consuming caffeine in large amounts can negatively impact your productivity.
Get proper rest
Proper rest fuels the body and the mind. When your brain is refreshed and energetic, it helps you concentrate better and, perform better on the exam.
Meditate
Meditation is a great remedy for increasing concentration and helping your body relax. By meditating for a few minutes daily, you can not only improve your focus and concentration but also feel more relaxed and energized.
Physical activity
Physical activity is quite necessary while preparing for any exam. Sitting in one place for long stretches of time can induce lethargy and fatigue. Getting up and moving around for a few minutes between study sessions keeps your body healthy and mind energized.
Socialize
Spending time with your loved ones has a better impact on your well-being than you can think. Spend time with your family, stay in touch with your friends and relatives over the internet and value your relationships.
Spend time doing something you like
Hobbies are pursued to make you feel better about yourself and help you stay focused. When you spend some time focusing on something of your interest or pursuing a hobby, it makes you relaxed and more focused. These hobbies could be as diverse as reading a book, painting, drawing, or even gardening!
Take breaks
Breaks are equally important as the work itself and, therefore, need just as much attention and dedication. Take breaks to refresh yourself and return to your preparation energized and motivated.
Plan a post-exam reward
As exciting as this sounds, pre-planning a reward can actually help you strive to do better. When you promise yourself a reward, you’re more likely to work harder for it, consequently improving your exam preparation.
Believe in yourself
Anxiety before an exam is common in most students, especially in situations where your performance really counts or when there is a lot of pressure on you to score better. But when this anxiety rises over the levels, it can cause irreparable damage to a student’s well-being. Mentioned below are a few steps that you can take to overcome anxious thoughts before an exam:
- Don’t compare yourself to others
- Don’t let negative thoughts take over
- Remember that life goes on despite your marks
- Be kind to yourself
- Be positive
Final Thoughts
For an efficient performance and better results, it is important to stay calm during exams. Anxiety and stress before or during exams are common. It’s okay to feel stressed, but it is also equally important to work towards overcoming it. So, by following all these essential steps before stepping into the exam hall, you can not only overcome your fear and stress but also feel more confident about yourself. This confidence will help you stay calm during exams time and perform well. Turito hopes these small ways help you before your exam. Take baby steps and breathe.
All the best!
