It’s here again! It’s the time of the year where most major
examinations are going to take place in SIM. ‘How much have you studied?’, ‘Do
you remember that important point our lecturer has pointed out?’, ‘Do you understand
this chapter?’ These are the most common questions that we students are getting
these days, be it from our peers or friends. Many of us see the examination as
a matter of life and death and hence, creating additional stress for ourselves.
So, are you feeling stressed out about the upcoming exams? Here are
some little tips for you to deal with your stress!
1. Be aware of your stressors
Stress can come from many sources and it is vital for you to
identify where yours are coming from. You should take some time out and
understand more about your stress. Is it an upcoming exam, a quarrel with your
family or perhaps a specific assignment project? You should not ignore any of
your distresses but try to pinpoint them. By getting specific about the
stressors, you’re one step closer in getting organized and taking actions.
2. Figure out on what you can control
If you’re stressed out about something, try to figure it out if you
can do anything about it. If the answer is yes, you should probably have work
on it in the first place. Otherwise, you should accept that there are things
you can’t change and not try to control the uncontrollable. Sometimes, being
perfectionist is not always a good thing and there are also times where you
should just embrace things as they are.
3. Change your way of thinking
Another way to relieve your stress is to prevent it before it is
triggered. You can do so by changing the way you view certain things and
situations. For instance, try saying ‘I can do it!’ instead of ‘I might be able
to do it.’ You should be optimistic and stay positive in everything that you
do. Sometimes, just by changing the way you view things can have a profound
effect on your well-being. Thus, it is essential for us to focus on the
positive side of thing.
4. Learn to say ‘No’
You
should also take control and be in charge of your own environment by reducing
any negotiable tasks and activities. You certainly need not to go for movies
with friends every single night, especially when exam is around the corner.
Thus, it is important for us to learn to say no to unnecessary tasks. Besides,
you should also manage your time well. You may prepare a to-do list just so to
be clear about what you need to do or study. All these that are mentioned can
help to avoid any unnecessary stress.
5. Do what you love
Even as the title suggests, it does not, in any way, mean or imply
that you can do anything as you like. Well, let’s not forget we’re still living
in a beautiful and fine city. What this point actually suggests is, as far as
exam is concerned, it is also important for you to make some time for fun and
relaxation. This is helpful because by nurturing ourselves, we are able to
reduce stress at the same time.
Here’s a list of what you can do to relax and recharge your mind and
body:
-
Spend time in nature (go for a
walk in the woods perhaps)
-
Ring up a good friend (to connect with others and share your
current happenings)
-
Take a long bath (it does feel
good, trust me!)
- Sweat out tension with a good
workout (FYI, the school’s gym is located at the 4th floor of Block
A)
-
Keep your sense of humour (it
will help to create a cheerful atmosphere!)
6. Adopt some
stress-relieving habits
We all should lead a
healthy lifestyle since young but it, still, is not too late to start it now.
For examples, we can exercise regularly, maintain a healthy diet and most importantly,
to get enough sleep. All these help us to maintain a strong mind and body,
which is essential to reduce stress. Without sufficient sleep, our immune
systems may be compromised and our bodies may get weaker. You certainly do not
want to be ill while taking any exam, do you?
7. Get ongoing support
Last
but not least, you may also try to talk to a friend or a family about your
stress. They might be able to provide you with advices and support. Their
encouragement may be crucial at times where the examination is coming near to
help you to keep moving further. Otherwise, if you don’t wish to share it with
your friends and family, you may even approach the school’s counsellor. Fret
not! Any issues that you have shared with them will remain safe and sound.
