Navigating Exam Stress: Proven Strategies for Nigerian Students.

         The examination period is a trying time for students. Perhaps because there are great expectations from family and teachers not to merely pass but to ace exams. These unspoken expectations give rise to anxiety which affects the performance and results of students. Truly, writing an exam is stressful especially those that determine the course of a student’s life. Some students have been known to manage exam pressure effectively while others do not. Students must understand that putting pressure on themselves worsens their situation. Likewise, failure to efficiently and effectively deal with the stress of the time can lead to depression. This article highlights the need to discuss how students can minimize stress and improve their attitude during exams. Here are some practical tips to help students navigate stress during exams.

Start your Revisions Early

         Examinations test what students have learned from the beginning of classes to the end. This means that by the end of the classes, the syllabus has become so bulky that a student can possibly finish them with other courses or subjects to write about. One sure way to avoid this is to start your revisions early. Start by reading your notes and solving problems from past questions and textbooks. The result is that you will finish your work earlier and have a glimpse of what to expect on your exam papers.

Draw a reading Timetable

           As a student, you can have as many as 7 or 8 courses every term or semester. During exams, these courses are all written in whatever manner the school seems fit. This means you can afford to be taken unawares by reading one subject per time. To stay organized, it is advisable to draw a timetable mapping out time to spend on a subject. You may assign more time to those you find difficult. 

Take Breaks in between Reading 

           The brain has a saturation limit on how much information it can take at a time. Coupled with exam stress, your brain may not take a large volume of information at a time. This is the time to close your books and take a break to do what you like. The result is that you feel rejuvenated with less mental stress. 

Get Actively Involved In Your Learning

           Reading can be a very monotonous activity which means you will get bored sometimes. To avoid this, you have to incorporate active learning techniques in your sessions.  Some of these include learning with friends, preparing flashcards, and vocalizing to help make your reading fun. 

Exercise and Get a Good Night’s Sleep

           Studying for exams implies that you will sit in a position for a long time which is the leading cause of body pain in the case of poor posture. To reduce this and have a positive attitude, you must exercise during your free time. Likewise, depriving yourself of 7 hours of sleep to pull an all-nighter is an unhealthy practice. Sleep improves memory and helps you retain and process the information you gain while studying. Exercise and sleep must be maintained for your whole body to function. 

Ask For Help 

        To reduce exam stress, you should know when to ask for help. You are prone to have some difficulties with some courses, therefore seek help or guidance from your tutors or teachers if you feel overwhelmed by them. Don't try to solve these difficulties by yourself, they will add to your problems. If you have doubts about passing your exams, share how you feel with your friends and family to design ways to manage them.

Have Study Partners 

          Studying alone is not only boring but also stressful. People understand things differently, therefore having study buddies will introduce other perspectives to courses. Having study groups means you also have a support system that cheers and uplifts each other when the stress becomes too much. 

Conclusion

           A little stress is and can be a good thing. It can be the motivational push that you need to get things done. However, you must ensure that that's all it's about. Exams have a beginning and an end. The anxiety that goes along with them should end when its done. Once the exam is over, you should no longer worry about them because there's nothing you can do about it. Try to relax afterward and focus on something else that matters.