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Latest News |
| 03rd
March 2010 / Times of India / Mumbai Edition |
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Ways to combat last minute exam stress
It is absolutely normal and natural to feel stressed during
an examination.In fact,Eustress, or optimum stress is
the right amount of anxiety,which helps us finish the
enormous portion in one evening.It is only when anxiety
becomes too high that it impairs performance.In other
words stress becomes distress.
A few tips to combat last minute exam stress
The evening before
Please over-read the portion and learn what is important.If
you have prepared notes go through those Write or make
a note of important points or words as you read Memorise
the key words,make pnemonics or interesting short forms
especially for theory topics Do not procrastinate or waste
time as the last evening is very important Read what you
have already done before.Do not attempt to study new portion
for the first time just on the eve of the exams Keep your
mobile phone on silent with face down or away from you
to avoid wasting time TV and computer should be avoided
even during break times.Instead run,jump,sing,dance or
go and play football or cricket with your younger siblings
or friends.If you get tired or bored of one topic switch
the topic or take help from your parents-tell them to
read to you Eat well.Avoid undereating or overeating.Avoid
too much caffeine or fizzy drinks,instead drink water
and have fruit Sleep well at least for six hours The morning
of the exam Wake up at least two hours before the exam
time Have a good breakfast Carry your confidence and positivity
with the necessary stationery and your examination slip
Reach the exam centre half an hour before the scheduled
time Avoid travelling or interacting with people who make
you nervous If you want to read something find a quiet
corner and do it Stop studying five minutes before the
exam Every one fears that they will blank out during exams
and forget everything,but you need to reassure yourself
that you will do your best.When you sit for the exam just
close your eyes pray,meditate and just calm down and focus
all your energies Attempt what you know best first Concentrate
on what you know rather than worrying about what you dont
If you do not know an answer;go to the next one and come
back to this last Attempt all the questions and keep a
watch on the time Sit through the entire exam even if
the paper is tough If you have extra time go through the
paper and check for silly mistakes especially in maths
At any time if you start panicking stop writing ask for
some water close your eyes,concentrate on your breathing,calm
down and start writing again.
Once you finish
Go home and relax... eat,sleep and chill for sometime
before you start preparing for the next exam Do not discuss
the paper once it is over Focus on the next paper even
if you have not done well.Remember that difficult papers
are often corrected leniently
Things parents should remember
Create an atmosphere,which helps children to study Do
not shout,scream or watch TV on loud volume when your
kids are studying Be around the children but do not breathe
down their necks If your child looks too anxious hug him/her,make
him comfortable and reassure them.Telling them I told
you so... will not help Do not give unnecessary lectures.Instead
calmly help them to resolve their anxiety.If you feel
unable to handle their stress take the help of your family
doctor /friend or contact the help lines You can only
handle their stress if you yourself are calm and collected
Do not overfeed your kids or over vitaminise them Please
screen phone calls and avoid relatives who try to make
kids more nervous by giving unnecessary advice Discussion
of exam papers after an examination should be strictly
avoided Lastly it is very important to give positive messages
like DO YOUR BEST AND LEAVE THE REST and ENJOY YOUR EXAMS
rather than treating them if they were soldiers going
to war.
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