EXAM STRESS

Here is a funny video for all university students. No wonder, all of us must have experienced this kind of exam stress. Stress is a huge part of our experiences, and it’s something we all have to deal with in life.

          
 Student life is exciting. But it can also be very pressured and stressful. A lot of things have to be achieved in a limited time available. For example, if we have homework or an exam soon, we of course try to be ready for it and that’s why we study too much in a hurry especially the night before the exam day. We feel a pressure of expectation from our family, school or university to succeed. We may be afraid whether we are not good enough, or haven't worked hard enough. Therefore, we get out of control for fear of failing, having a bad mark on the exam. If our stress levels rise too high, it can be harmful both to us and to our chances. 


What are the signs of too much stress?
 
Feeling stressed is a natural response to any pressure. The body releases chemicals into the bloodstream like adrenalin that make us feel nervous and stressful. The heart beats are faster to carry blood to the muscles and the brain.

These are some of the signs of too much stress:

•    Headache or stomachache
•    Difficulty in getting to sleep or difficulty in waking up in the morning
•    Loss of appetite
•    Being unusually bad tempered
•    Breathing faster, sweat more and mouth becomes dry.
•    Feeling tired all the time
•    Feeling sick.

We may also feel restless, finding it difficult either to relax or to concentrate. Drinking too much coffee to keep our consciousness is a hopeless way. We get angry with ourselves saying ‘’ Why I didn’t study before until the last day in an organized way? ‘’We particularly think that other students in the class must have studied much more than us.  All of these cause panic attacks and depression.

 How should I deal with exam stress?
 
1. Talk to someone about this stress especially with your friends who knows about it and get appropriate help .
2. Eat healthily and do exercise.
3. Avoid stressful people.
4.Take a 10 or 15 minute break in every hour. Let yourself do whatever you want (check Facebook, eat something, call a friend or your family.) This gives your brain a little rest and helps you to keep your focus.
5.Think positively. No matter how many midterms or finals you have, when you have studied all in a well organized way, it’s time to feel confident. You have prepared as much as you could, and now it’s time to take the exam.