Exam Stress

If you’re feeling stressed about exams, you’re not alone.

Have exams coming up? Sometimes the pressure you feel can help keep you focused, other times it can cause stress. Check out these tips to help you cope with stress during exam time.

What does exam stress look like?

Some signs of stress include:

Feeling confused
Losing touch with friends
Feeling moody and low
Having trouble making decisions
Feeling overwhelmed
Lack of motivation to do anything
Trouble sleeping or getting out of bed
Tense muscles or headaches
Having an upset stomach or feeling sick
Fidgeting, nail biting, teeth grinding

Getting ready to study

It’s never too late to set up good study habits. Here are some helpful ideas:

Find a quiet place to study without distractions.
Set-up your study space. Make sure it’s not too cluttered and has everything you might need.
Find out as much as you can about the exam so you can prepare.
Ask your teacher if you’re unsure of what will be tested.
Learn to make ‘mind maps’ and use them to collect ideas and thoughts, use bright colours to help remember important links.
Make a plan of what you want to work on in each study session. Break it down into small tasks and work on one task at a time.
Take regular short breaks – use this time to have a drink, get something to eat or play with a pet.
Ask for help – If you’re having trouble with something you’re studying ask a teacher, friend, sibling or parent to help.