Coping Strategies for Exam Stress

“If the problem can be solved, why worry? If the problem cannot be solved, worrying will do you no good.” – Buddha

 

At various stages of our life we have all gone through different kinds of stress. Be it meeting tight deadlines at work, managing our finances, dealing with relationships, etc. However, in most cases, we have learnt to cope with it. Coping strategies for exam stress is no different.

As our children grow and move to higher grades in their schools, they encounter increasing levels of stress in their studies. This stress is primarily driven by their desire to achieve certain outcomes to satisfy either themselves or their near ones. In doing so, they carry an additional baggage for themselves when they are completing assignments or dealing with exams.

Here are some useful coping strategies for exam stress:

Start Early and Have a Plan

An early start with a realistic plan is the key first step in the coping strategy for exam stress. In doing so, your child can pre-empt the last minute exam stress and build a workable strategy. A good plan will have all the contents of the exam clearly broken down into modules with timeframes that leave adequate time for revision before the exam. Once completed, your child can put the plan into their calendar and follow it with diligence.

Be flexible with time but ensure they cover the contents in time

To be effective, your child needs to be flexible with what they plan to cover during the day. However, you would need to make sure that they have covered what you had set out to for the day. Being flexible will help with their focus on a given topic that their brains are attuned to picking up at that point in time. For example, if you had planned on a subject like Maths at a particular time of day and they end up tired and unable to concentrate, they may do music instead. This might help them relax and get their focus back and do their Maths later during the day.

Try to find variety in learning

Instead of reading a book on a subject topic, your child might want to read some materials online. If possible, they can get their classmates to read up and have a discussion session where they can mutually clarify their doubts. Verbalising and discussing about a topic can help with their retention as well as increasing their knowledge. It is also helpful if they are able to make a one-page summary of the key points of a topic. As parents, we should encourage them to tap into all possible help and support available to them to master their topic. In doing so, they should focus on clarifying their doubts and fixing their mistakes.

The power of revision

It is often seen that a student might have mastered a topic at a point in time, but have lost it by the time of the exam. Weekly revision of the past topics covered is critical. Here, the summary of key points made during study can help.

Practice simulating exam environment

The more the children are familiar with the exam environment, the better their brains are tuned to performing under the circumstances. This includes both the environment where they are studying as well as what they are prepared for. It is important that they try to solve past exam papers under the simulated exam conditions. The more practice they get under the conditions, the better they will be able to perform at the crucial time.

Taking care of themselves

In the lead up to the exam, make sure that they are taking care of themselves. This means that they should take care of their diet and ensure that they eat nutritious food and are well hydrated. On the physical side, they should focus on adequate exercise and rest and relaxation. Breathing techniques and meditation have shown to help. This will stimulate their brains for peak performance at the time of the exam.

The above coping strategies for exam stress will build confidence in your child's ability to give their best in the exam.

Kids Helpline have some good coping strategies for exam stress. You can find some useful tips.

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