Time is moving with the speed of light!
Couldn’t be truer, if we say that it seems like we are in the whirlpool of dozens of task that don’t seem accomplishable in the time frame we have.
Time is meant to change at its own set pace, but as the years go by, it seems with all the distractions in the world, it’s starting to speed up. Caught up in this whirlwind of what seems like a never-ending stream of tests or exams we often forget how important self-care is.
The “Exam Anxiety”!
It is not uncommon for students to experience what the experts refer to as “exam anxiety.” As a test date draws nearer, your anxiety kicks in, your stress levels reach an all-time high, and you begin to lose your capacity of functioning as a regular human being. There is no other thing that you can focus on than the dreaded exam you will have to write shortly.
The exams can be unnerving and especially if you have signed up for an executive MBA programs Florida. MBA! The letters are enough to make you anxious. Without any doubt, we can say that MBA’s are tough, and hence, you need these stress buster tips to help you through!
However, as typical as it is to get a little nervous and anxious before an important test, you must not let this feeling completely take over you. Though a bit of stress can motivate you to study better and increase your performance, an excess of it will lead you to perform poorly than what you are capable of. This is why it is so necessary to maintain a relaxed head when giving an exam – especially if it is an important one! If you are someone who suffers badly from anxiety, make sure to check out websites like Organic CBD Nugs to see what kind of CBD product could help you. CBD has become a popular remedy for those suffering from anxiety in recent years – so give it a go!
Your health is as important as your grades
If your body is a temple, then your mind is its idol. Whether it is studying for something as simple as a High school biology test, or something way more important – like the keeping yourself calm is the key to the distinction you are looking to.
There are many different ways that you can use today to take care of your mental and physical health while being swamped with academic work. In this blog, we will discuss a few tricks to ensure keeping a clear head when writing an exam and therefore, performing to the best of your capabilities. Let’s begin.
Mental Exercises
One of the best ways to relax when there is a lot on your plate is to take a moment and breathe.
There are quite a few mental exercises that you can do to make your sluggish thoughts quicken their pace.
Mindfulness exercises are mainly said to be helpful in these stressful times like your exams for the MBA! Here is how you can go about with these.
- Close your eyes and straighten your posture; make sure to keep your feet parallel to each other and the soles firmly on the ground.
- Rest your right hand in your left and let yourself breathe. Breathe more profound and more exaggerated than you usually would and concentrate on each inhale and exhale.
- Feel your mind wander-let it-and feel the panic slowly ebbing away.
Do this for approximately 90 seconds. This can serve as a quick way to reset your bearings, so the frustration of studying but not retaining is no longer a problem.
Sleep may not be considered a mental exercise by many, but in reality, it is – and probably one of the very best, to add! Your brain needs to sort out all the information it’s gained throughout the day. A proper sleeping schedule can do wonders for your mental wellbeing.
Try to sleep early and wake early. Start your morning fresh and early, not mid-afternoon. Make sure to have 8 hours of sleep. But most importantly, before you go to sleep, do something other than studying so your brain has the time to let go of useless knowledge. If you have trouble switching off and sleeping, maybe try a Lazarus Naturals sleep aid or sleep support supplements which you can buy by clicking here.
Diet
The phrase ‘you are what you eat’ is not an exaggerated statement. What you eat can profoundly affect your stress levels. The more sugar you will eat means, the harder you will crash after the sugar rush is over, leaving you bleary and sluggish as you try to go over what you’re studying.
Opting for afternoon snacks that make you full without making you feel heavy-which is what often causes you to feel drowsy-will leave you alert no matter how long you’ve been studying for. Research has proven that students who have breakfast generally perform better in academic situations.
On the other hand, eating food too close to bedtime can cause you loss of sleep. It’s better to have a meal at least 3 hours before you plan on going to sleep. Eating certain foods, for example foods rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, are said to be ‘brain-boosting.’ Here’s a list of foods you should add to your diet when studying:
- Fatty fish
- Coffee
- Blueberries
- Turmeric
- Broccoli
- Pumpkin seeds
- Dark Chocolate
- Nuts
- Oranges
- Eggs
- Green Tea
Physical Exercise
A healthy body and a healthy mind go hand in hand. Taking out even 30 minutes out of a handful of hours to take a quick jog will do wonders. New research shows that exercise after studying may help you retain information better. Try to take 1-2 hour walks and make sure to have someone accompany you, a dog at the least.
It may seem like a useless endeavor the day before an important exam, but in hindsight, it’s beneficial for both your body and mind.
Things to Avoid
One of the most common traits in students around the world, no matter where you’re from or who you are, is procrastination. Leaving essays until the last minute, cramming for tests, the night before by staying awake via caffeine, going for shortcuts because you didn’t revise when you were supposed. It’s common amongst many students, and although it may have its merits (getting to stay up watching a movie rather than revising like you’re supposed to be), it does you more harm than good in the end.
Be sure to plan. Studying schedules may be looked down upon by many students, but it is a very effective way to explore. Draw yourself up a planner (or make it on your phone even). Set goals for yourself about how much you want to cover in what amount of time. Don’t set lofty goals that are over-complicated and hard to achieve. Be realistic about how much you’re capable of studying in a day.
Cramming last minute and not understanding what your course is about only leaves you with a short-term memory of what you’ve learned. Applying that knowledge, later on, will prove impossible because you’ll forget everything in a matter of days or maybe even hours.
Other Tips
In addition to the significant tips above, here are a few other simple tricks you can follow when your exams are just around the corner.
- Try to stay away from social media as much as possible. A little indulgence is fine, but it can take hours out of your time without you realizing, and it’s harder to get back into the state of mind to study afterward.
- Make sure to take in interest in whatever you’re studying. Sometimes you’re so invested in hating something you forget to lean back and realize it may be something you can enjoy. Take time to understand concepts; learning can be enjoyable if you let it be.
- Cramming is the bane of teachers everywhere. It leads to students who have very vague concepts and have only studied to pass a particular hurdle, not conquer it. Try to pay attention in class and make your notes. Revise as much as you can.
- Make sure to have a list of the syllabus you need to cover. It’s easier to study when you slowly see topics being ticked off a list than when worrying about an unknown number of topics.
The Bottom Line
Studying doesn’t mean mindlessly pouring over books. It means being smart about how you plan your time and giving effort in the right direction. You can become a more efficient student by being calm and to do that you need to follow the advice mentioned above.
What do you do when exam time draws near? Do you plan an advance, or depend on the last minute study to get you through the course? If you have any suggestions about any more ways to stay calm during exams, do comment below!
