Education itself is very challenging. Every day students have to obtain an immense amount of information, learn various subjects and do a lot of homework. When it comes to the end of the academic year, they face yet another challenge, known as the finals season. This time can cause even more stress to students. Before the exam period, students tend to get nervous and anxious. The reason is that everyone is afraid to fail and not pass the exams. – the Finals Season
As a result, many only pay attention to their preparation. But it can play a dirty trick on you. The fear of failure always puts students under pressure. That’s why most of them neglect their physical and mental health and dedicate all their time to staying up late studying. They tend to think that this sacrifice will really be worth it. But in reality, they are putting not only their health but the test results at risk.
Along with the preparation, you still will have to do homework. When one is already anxious because of exams, add to that having to submit a number of essays, and it can lead to even higher levels of stress. Luckily, there is a cheap essay writing service EssayPro, that can help you out. You will save yourself from additional stress like missed deadlines and focus on the finals.
In order to successfully pass all required tests, it is very important to develop stress management skills. In this article, we have provided you with all the information you can use to pass your finals while also reducing stress. So let’s get started!
Determine the Time and Place
The main aim is to decide when and where you want to study. If you are more productive in the morning, then put exam prep at the very top of your schedule. If you are more of a night owl, then you have to fulfill all the other tasks on your agenda during the day to be free to study in the evening.
As for the place where you can study, it can be home, university cafe, library or even parks. If you want to study at home, you need to pay attention to specific stressors like noisy neighbors or family members that can easily interrupt and bother you. The same goes for cafes and other public spaces. A school library would be idesl as you will have access to all the study materials and books you need. Parks also work very well when you need to focus. Nature will help you calm down and reduce stress.
Estimate Your Resources and Determine the Task Scope
Compare the amount of material you need to study with the time you have left to prepare. For example, if there are three days left and you have 60 exam questions to work on, develop your schedule in a way that you have time to at least read all the material. Thus, you need to study 20 questions a day. And if you have three weeks left, you can calmly and thoughtfully deal with four questions a day and even have time to chill.
Use Test Prep Apps- the Finals Season
Since we live in a digital age, we have a lot of devices that can simplify our lives. If you want to prepare more efficiently, you can choose one of the apps we have listed below. With their help, you will turn the boring and stressful process of studying into a useful and exciting game.
- Evernote
- My Study Life
- Duolingo
- Quizlet
- Todait
- Number2.com
Set a Study Limit- the Finals Season
The best solution is to organize small breaks every 45 minutes to stretch and exercise. This way, the material will be absorbed faster, and you will reduce stress. Do not dedicate more than 8 hours a day to test prep. Otherwise, your brain will cease to adequately perceive information, you might become irritable, and your memory will become selective.
It is impossible to do one type of work for a long time, even if it is interesting. Monotony constrains thinking and blocks the perception of information. To avoid this, you can alternate theory and practice. For example, combine reading and taking notes with audio lectures, during which your eyes can rest.
Think Positively
The key to reducing stress and acing your exams is to hope and prepare for the best. Don’t set yourself up for failure with thoughts like “What if I fail” or “My parents will be disappointed in me,” or especially “I’m not prepared enough, I will not make it.” You need to get rid of these thoughts as soon as possible.
“Thought is matter” – this is something you should think of. If you are constantly thinking and imagining yourself failing, this scenario will likely come true. That’s why you need to think positively. Everything starts with our inner attitudes. If you set yourself up for success – you will succeed.
Also, you can print some affirmations or motivational quotes and hang them on the wall. Read them over and over and develop positive thinking as a habit. Besides, do not forget to appreciate even small achievements. Later on, you will be much more stimulated and motivated to study.
Develop a Healthy Lifestyle
In general, you need to follow several rules: eat healthy food, sleep 8 hours, and exercise more. The ideal student diet is full of vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain foods. This will stimulate your brain’s function and improve its performance. If you are addicted to drinking coffee, it is better to reduce the daily intake to a maximum of two cups. You might think that it stimulates you and gives you more energy. But in reality, it just increases cortical arousal and interferes with studying and remembering information.
In general, people need from six to eight hours of sleep. Before going to bed, it is better to put away your books and gadgets. Instead, have a relaxing bath, chat with your friends, or listen to some chill music. Overnight, information is transferred from short-term to long-term memory. It means that while we are sleeping, we memorize what we have learned during the day.
As for sports, it is great if you can find time to exercise from time to time. Try to spend at least half an hour a day outside. Have a walk to the park, go to the forest or lake, or ride a bike. It will help you not only reduce stress and prevent back pain but also distract and focus on the positive things in life.
Get Some Rest Before Your Exam
Before the test, it is best to finish your prep the day before. Don’t try to urgently learn what you haven’t learned – it won’t do you any good. It is better to have a rest and let yourself switch to something more pleasant and positive. And most importantly, go to bed early. Rest before the exam to ensure that you remember everything the next day, you will succeed, and you will not be very nervous.
To Wrap It Up
Finals season is just around the corner, but there is no need to stress yourself out. Take it slowly, focus on preparation but never forget about your health. Exams are important, but it isn’t worth sacrificing everything for good results. We highly recommend you take into account all the information above and hope for the best. Good luck with your exams!
