As students, we must have experienced exam stress at some point throughout our academic careers in high school or college. According to the education system, exams check a pupil's eligibility, outgrowth, and capability to maintain their curiosity towards studying.

You paid attention in class, took detailed notes, read every chapter, and attended spare study sessions after class, so you should do great on that big test, right? When the test appears before you, you find yourself so nervous that you blank out the answers to the most straightforward questions.

Numerous students feel stressed before an exam. A little apprehension can help you perform your swish still; when this torture becomes so devilish that it interferes with performance on an exam, it's known as exam stress.

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Why is Exam Stress harmful to Students?

You have been so encompassed with high doses of exam stress that merely a ping of your cell phone or any e-mail notification makes you wonder if another assignment just got posted. We have started to perceive them as threats now. Students remain online twenty-four hours a day, waiting for these notifications from our cell phones. They hope for something better but all we get is disappointment. Even if you are relaxing or taking some time off from your studies there is always an alarm ringing in your head that constantly keeps reminding you of your pending work.

It feels like we are not living in the moment. We are all too stressed! Exam stress causes anxiety and damages your health and body by affecting everything from your digestive system and skin to your mental health. Sustained, intense stress for long durations is a well-known enemy of longevity. A research study at The University of California shows that stress promotes cellular ageing by weakening cell structures known as telomeres. That is why prevention is so important in avoiding stress's toll on us.

How to cope with Exam Stress?

1. Make a Schedule

Make your schedule flexible. You may feel pressure to get specific grades in your classes due to several factors, such as meeting the expectations of your parents and friends. Still, you're at school to learn and grow, not to get straight A's on your report card. Focus on getting your education rather than getting specific grades. Grades will come in automatically if you take your knowledge seriously.

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2. Sleep Well

One should be prepared a night before the examination. This can be done by getting a good night's sleep. Have a good breakfast, drink a cornucopia of fluids and bring a drink. Relax into your seat, take a deep breath in and a more extended breath out. As you read through the paper, concentrate on deep breathing if you start to feel panicky. Stay focused and positive.

3. Listen to Music

Listening to music can also help you overcome exam stress and anxiety. It is one of the best activities for bidding goodbye to stress. Tuning in to the theme of your choice can create a positive environment and lift your mood. Though traditional music is prescribed as the best sort of music to help boost your brain power, you can choose the music you like as it will help you to get refreshed after a hectic study schedule.

4. Do a good Preparation

You tried right and promise to do better in the forthcoming examination. Once the test has finished, concentrate on doing something you enjoy. Spend a minimum of 2 hours on commodities you like before preparing for the coming examination. Use this time by either agitating your short- appearances with your parents or preceptors, or you can also hear soothing music.

5. Work Smarter, not Harder

Prioritise your work. Your platter of tasks will always be crowded but that doesn’t mean you have to pick up and eat each and everything on it. There will always be something left. You have to ensure that the day's important tasks are not missed. So plan your day accordingly. Crucial tasks should be done first to avoid any exam stress later.

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6. Participate in leisure activities

Do not spend too much time in front of your mobile phone. Try to connect to people and talk to them. Good support from your friends and family can ease your work troubles and help you relax. You can have a good laugh with them which can work as an excellent exam stress buster.

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7. Eat Healthy Foood

Seven to nine hours of sleep is good but any more than that can make you lethargic. You also need to replace your junk food with fruits and nutrients. Drink plenty of water. Avoid the use of tobacco, alcohol and even caffeine. They may help reduce stress at the moment but have compound effects on stress in the long run.

8. Play and Exercise

They not only have physical benefits but are also good stress relievers. Play with children or pets, or join a sports team. It will stimulate your mind and boost your self-esteem. Participating frequently in such activities will charge you up for the day and make you feel fresh and rejuvenated once you get back to your work.

9. Practice Mindfulness

Do not let stress take control of your mind. Remain positive and keep asserting yourself. You may take some time off from social media and your work. Try to be alone with your thoughts for some time. You have to turn off the autopilot that’s steering you in an endless loop of exam stress. One way of doing so is by mediation which can help filter the information that reaches us from the outside world.

Conclusion

Therefore we can conclude that exam stress is really harmful to students. It can hinder their biological functions and disturb their mental peace. It is important for every student to deal with exam stress. Students should encourage a healthy life in terms of healthy and physical habits, as this help ameliorate mood and knowledge, and reduce anxiety and stress. They should exercise regularly and take care of all the things discussed above. Without exams stress, they can perform much better in examinations.

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