Managing Exam Stress

Importance of Mental Health

• Mental health is crucial for students, especially during exam periods. Managing stress effectively helps improve performance and overall well-being.

Pre-Exam Preparation

• Self-Care: Key Elements

  • Prioritize getting enough sleep, maintaining a normal diet, and ensuring regular exercise.

  • It's vital to take care of your health as no exam grade is worth compromising it.

• Study Planning

  • Create a reasonable study plan by counting the number of lectures or sections and determining how many days are available for preparation.

  • Leave wiggle room in the schedule.

• Breaks

  • Schedule regular breaks to prevent burnout. Work until you complete your goals for the day, then take time to relax and do something enjoyable.

  • If overwhelmed, take short breaks during study sessions.

• Assistance and Collaboration

  • Attend review sessions offered by professors and teaching fellows for additional support.

  • Utilize office hours and email communication to ask questions and obtain help.

  • Collaborate with peers for collective learning benefits.

Exam Day Strategies

• Morning Routine

  • Establish a morning routine that includes having breakfast and partaking in calming activities like meditation or deep breaths.

  • Stay away from stress-inducing behaviors such as incessantly checking syllabi or rushing.

• During the Exam

  • Create a time management plan: Allocate 5-10 minutes of buffer time and divide the total exam time by the number of questions to determine how long to spend on each.

  • If stuck on a question, move on and return to it later.

  • Use highlighters to underline key aspects of questions and identify hints provided by the professor.

  • Stay calm, take deep breaths, and take mini breaks if feeling anxious.

  • Remember, it’s acceptable to feel a little stressed but refocus as needed.

Post-Exam Reflection

• Self-Care After the Exam

  • After completing the exam, take a break and reward yourself with a small treat or enjoyable activity.

  • Reflect on the experience, but remember that overthinking will not improve outcomes.

• Staying Aware of Mental Health

  • Be conscious of your mental health. If stress becomes unmanageable, seek help. Statistics indicate that many college students report experiencing anxiety and depression.

  • Utilize campus resources, including counseling services. If help is needed, it's easier to address issues sooner rather than later.

Seeking Support

• Resources

  • For additional assistance, YCC offers mental health resources, including individual and group therapy.

  • Don’t hesitate to ask for help—delaying could worsen the situation.