Stress and anxiety levels hit an all-time high as students try to cramp a semester’s worth of lessons during the exam period. Worst of all, expectations to crush your exams turns into a vicious cycle of self-doubt that eats away your will to fight on. Is there a way around this? Of course! There are indeed ways to stay positive during the exam period and, better yet, keep your focus.
Here are some mind tricks to keep a positive mindset and enhance your study sessions:
Allow your brain to take a break sometimes
Revisions often require constant focus, and it can be exhausting if our brains try to do it over an extended period. Trying to engrave mathematical formulas and the body’s anatomy in your brain is essential. But, always remember to give your mind a break between studying sessions.
According to research, using the Pomodoro Technique while studying will help you focus better and get more done. As a result of this method, you’ll be able to complete a succession of timed assignments with brief breaks in between.
Every hour of focused study could, for example, include a 10-minute break. This will not only help you relax, but it will also prevent you from getting distracted by things like your phone, which you can reserve for your break.
Control where your mind wanders between exam papers
Just imagine a situation whereby you just came out of a tricky exam paper. And you have to deal with another exam next, which is definitely challenging after a few hours. During this time, stressing about the essay you just have is not a good idea. You definitely don’t want to be worrying too much about it until losing focus on the forthcoming paper.
So, to get rid of the worries, you’ll have to think about something else positive. Take a deep breath and distract yourself from other thoughts. It can be as random as a funny kitten meme or viral videos. Once you manage to distract your mind from the negative thoughts, take control and focus on what matters now.
Relax and treat yourself
Despite that exam season isn’t an ideal time to unwind, taking a break to pamper yourself boosts your motivation to study. In fact, knowing when to relax is the most important ingredient to stay positive during exam.
Use calming activities during your study break to ensure your brain gets the rest it needs. It can be making your own face mask to watching an episode of Bob’s Burgers.
You might think self-care is a luxury during this stressful time. But it can help you avoid burnout and bad coping techniques like drugs, alcohol, and overeating. Which are a lot worse because they might lead to an unhealthy lifestyle.
Take a nap
As students, coffee is usually the go-to method to keep the brain sharp and alert. However, it Is actually better to just take a quick 30 minutes nap. This is because naps actually assist in memory improvement and creativity. Plus, naps help you stay awake longer, along with a burst of energy and concentration. Thus the name power nap came along!
Relying on caffeine might just lead to weight gain and, worst of all, concentration slump when the effect wears off! So, just go get some shut eyes, guys!
Focus on the goal at hand
Looking at the bigger picture can help you maintain a positive attitude during the exam period. As long as you stay focused and diligent in your studies, you will be fine!
Once your examinations are over, you can also begin brainstorming ways to alleviate post-exam stress. Having a day to yourself can take many forms, such as going shopping or staying in to watch all the shows you’ve missed. Take it as a reward you deserve after going through a tough challenge in your academic life.
It’s essential to keep in mind that a little bit of stress can be beneficial because it increases your ability to work more quickly and efficiently. But remember, be gentle to yourself and let some optimism into your life to counteract the adverse effects of stress. Always keep in mind that the glass is half-full.
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