April is stress awareness month, and Warwickshire County Council is sharing tips and information to help people find ways to manage stress and improve their wellbeing, this article is aimed at young peoplewho may be preparing for summer examinations
Below are some tips for young people to help manage the pressures they may face around exams and in considering their plans for the future:
Plan revision around an easy to follow and realistic timetable - aim for 2-3 hours a day broken into manageable chunks with lots of downtime and some rewards
Set a plan that works for you and remember people learn in different ways! Make your own revision materials. Instead of just trying to memorise notes, try making flash cards, voice recordings or mind maps… you could even write a song or poem
Organise your workspace. Where you work is important, if you're in a stressful environment, it is inevitable that the stress will rub off on you. Find somewhere light and calm where you can spread out and get organised.
Look after your physical health – do some exercise, get some fresh air, drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep.
Eat! We don’t perform well when we’re hungry, so no matter how nervous you are, eat a balanced breakfast. Avoid sugary foods like chocolate, this will give you a sudden burst of energy but may cause you to crash during the exam. If your exam is in the afternoon, make sure you eat a decent balanced lunch before that too.
Limit screen time, particularly at night-time, try to put phones and tablets down and come offline 45 minutes before bed.
Continue to keep some time aside to do the things you enjoy, such as sport, hobbies and seeing your friends. It is good to take time to reward yourself for your time spent revising.
Talk to other people you trust about how you’re feeling such as friends, family and teachers. They can support you and work with you through any concerns.
Reflect on all you’ve learned to try and sum up all you’ve been doing so far and how you will be able to demonstrate knowledge.
Remember not to be too hard on yourself. Be the best you can be, that's all you can do. If it doesn’t work out, remember that it's not the end of the world.
For more information about managing exam related stress and being prepared, you can visit the NHS website, linked below: