How to Manage Stress

Examination seasons can be stressful.

As the crunch time for examinations rolls around, it is normal to feel stressed out by mounting pressure and deadlines to meet. However, the key is to manage your stress in order to not place even more pressure on yourself. Here are some ways you can choose to manage your stress levels.

1. Set aside time for an activity that calms your nerves

High levels of pressure can be debilitating and may derail our productivity. Taking a break to restore your balance is important, as it allows your mind to disengage from work and concentrate on something else, which can help you think more clearly and effectively. Taking a few minutes to rest and rejuvenate the mind after a study session is also beneficial in improving our energy and focus during long stretches of studying, increasing productivity.

2. Talk to a trusted person if you feel the stress is too much to handle

A burden shared is a burden halved – keeping your feelings to yourself has a negative impact on your mental health, and it is widely advised to speak to someone you trust about your problems. Be it your parents, friends or teachers, there will be a support system in place to offer help in the form of practical advice or assisting with tasks. Furthermore, talking about our feelings allows us to better identify the root cause of our stress, and it becomes easier to break down the problem, understanding and addressing it accordingly.

3. If you feel overwhelmed with work, speak to a teacher

Our teachers are here to look out for us and ensure our wellbeing. While it may feel intimidating to approach your teachers for help, it is important to let them know about any difficulties you are facing, be it in school or outside. With a clearer understanding of your situation, our teachers are definitely more than willing to offer their help or find solutions that balance your academic and personal life.

4. Set realistic goals and expectations for yourself

In the heat of the moment, it can be easy to say yes to everything and find ourselves in a position where we have heavily overcommitted ourselves to extracurricular activities alongside academic responsibilities. It is important to prioritise tasks and organise our time, delegating tasks if necessary to reduce the stress of a heavy workload. Breaking up our tasks into manageable, bite-sized deliverables is also useful in visualising our workload, allowing us to better set realistic expectations and deadlines.

In conclusion, it is important to manage our stress and look for healthy coping mechanisms to prevent chronic stress and burnout. Do look out for your friends and check in on them during this period as well – we are a part of their support system as much as they are a part of ours.