How To Deal With Stress Before Your Exam

Exams cause stress, there’s no doubt about it. The pressure that you are under to achieve can make the period running up to your examination a very stressful one. Too much stress can have a negative effect on you both physically and psychologically. Insomnia, panic attacks, loss of appetite, anxiety, depression and irritability are all symptoms of high stress levels and can damage your ability to study properly and recall information during your exam. So how do you deal with the stress of exams? Here at Northwest we are always concerned about our students’ welfare, so we’ve put together these simple and easy to follow tips on how to reduce your stress level before your exam.

How To Deal With Exam Stress

• Take A Break – Taking a break from the stressor, even for a little as twenty minutes, has a proven calming effect on those experiencing stress. Taking regular breaks from studying is always a good idea, as your brain can only absorb so much information at any one time. Make space in your study schedule to relax, step away from your notes and spend some time thinking about something else.

• Exercise – There is plenty of evidence to back the idea that even short periods of exercise are vital in reducing your stress levels. Exercise also helps to flush toxins from your system, lifts your mood and oxygenates your blood stream, leaving you refreshed and better able to study. Next time you are feeling stressed make the time to go for a short walk, run, swim or even dance to help get you back on track.

• Socialize – Humans are naturally social creatures and isolation is one of the factors that can cause stress. While you might not have a lot of time for partying in the run up to your exams, do make time to see friends and get out of the library. Conversation can help to relax you and discussing your studies with other can make it easier to identify areas you need to focus on and to commit information to memory.

• Smile – It might sound odd, but recent studies have shown that the act of smiling can reduce stress. Smiling uses most of the major muscles in the face and scientists have linked the exercising of those muscles to reduced levels of stress and quicker recovery after stressful incidents. Laughter has also been prove to reduce stress levels, so next time you’re feeling the weight of exam season, spend some time watching your favorite comedian to shrug off that stress.

• Meditate – Meditation, or mindfulness, can be used to help you become more relaxed and focussed, two things you’ll need to be to get the most out of your studying sessions. Spending some time relaxing and concentrating on your breathing is an excellent way to sort through your emotions and clear your mind. Much like exercise, research has shown that even short periods of meditation can result in lowered stress levels.

• Massage – Massage is an excellent way to relax and take a break from the stress of your exams. In addition to reducing stress massage also helps you more rapidly recover from physical injury, has a positive effect on insomnia and depression and can help you feel more focussed. At Northwest our student massage clinic is open seven days a week, so it’s never been easier to take some time off from studying to have a relaxing massage.

The Best Place To Take Your Exam

Here at Northwest Career College, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible facilities to allow them to take advantage of the excellent courses we have to offer. In addition to our Pearson VUE testing center, we also offer morning, afternoon, night, online and blended classes to accommodate your Las Vegas work and family schedule. And, we have an experienced Career Services team to help you find the best employment opportunity for your new career. Call us today on (702) 403-1592 to find out more about what we can offer you!

Written by:
Dr. Stephanie Kenny  
Dean of Students