THE Leaving and Junior Cert. exams are just around the corner.
As I have some experience of training second level students in study skills I am speaking this week to students preparing for exams.
General Tips
There is no magic formula for doing well in examinations, just as there is no magic formula for doing well in life. Taking a very laid back attitude is unlikely to allow you get though the material.
But working late into the night, cutting yourself off from friends and family and reducing leisure time to zero is a recipe for fatigue and panic. We talk a lot today about work / life balance. It is the same for you. One of the key skills coming up to exam time is getting a balance between study and taking care of yourself.
A healthy mind in a healthy body is what you are aiming for. To achieve this you need to eat properly, exercise, relax, get enough sleep and have some fun as well as working hard.
The word stress has a negative image, but not all stress is bad. We need some pressure to focus us, to help us concentrate and enhance our performance during revision and exams. We do need to ensure that we don’t get overstressed. Talking positively to yourself, reminding yourself of what you can do rather than getting stuck in your fears will help your feelings of self belief and confidence.
Your body literally carries your brain on its shoulders. Just think about how you feel when you are tired, stressed out and sleeping badly. Your body feels heavy and your neck and shoulders can feel stiff and achy. You need to look after your body and your mind to function effectively and allow you:
• Think more clearly and for longer
• Study better
• Take the pressure of exams more in your stride
• Achieve better exam results
Healthy bodies need to be fed. If you want the energy to learn or spend three hours doing an exam it is essential to take in some fuel to get the engine going. Be sure to have some breakfast before starting.
Get some exercise each day right up to and throughout your exams. When you exercise endorphins, the feel good hormones, are released which get rid of the stress chemicals which flood your body and give you a natural sense of well being. It is also essential to get enough sleep.
Don’t burn the candle at both ends by finishing late and starting early – you won’t be able to perform anywhere near your best.
Evelyn Burke, MIACP, Counsellor / Psychotherapist practising in Naas
www.naascounselling.ie