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Young World
Breathe deep to break stress
NIVEDITA GANGULY
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Here are a few tips to tackle tough times during exams.
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PHOTO: K.R. DEEPAK
A definate no-no: Last minute study
Piles of books stacked up in the study table, the monotonous shuffle of pages and the scorching heat of summer – all these signal the arrival of the dreaded final exams. The agonising scene behind those piles of books is a common sight – some frowning, some scratching their heads in discomfort and some just staring blankly into the sky.
With the school finals knocking at the doors, this is a common scene in most houses. Along with the students, parents too go through such anxious moments. Making hourly rounds during study hours, cooking indelible snacks during study breaks or just sitting around and cracking jokes with their loved ones are few of the pre-exam syndrome of anxious mums. In some houses, it’s a curfew-like situation during exam times. Most often, the students go through a lot of stress, which eventually reflects on their performance. When all one needs is a sharp mind to just bottle up the endless pages of the textbooks, memory seems to be reduced to a sieve!
Terrific tips
Here are some ideas from parents and teachers to help you pass your exams with flying colours:
Start positive
To start off with, make a timetable with short breaks in between.
Begin by listening to yourself. If you hear things like: “I can’t concentrate” and “I always forget”, you’re programming yourself for failure. Shed off all negative thoughts.
Replace any destructive instructions with positive ones like: “I always make time to study and remember it effortlessly.”
Short study
Prepare a regular time schedule for study. Go for frequent short study sessions rather than spending hours cramming the night before an exam.
Study when your mind is fresh and receptive and before retiring when your subconscious mind can mull over the material and file it away for easy retrieval.
Take notes
Take notes to help you concentrate and aid recall. Even a 10-minute review while waiting for a class to start is valuable.
Try thinking how great it will be to walk confidently into your exams really knowing all your stuff!
During the exam, take plenty of deep, calming breaths to deliver oxygen to your brain to help you think.
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