Student Wellbeing

Managing Anxiety & Stress At Exam Time

With a busy term ahead and a large focus on final assessments and exams, managing anxiety or stress allows students to prioritise their mental health and reach their academic potential. 

Our Student Wellbeing team, led by Wellbeing Coordinator Scott Cadby, has these key tips to keep stress in check. 

Take the time to plan

• Prepare a study plan and goals for each day/week. Make sure its balanced with other important things in your life - that way it will be easier to stick to.
• For students with jobs, talk to your employers early to let them know you need to limit your shifts / hours while studying.
• Create a study space that is comfortable, quiet, well lit, organised, and without nearby distractions (TV, phone, people talking). 
• Have everything ready ahead of each study session so you feel more confident and organised. 

Look after yourself

• Self-care is especially important when you have a big demand in your life - that way you have the energy to commit to what you need to accomplish.
• Build activities you enjoy and that bring your stress levels down into your study plan, such as sport, spending time with friends and family etc.
• Don't get hungry before or while studying. Grab nutritional snacks that keep you going - such as fruit, nuts, colourful veggies and protein.
• Get some exercise every day as this helps you to keep focused and energetic.

Stay focused

• Say no to parties during the weeks close to the exams. This will help to keep you refreshed and energised.
• When studying, switch your phone and email off to stop the distractions.

Ask for help

• Make the most of in-class revision sessions, and if anything is unclear, seek help from your teacher. 
• Practice writing essays and show your teachers for feedback for improvement.
• Ask teachers the best way to study for each subject. 
• Some teachers are happy to be contacted during the time leading up to the exams (i.e. some teachers may be willing and able to speak to you during recess/lunchtime or after school)
• Group study sessions with classmates can be a helpful and entertaining way of studying - but keep your focus on what you want to achieve with these sessions.
• Talk about what you're studying with family members and friends as this helps to retain the info more, especially names and dates, etc.

Be prepared

• Repetition is often a good way to commit information to memory.
• Use your trial exam results to focus in on what you need to study.
• Use previous exam papers to get a feel for what to expect.
• Ask friends for study tips or those who did it last year.
• To retain more information, you need to study within 24 hours of the exam on that subject. 
• Write things in coloured pen that you have trouble remembering (such as names and dates).

Day of the exam

• Do your usual routine, for example, have what you normally eat for breakfast.
• Take some water and a healthy snack (if allowed) to the exam.

And finally...

If the stress is getting to you, it will prevent you from studying effectively and confidently. Definitely ask for help from your subject teacher, House Coordinator or one of our Student Wellbeing counsellors. We're all here to support you. 

Wishing you well ahead of your exams and preparations. 

Scott Cadby PACFA Reg. Clinical (21605)

BA (Psych) MPsychotherapyCouns

Wellbeing Coordinator