Breaksea House News

How to Beat Exam Stress and Anxiety

Come exam time, having higher than usual stress levels seems to be the new norm amongst students. In fact, many students admit to feeling anxious and overwhelmed as they feel the pressure to succeed and meet their own personal expectations. The following five tips can help your child successfully get through their exams by putting a stop to those butterflies and getting rid of those stomping elephants from the pit of her stomach!

Treat Yourself

However, you like to treat yourself for all of your hard work, make sure to find some balance and don’t wait until your exams are over to do it.

Think Positive

Often, it is the pressure we place on ourselves to get a certain grade that can contribute to our levels of stress and anxiety. Furthermore, negative thought patterns often contribute to increased self-doubt. Use your exam as an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge.

Get Outdoors

One of the best ways to manage stress and anxiety is exercise, including getting outdoors for just 15 minutes in the afternoons/evenings. Getting your heart rate up leaves you feel more alert. Positive endorphins!

Breathe

It’s simple and effective. Breathe! Try taking a few deep breaths whenever you begin to notice your stress levels rising, such as while you are studying or as you wait to enter the exam venue. To slow down your breathing, inhale to the count of four and exhale to the count of six. 

Talk it Out

While all of the above can help, if it is not working and you need more help, come and talk to any one of the supervisors. We have all been there and we are here to help you through it.

Mrs Angela Ferreira | Head of Breaksea

Waxi Wraps

On Tuesday afternoon 18 May, some the Year Ten Breaksea and Endeavour House made waxi-wraps. The wax came in quite big blocks and Mrs Ferreira had a hard time cutting them into smaller pieces! We grated the wax which then looked like cheese and sprinkled it over squares of cotton fabric, then placed it into the oven. Once they were out, we spread it out and let them dry. It was a great, fun activity involving the girls who were in. Big thanks to Mrs Ball, Mrs Ferreira and Mrs Bairstow for organising it.

Jasmine Cugley | Year Ten