Exams are round the corner. With it comes hours of exhaustive study and revision. Panicking is common among students. CHANDAN PODDAR shares tips that can help

A little stress can be a good thing: It can be that motivational push that we need to get things done. After months of attending lectures in schools, coaching classes, submitting different assignments and attempting to read around your subjects, exam season is finally here. With it comes hours of exhaustive study and revision, which can be a difficult thing to manage. Panicking before, during or even after an exam is common among students.

Remember that there is usually a rational solution to every problem, even if you can’t see it at first glance.The earlier you start, the more prepared you will be. Starting early allows you some extended time to learn and revise the contents. As rote learning is just not effective for everyone and will only create more stress.

Plan your revision to utilise the times when you think you are at the peak of your productivity levels. Setting realistic or practical goals, whether you have several weeks, days or hours before your exam, helps you to put everything into perspective - acceptance of your situation and working within the realms of what all you have maximises your output.

Below are tips that can help:

• Devote at least one hour to one subject.
• Inform your parents that you are going to study and not to disturb meanwhile.
• Focus on past examination questions to understand the perfect nature of the exam. Generally, eighty per cent of paper comes from past examination questions.
• Give your best without thinking rest. Do as much as you can then prey the God to fill in the blank.
• Take the blessings of parents and touch their feet every morning.
• Before starting studies, remember Almighty for at least five minutes and ask for the strength to complete your targets.

Research says that revising with peers is an effective study technique as it allows individuals to better absorb their subject. Ask a friend or your parents for help. Asking for help is never shameful. Sometimes it may be useful to have someone hear you summarise points or to practise an oral presentation.

Stress and sleep have a two-way relationship. Effective time management includes getting enough rest and good sleep, which leaves you feeling more energised so that you’re able to focus when studying.

Have a clean, quiet, well-ventilated space to work, with easy access to any materials you need. Find out exactly what the exam involves. Are there past exam papers you can look at to help you understand what to expect?

Make a plan of what you want to cover in each study period. Take regular short breaks of about five-10 minutes. Don’t consume energy drinks, coffee or any other stimulants as these can make you feel agitated; drink water instead. Avoid junk food also.

Reward or pamper yourself when you achieve your study goals, such as watching an episode of your favourite TV show or going for a walk. Work out on how long you have for each question and stick to it. If you have time at the end you can complete unfinished questions. Work on questions that you find easiest first. Manage time before the end of the exam to revise answers and make necessary changes, if any.

Last but not the least: Believe in yourself.