How to Stay On Track During Stressful Times
3 years ago
Exams are a month away and we understand that the stress is starting to build up. We have some strategies to help keep you calm and on track not only during Self-Care September but also beyond.
1. Evaluate your priorities and goals.
When you are under intense pressure, like in the lead up to exams, it is important to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel so consider - what’s your light?
Ask yourself these questions: What are your goals? Why are you working so hard towards these goals? How can you achieve these goals in small but specific steps?
2. Identify and resolve any stressors.
Sometimes the best way you can relieve stress and stay focused is to remove the source of anxiety.
If you are nervous about your English exam tomorrow (no, you can’t remove it), this might include writing a practice essay. If you’ve got a friend whose mental health you are worried about, send them a text.
However, we often get caught up in the situations we create in our mind about what is going to happen in the future or what we wished we could change, which is why the next piece of advice might be useful.
3. Focus on the present.
It is easy to stress out about your ATAR or maybe the fact you haven’t really decided what you want to do after high school, but the key is to focus on the present and what steps you can take to do your best.
Try to set some time aside to make a long term plan that will set you up for success and what little things you can do each day to meet that goal, like writing down what English quotes you can remember or timing how many multiple-choice questions you can answer on an exam.
4. Use the Eisenhower matrix.
This time management grid is useful when you have a lot of tasks on your to-do list due but you don’t know where to start.
Tasks are divided into two categories: tasks that are due in a limited amount of time or are urgent and tasks that have value or are important.
Tasks that are both urgent and important are put in the top left corner of the matrix and they are the tasks you do first, followed by the ones you should do later, delegate and eliminate.
5. Place a buffer on your plans.
When life consumes the time we had dedicated to studying or doing practice exams, it can be quite stressful. So, let’s try and prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.
Plan ahead, start doing practice essays a week earlier than you planned, tell your family not to interrupt you for the next hour, or even make the time you dedicated to studying half-an-hour longer in case you do get interrupted.
Life doesn’t always go to plan, but if this year has taught us anything, it’s that we can adapt and keep pushing forward.
It is a stressful time and crazy year but with these tips we hope you can overcome your fears and tackle the final hurdles for the school year!
Remember to take a break and to take care of yourself too.
Good luck!
By Xenia Sanut