For many of you reading this, you will be or will know someone who is preparing for exams. These could be end of year exams, GCSEs, A levels or University exams. 

Alongside preparing for exams comes high levels of stress and anxiety. This is to be expected and in this blog I'll be discussing some ways to manage stress that I (and others) have found useful. 

1. Looking after your physical health. 

We all know that stress can appear as anxiety, depression and obsessive thoughts but a less focused on area is the body. 

Ensuring you get enough, high quality sleep can help reduce your overall stress and help you concentrate more when studying. To help, you could avoid caffeine in the afternoon, spend time out side and avoid screens 1 hour before bed. 

Taking part in non obsessive, fulfilling movement. Movement not only looks after your body but helps your body release endorphins that help you reduce stress and feel happier. Keep in mind, if you have had experience with obsessive exercise in the past, ensure you are engaging in movement in a healthy way that is not preventing recovery from/relapse into disordered eating/exercise. 

2. Find ways to relax. 

It may be hard, but having "downtime", away from academics is crucial to getting the best out of your abilities when it comes to exam time. Think of it like recharging a battery. You can't do your best all the time and definitely not when you have been working for prolonged periods of time. 

Ways to relax could include, watching a film, engaging in a special interest, reading a book, playing with animals, spending time in nature or spending time with others. 

3. Mindset shifts 

Having high expectations is normal but we have to remember that these exams contain questions that (if worded different) may have been easier or harder. This means that they aren't a thorough or reliable or holistic view of your full capability/abilities.  

Be gentle with yourself and use neutral (if positive is too hard) self talk. Turning up to the exam is the biggest win and doing your best is all you can do. 

Remember : 

Anything but 100% or top marks IS NOT a fail or bad performance. 

Turning up is the biggest win 

All or nothing mindset is not helpful*

* I understand for neurodivergent individuals that this is very hard. 

Your best is enough 

If you gave 30% when you only had 30% then you gave your all. 

Thank you for reading this article. 

Make sure to look after yourself and remember, asking for help is always okay.