We have
all been there, myself included, so don't worry!
During this thread, I will be using various sites, resources and videos, so all credits go to them and it must be noted that I am not a professional, nor have I had any kind of training in the area. However, I have experienced exam stress and I have overcome it, to an extent.
"How to make stress your friend?"[video="youtube;RcGyVTAoXEU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcGyVTAoXEU[/video]
To summarise this TED talk: don't view stress in a negative light. If we believe stress is bad for you, this will affect your health. The stress hormone is used to motivate you to seek support from the people you love.
My thoughts: If you are stressed, don't stress yourself over the fact you are stressed, Stop and go speak to someone about it. Let them relieve you. Ideally, it would be someone who does not stress you further.
How to stop negative thoughts? see:
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/dealing_with_exam_stress"How to 'de-stress'?"- Put on some music you like, sing and dance badly to it and let yourself go
- Watch a favourite film that will help to uplift your mood
- Take a day off and go see friends or family
- Stay away from people who stress/pressure you
"Oh my God, I've only read Macbeth 17 times" see:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/advice/factfile_az/exams_stressMy thoughts: Don't compare yourself to others. It is pointless because there are people who revised loads, who have gone in and gotten Us and there are people who haven't revised anything, who have gone in and gotten As. What they say they have done is not always reflective of the grade they will get.
Take care of yourself! see:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/advice/factfile_az/exams_stressMy thoughts: Eating right is definitely necessary, you need all the appropriate food to be able to function and retain information during revision and the exam. Sleeping (at least 8 hours) is also crucial: yes, you may be a night owl, but make sure you sleep 8 hours during the day then.
"Its not the end of your life"The number of times people have said that to me and it hasn't helped, is billiionns.
What they are saying is true. Become a bit more Hakuna Matata/Aal Izz Well/happy-go-lucky, for example, by saying:
"If I don't do well in GCSEs/AS Level/A2 Level, I will just re-evaluate whether the subjects I chose were the best, and whether I should be doing something else. If I do believe I am doing the right subjects and course, I will remark or retake modules or retake the year or (only applicable to A2 students) go into clearing and decide."
Also, another example: If you want to do medicine and you end up getting Us (without extenuating circumstances), perhaps medicine will be too academically challenging for you or you can retake and see which universities will accept you.
"It's just getting too much for me..."If you ever feel this way and feel that your family members/friends cant help, don't hesitate to contact ChildLine
see:
https://www.childline.org.uk/Explore/SchoolCollege/Pages/exam-stress.aspxMore resources:http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/advice/personal/managingexamstress/http://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/studyskills/assessment_evaluation/assessment/exam_stress.htmlhttp://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Exam-Stresshttp://www.nottingham.ac.uk/currentstudents/healthyu/managing-exam-stress.aspxhttp://www.stressbusting.co.uk/how-to-deal-with-exam-stress/http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htmhttp://www.cimaglobal.com/Thought-leadership/Newsletters/Velocity-e-magazine/Velocity-2012/Velocity-July-2012/Managing-exam-stress/http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htmAlso, if you ever want some more advice or just someone to talk to, im here and feel free to PM me