Exams bring out the worst in most of us, which is funny because ironically, they were designed to bring out the best in us. However, somewhere along the line, we all started to miss the point.
School is a place of learning and exams are supposed to be a way of checking how much we have understood and grown by learning. But at some point, we have convinced ourselves that exam scores are a reflection of how smart and successful one is.
Often, this leads to pressures of scoring more and induces stress that can mess up one’s ability to do well or focus.
Here are some resources to shake yourself out of this paradox and tips for your academic stress managment:
As someone who’s made academic validation the entire purpose of her existence, I can assure you good scores can help but they alone won’t get you anywhere.
I remember having an upset stomach on the morning of the science board exam. And I was stuck in the bathroom for an hour and got to a point where I wondered if I’d be able to write the exam. I remember the pain and misery I went through to give the exam but I don’t remember the score I finally got on that exam (I forgot it 2 days after the results.)
Sometimes, we get so into the grind that we lose sight of why we’re doing this. When preparing for exams, most people don’t learn, they remember. Exams have become a competition for retention rather than learning. It’s important to see the long-term picture here. Exams are just one part of your life. While they are essential, they don’t account for everything. There are a lot of people who have not done well in school and continued to be successful later in life. Focus on learning and understanding rather than remembering, that way you’ll see real growth. In case you have difficulty learning by yourself, you can use youtube channels, resources on the internet, podcasts, experiments, and so many more tricks.
The best way to prevent panic is to create a way of tracking progress and holding yourself accountable. That way, you’ll always know where you stand and how much more you’ve got to do. Knowing these things is a good self-reassurance. Assess what you need to do and break them down into parts that you can tackle one by one. Maintain timetables, create plans, and make to-do lists. Some study help tools are ‘Pomodoro’, ‘Notion’, Study Stream/Focus rooms, ‘Kahoot!’, ‘Quizziz’.
Most educational institutions provide counselling services to students. These services often include individual therapy sessions, group counselling, and workshops tailored to address academic stress. Reach out to your counselling centre to schedule an appointment with a trained professional who can provide support and guidance.
Websites like ‘Vandrevala Foundation’, ‘Manastha’, ‘HopeQure’, ‘Talkspace’, and ‘BetterHelp’ provide access to licensed therapists who can offer guidance and support remotely.
They provide a safe space to share experiences, gain support from peers, and learn coping strategies. If you don’t have one such group around you, you can search for online communities or forums focused on academic stress. ‘Discord’ is a great app to connect with niche communities and specific support groups.
Some popular ones which offer guided meditations, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques include ‘Headspace’, ‘Calm’, and ‘Insight Timer’. ‘Mindshift CBT’ is an app that provides anxiety relief and helps overcome panic, worry, and stress from a lack of perfection.
Yes, the elders are right. Taking a walk solves a lot more problems than you think. Exam time can be a mentally exhausting time. Incorporating exercise of any form, be it cycling, gym, playing a sport, or going for a swim, helps your mind relax and gives rejuvenates your body. It is the perfect kind of break and will help you focus better once you get back to studying. If you’re someone that’s not great with physical activities, try starting with simple exercises from YouTube videos. ‘Crossfit’ is a great app that provides a range of at-home exercises for beginners.
This is my personal favourite. Every time I got too stressed, my mom would say “Take a nap”, which made me boil with rage. “What can a nap do? Help me mug up the periodic table??” was what I thought at that time. And guess what? It did! Taking a good nap helps refresh your brain. It is the easiest thing to resort to when you feel like you’re about to have a meltdown. Trust me, nothing heals you like a good nap.
Remember, it’s crucial to ask for assistance from a mental health professional or a reliable member of your support network if you’re feeling particularly distressed. Engage in conversation and confide in others around you. They can support you and offer you tailored advice.
Authored By
Sanjita Tadiparthi,
A determined individual from the BBA General Batch of 2025. Battling her own demons, such as stress, anger, and social anxiety, she has embraced the significance of prioritizing mental health. Joining the Wellness Centre, Sanjita aims to assist others while healing a part of herself. Through her blog, she shares personal experiences, insights, and valuable lessons, offering inspiration and support to those on similar journey for academic stress managment.