Study strategies to decrease stress during exams
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EmailMany students, no matter the age, experience test anxiety and stress connected to exams. Learn strategies for positive study habits and test-taking tips for success that can help to decrease stress or anxious feelings that may surface during exams.
The time leading up to an exam can bring scholars stressful feelings and emotions. Worry, nervousness and anxious thoughts often rise to the surface as students study and hope for the best on their exams, projects and grades. Whether you are in middle school, high school, college, or graduate school, you’ve likely experienced the stress and pressure from exams, finals or project deadlines. Identifying positive coping skills can make a difference in navigating these stressful times.
Michigan State University and Michigan State University Extension provide helpful study strategies that can increase your ability to manage stress during school evaluation periods. MSU emphasizes that cramming is not the most effective way to study and can increase feelings of being overwhelmed or anxious. Instead, it is recommended to establish study habits that allow your brain to store information in long-term memory.
Positive study strategies
- Avoid procrastination
- Find a conducive place to study with minimum distractions
- Consider joining a study group
- Take naps and get enough rest (all-nighters aren’t always the answer)
- Create a playlist that keeps you motivated or helps you focus
- Eat healthy snacks and stay hydrated
- Take breaks to walk, stretch or recharge
- Create a practice test or study guide (if one isn’t provided) and use flash cards to quiz yourself
- Give yourself grace and patience
Once you’ve mastered these study strategies and make it to exam week, consider trying these test-taking tips to help you stay focused and decrease stress.
Test-taking strategies
- Try chewing gum to increase focus
- Listen to and read instructions fully so you do not miss any details
- Look over the entire exam before beginning
- Answer the questions you know first
- Return to the questions you’re unsure about
- Check your answers
Lastly, if the exam process brings on test anxiety, mindfulness practices such as deep breathing and meditation can help ease stress. Positive self-talk is another helpful technique in which you replace negative thoughts with encouraging statements like:
- “I prepared for this.”
- “I will be successful.”
- “I am almost to the finish line!”
Good luck with your future exams and tests – you’ve got this!
For more study tips, visit the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Study and Test Tips page. For more mindfulness techniques and programs, visit the Michigan 4-H Healthy Youth page focused on mental and emotional wellness.
