How to manage your stress and achieve your best this EoUA and exam period
The end-of-unit assessment and exam period, running from Monday 2 to Friday 13 June, can be one of the most stressful times many students experience during their studies. It’s common to feel some pressure during this period, whether from personal expectations or the expectations of those around you, but too much stress and pressure can negatively impact your health and studies.
Preparing and knowing what to expect for your assessments while also being aware of and managing your levels of stress will enable you to achieve your best this assessment period. The following tips and resources can help.
Some amount of stress is normal
Stress is a normal human reaction to difficult situations – we all need a level of performance stress to do our best and stress indicates passion for achieving your goals.
Looking too far ahead, however, and asking negative ‘what if’ questions can lead to unhelpful anxiety about worst-case scenarios.
Watch for signs of excessive stress
Mounting levels of stress levels not only lead to racing thoughts and worry, it can often manifest in physical forms – a change in appetite, headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension, fatigue and agitation.
Our experiences of stress are highly subjective so be aware of your typical signs and ask for help (the earlier the better!) when they negatively impact your work, study, health or relationships.
Engage in intentional self-care during peak study times
- Set achievable goals. Break up the day by assigning time for work, study and recuperation. Include time for sleeping (eight hours), eating (three meals) and regular short breaks, as this provides the foundation for clear thinking, strong focus and energy.
- Structure your priorities. Develop a list of tasks and mark them on a calendar. This helps you visualise how much time you need to study and allows you to organise your time depending on each task’s urgency, importance and resources.
- Don’t overload yourself. While multi-tasking may feel more productive, it overwhelms your mind and increases your chances of making mistakes. Focus on one task at a time to be most efficient!
- Be kind to yourself! Becoming frustrated or angry when you don’t meet your expectations or goals is a normal response but try countering this negative self-talk. Treat yourself like you would a friend – be empathetic and understanding and use your strengths to problem-solve!
It’s common to feel nervous on the day of an assessment
The more you try to eliminate nerves, the stronger they get! Nerves are normal, so acknowledge their existence. Most students feel a little nervous on the day of an assessment, no matter how prepared you are.
Protect yourself against worst-case scenarios of forgetting or failing and bring yourself back to the here and now: the assessment. Slow down thoughts with calm and even breathing, drink water if you’re sweating and breathe slowly and deeply if your heart is pounding. Then do your best!
Keep things in perspective and reach out if you need help
- Manage your worries about family expectations if your results are not what you hoped for. Be open and honest with your family and/or friends. As well as reducing your worry, this could improve how well you understand each other and lead to better support systems. If you don’t know how to start this conversation, or find yourself avoiding it, remember help is available through Deakin Counselling.
- Know that other students are having similar experiences to you. Read answers to student questions about stress and coping on Ask Counselling, or ask your own anonymous question. A counsellor will post a tailored response, often including resources and ways to manage stress and other emotional difficulties, such as issues relating to mental health, personal responsibilities and interpersonal relationships.
- Check out our app for helpful resources. The DeakinWELLBEING app, which includes interactive tools, videos and podcasts that can enhance relaxation, focus, energy, mood and productivity in minutes. It also houses the Managing Social Anxiety podcasts, which are presented by our very own Deakin counsellors. This helpful series can help you devise strategies to handle academic situations and interact effectively with your peers.
- Book a free and confidential appointment for professional advice. Our student counsellors are trained to help you cope with challenges and overcome emotional difficulties. They understand what it’s like to be at uni and support students to manage their stress.
- First appointments for onshore students are generally available within one to two weeks.
- If you’re based overseas, you can access local support.
- Located at GIFT City? See how you can book an appointment with a counsellor.
Best of luck with your assessments!