Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Study and revision help

Current students

Coping with exam stress

Share Your Problems

Stress builds up if you don't share your anxieties. Discuss problems with teachers, parents, sisters, brothers and friends. Get things into perspective: there are about half a million other examination candidates who are just a nervous.

Watch Your Diet

Don't survive on snacks, but take time off for proper meals. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and avoid too much coffee. Cigarettes and alcohol are not going to help you overcome nerves, even if you think they might. They could have the effect of making you more nervous.

Plan Ahead

Don't leave all the work until the last minute. Make good use of the planners online here. If you are falling behind with revision, be realistic and re-schedule the programme. Don't "throw in the towel".

The Entertainment Factor

Don't spend every minute revising, but make sure you enjoy some social or sporting activities. Meet friends, discuss problems, but don't panic if your friends seem more confident than you - they may be bluffing!

Relaxation Techniques

You might want to try yoga or simple muscle-relaxing or breathing exercises. There are many short courses available to you to master these techniques. If a problem is getting to you, leave your work, have a break, and then come back to it. Don't be too strict with yourself: after working hard you deserve a break, so watch TV or read a magazine.

Periods of Study

It is generally recognised that the most effective continuous revision session is somewhere between 40 and 60 minutes long. People work best at different times of the day, so try and determine your best time and plan your revision sessions accordingly. At the end of each revision session, have a complete break for about 15 minutes and do something totally different. Switch subjects regularly and mix "easy" subjects with "hard" ones. Don't study too late in the evening: it is better to go to bed in a relaxed mood rather than one of tension and stress.

Seeking Help

If you feel that you aren't coping, and the thought of the exam is getting you down, then seek help from your parents, teachers, school counsellor or, if the problem is serious, from your doctor.

A Final Thought

If you do your best, nobody has the right to expect more of you!