How to Reduce Exam Stress During SSC Preparation?

Most students are stressed while preparing for any government exam, and SSC is no exception. This pressure can sometimes be due to the exam syllabus, competition with peers, or unrealistic expectations from ownselves. 

But, this exam stress will do nothing good to your preparation, and you'll fail to get the desired result. To help you tackle this issue, let’s discuss how to reduce stress during exams.

Tips to Combat Stress During SSC Preparation 

1. Know the Exam Pattern Before Starting Preparation

At most times, the reason for stress can be a lack of awareness of the exam. So don't jump on to the preparation directly; instead, research the exam first and know the exam pattern and syllabus well. 

This will help you create a path on which you must move to reach your goal. Also, read about the toppers' strategy and SSC exam preparation tips, learn about their problems and how they handled them. 

2. Set Realistic Goals

Impractical and unrealistic goals are mostly the reason for stress. While preparing for the exam, students want to make sure that they don't miss out on anything. 

Thus, they have to revise the syllabus maximum times and practice everything in and out. While it is not a wrong thought process, it can be impractical to cover everything. 

And to achieve this, students sometimes set unrealistic goals. They plan to study for 3-4 hours on a stretch and some study for 14-15 hours a day which is not sustainable for a longer period and can lead to stress. 

3. Learn Time Management

Time management is the key aspect of preparation and helps to deal with exam stress. A research was conducted where students involved in exam preparation were taught some time management techniques. The study result showed that the students who practiced time management showed lower levels of exam stress than those who did not. 

Effective time management strategy includes enough time for both studying and resting, which leaves students feeling more energized. Thus, they are able to prepare for the exam without stressing over anything. 

4. Don't Isolate Yourself

People tell you that it is better to isolate yourself during your SSC exam preparation to avoid any kind of disturbance. But you should not isolate yourself completely. 

Instead, you need to know who you don't want to talk to and stay away from the people who hamper your mental health. At the same time, you want to stay connected to people who push you and motivate you if you ever feel low. They can be your family, friends, or anyone you feel connected to. 

5. Practice Deep Breathing 

When you encounter stress during exam preparation, your heartbeat accelerates, and your breathing increases rapidly. But, science has proven that deep breathing reduces your stress levels. 

Hence, students must practice deep breathing exercises in the morning or evening as it will help calm their minds and reduce stress before exams. There are several types of breathing exercises that students can practice. Some of them are:

• Belly breathing

• Abdominal breathing

• Paced respiration

• Diaphragmatic breathing

6. Keep Your Body Healthy

Maintaining your health is very important for effective preparation. Some of the things that students must do to keep their body healthy are:

• Reduce sugar intake: The more your sugar intake is, the more you'll feel stressed. Hence, you must cut down on your sugar intake and have a balanced diet. Eat a high-protein breakfast, including eggs, oats, peanut butter, and nuts. Add 2-3 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Have herbal tea, dark chocolates, and fruits rich in vitamin C. 

• Exercise regularly: Most students feel that exercising is a waste of time during exam preparation. However, exercising has shown to be a great stress booster. It energizes your body and freshens up your mind. Thus, simple exercises like jogging, walking, or yoga will help you combat your stress. Research has also shown that high-intensity exercises, which stress your body, help in defeating mental stress. 

• Be hydrated: Water is an essential requirement of the body, but with daily hustle, we forget to drink as much water as required by the body. Hydrating your body is effortless and acts as a great exam stress buster. If you forget to take enough water during the day, you can keep a one-litre bottle with you and keep refilling it after finishing. It can be your target to refill the bottle twice or thrice a day and keep yourself hydrated. 

The Last Word

We hope these simple tips helps you tackle stress during your preparation. Stay tuned for more information and guidance on the SSC exam and other government exams. 

Also read - Reasons to make a career in SSC