Exam Stress Management: Tips for Wellbeing and Success

• Citizenship
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)

Exam Stress Management: Tips for Wellbeing and Success

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you will be able to identify and apply various techniques to lower exam stress and prioritize wellbeing.

Introduce the learning objective and explain how the lesson will help students manage exam stress and prioritize their wellbeing.

How are your stress levels?

Very anxious

A little anxious

Stressed

Calm

Heightened emotions

Angry

Some anxiety

Dread

Indifferent

Excited

Understanding Exam Stress

Exam stress is a natural response that can be managed by understanding the root causes and identifying triggers. Common triggers include fear of failure, time constraints, and lack of preparation.

“Like a weight placed on top of you. While you want to succeed, I find it really difficult to because of the pressure.”

“Where I'm constantly feeling overwhelmed by the idea of studying or doing the exams and it causes me to lose focus. This lack of focus leads to me feeling like I'm going to fail and adds to the stress – like a snowball effect.”

“Knowing you have so much to do in so little time. Imagining how you know you're going to fail and feeling so stupid because you simply can't remember anything.”

Explain what exam stress is and how it can impact students. Discuss common triggers and helpful strategies for managing stress.

How might exam stress affect you?

Prioritizing Self-Care

Prioritizing self-care is key to managing exam stress. This includes getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in physical activity. Taking breaks and practicing mindfulness can also help maintain focus and reduce stress.

Discuss the importance of self-care in reducing exam stress. Provide practical tips for students to prioritize their wellbeing during exam season.

What could you do to lower stress and anxiety?

Effective Time Management

Effective time management can help students feel more in control and reduce stress. Strategies include creating a study schedule, breaking down tasks into manageable chunks, and setting realistic goals.

Discuss how effective time management can help students reduce exam stress. Provide practical tips for students to manage their time effectively and set realistic goals.

Stress Reduction Techniques

There are a number of stress reduction techniques that can be used to manage exam stress. These include deep breathing, visualization, and progressive muscle relaxation. Taking short breaks and engaging in enjoyable activities can also help reduce stress.

Introduce students to various stress reduction techniques that can help manage exam stress. Encourage students to try different techniques and identify what works best for them.

Building a Support System

Building a support system can help students manage exam stress. This includes talking to family and friends, seeking support from teachers and tutors, and accessing mental health resources.

Discuss the importance of building a support system during exam season. Provide practical tips for students to access support and resources.

Staying Positive

Staying positive can help reduce exam stress and improve overall wellbeing. This includes reframing negative thoughts, focusing on strengths, and practicing gratitude.

Discuss how staying positive can help reduce exam stress and improve overall wellbeing. Provide practical tips for students to stay positive and reframe negative thoughts.

Putting It All Together

By combining these strategies, students can manage exam stress and prioritize their wellbeing. Remember to take care of yourself, manage your time effectively, access support, and stay positive.

Summarize the key strategies for managing exam stress and prioritizing wellbeing. Encourage students to practice these strategies and identify what works best for them.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.