Doing exams can be very stressful.
National Mental Health Charity, Turn2Me has published seven tips on how to deal with the stresses of doing exams ahead of this year's Leaving Certificate.
The days leading up to any exam are busy. Preparing, cramming, writing and reading, we understand.
However, those few days are the most stressful and cause a lot of anxiety for young people.
Turn2me are here to remind you that you can take care of your mental health and study successfully for your exams too.
CEO of Turn2Me, Fiona O'Malley said: "When you don’t take care of your mental health as you prepare for a stressful period, it’s like trying to start a car without fuel.
"Good mental health practices and good study practices need to work in tandem, hand-in-glove.
"Procrastinating is no good and pushing yourself to breaking point is no good either. Students need to use the time they have left before the Leaving Cert wisely, and this means incorporating good mental health practices into their study routine."
The charity has brainstormed and compiled these 7 tips that will help you deal with exam stress.
Create a study timetable and stick to it.
Things seem less daunting when you have a plan in place. But, failing to plan is planning to fail.
Take regular breaks.
The brain works better when you take a five-minute break every hour and you retain more information. It's a win-win.
Write revision notes and flashcards.
People learn by repeating the information and having bullet pointed cards on handy quick and easy will make you feel more organised and lower your stress levels.
Stay hydrated and eat healthy foods.
It can be easy to forget but you need to fuel your body. It's working really hard for you so treat it right.
Deep breathing.
Inhale for a count of 2-4 seconds, hold for 4-6 seconds, and exhale for 4-6 seconds.
Find a combination that works for you but try to exhale longer than you inhale - it really works.
Go for a jog or a walk in the morning.
This will wake the body and mind up. Fresh air will get your creative juices flowing and you'll feel ready to tackle any exam.
Try doing yoga or stretching in the evenings too, this will improve sleep quality.
Join a support group.
Students and parents who are feeling overwhelmed or stressed about the Leaving Cert should join the
Turn2Me free online support groups.
The Turn2Me Leaving Cert Students support group will run on Wednesdays at 6pm. The Turn2Me Leaving Cert Parents support group will run on Thursdays at 6pm.
To sign up, go to
Turn2Me.ie.
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