Dealing with exam pressure could be intimidating for the students especially when the exams are just around the corner. Most students find it difficult to concentrate while studying even their favourite subjects. Some students cannot cope with the stress that comes along with the fear of taking tests and performing well in the examination. Both these scenarios require the students to understand the importance of time management. Improving time management can bring a drastic difference in the students’ concentration span, help them deal with stress better and increase the quality of student life.

1. Stop procrastination and Get out of the bed

Start by making the right decision, the first thing in the morning. If you find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning, then imagine how would you find the will to get other important things done throughout the day? That is why it is important to set one alarm and make it a habit to get out of bed without procrastinating it any further.

2. Make smaller and manageable tasks

After finishing the morning rituals including a warm-up, breakfast and meditation (you should never skip these, as they are necessary for a wholesome lifestyle), you must make a list of all the important tasks. In doing so, prioritize your tasks according to the time you’d require to complete these tasks. Keep a slot during the morning for revision purposes. Right after this, take out time to revise all the important topics that you are sure would be asked in the examination - diagrams, maps, graphs etc.

3. Don't procrastinate by working on unimportant tasks

Often, we find it difficult to move on from difficult topics and feel guilty or helpless for not understanding these topics fully. Even after trying your best you are not able to figure out a topic, try to shift to the topics that you find easier. Time is crucial and getting stuck with a few topics can not only hamper your self-confidence but also end up wasting your crucial time. Take action and start working on the items at the top of the list to boost your confidence and overall marks.

4. Don’t bottle up, talk to others

In any kind of stressful situation, keeping your fears and anxiety to yourself may have the worst kind of repercussions. It is highly advisable to talk out to people and tell them about your concerns. You may talk to your parents, teachers or siblings. You shall feel lighter after sharing your feelings with them.

5. Deal with stress by writing in a journal or a blog

One of the easiest ways to deal with stress is to write about your feelings. You may choose physical platforms like diaries and journals, or electronic mediums like blogs. Writing your thoughts releases your tension, and reduces stress to a great extent. You can also note your progress on the exam preparation front in this journal to keep your morale high.

6. Eat, exercise, and sleep enough

Always remember that compromised physical and mental health can have a drastic impact on your study schedule. Prioritise eating healthy and engaging in some sort of physical activity to ensure that your body is in a healthy space. It is quite possible that tight schedules, revisions and stress could give you sleepless nights but fix a time to shut off all your gadgets and books in order to go to bed. A good night’s sleep is extremely crucial for the proper functioning of the brain and good mental health.

7. Determine your priorities

To achieve optimum output, determine your priorities first. If you are working on a tight schedule, a clear and concise understanding of your requirements shall help you to decide and arrange your work accordingly. Leave all unimportant works, and dedicatedly work on only the important tasks to improve your time management.

8. Create a schedule and stick to it

What is the most important thing that you need to do today? Once you are confident of your priorities, make a date wise to-do list and try to adhere to it. For this, use a timer, and set a limit for yourself. It may sound challenging at first, but once you get into the habit, it shall immensely assist you in finishing your work on time.

9. Eliminate distractions

In today’s globalised world, students are often distracted by a number of factors such as electronic gadgets and social media platforms. Hence, health experts are in fact talking about digital detoxification these days. While studying, try to switch off your mobile phones, to begin with. Additionally, a study room without any television noise can be an added advantage. You can also try to study at odd hours (like after midnight). This reduces the additional distractions and improves time management. 

10. Take breaks and reward yourself

It is tedious and boring to study continuously for a longer period of time. You may feel both physically as well as mentally drained. Therefore, take regular breaks for a short time in between your studies, and reward yourself for your efforts. Enjoy some quick snacks, or take a short walk around but do something that does not have anything to do with studying. This will give some rest to your mind and eyes. This shall help you study more effectively and help you to achieve your goals better.

Last but not the least, examinations happen to test your knowledge not to judge your knowledge system. It is important to understand the process and enjoy the journey. When you study to get good scores the scope of your learning remains limited. Try to study in order to build a stronger foundation for life and you shall excel.

KidsChaupal is an online learning platform that ensures that kids not only score good marks but also understand the importance of learning. We thrive to make learning less stressful and more fun for kids. We have designed many courses for kids to help them realise their potential.