There are many who today are opposing and striving for the much desired public square.
However, the current times imply more uncertainty than usual, with confinements, restrictions, changes in exam dates, new online classes that many academies offer to continue studying, etc.
All of this, together with the opponent’s usual study process, can lead to feeling certain overwhelm, restlessness, a feeling of lack of control, concentration problems and lack of motivation when it comes to continuing studying.
Therefore, below they will explain 6 keys to be able to continue studying for the exams and keep anxiety at bay.
Apply these guidelines to your daily life to prevent anxiety from being an obstacle when preparing for exams.
1. Anxiety can be learned to manage
Anxiety is a biological response of our body to situations that we consider dangerous.
In principle, it is supposed to be an adaptive response, since it helps us react to certain threatening situations from which it is necessary to emerge successfully. For example, if we are robbed, making our heart beat faster and breathing faster would help us run away more effectively.
However, There are other types of situations where anxiety can no longer be considered adaptive. and this is when it appears in the form of certain symptoms (agitation, restlessness, rapid breathing, muscle tension, concentration problems, etc.) on a recurring basis, last too long or are very intense.
In these cases, anxiety ends up interfering in our personal, work, social life… and of course, also in our studies. Therefore, although anxiety is not something that can be avoided, it is something that we can learn to manage, so that it does not significantly interfere with our lives.
In summary, the first thing that will help us is to know that anxiety is normal, that It cannot be avoided, but you can learn to reduce it..
2. Organization and time management
One of the tools that can help an opponent the most is having well-organized time. It is important to have routines, to sit and study in the same place at more or less the same time, this helps a lot to generate a study habit.
But this alone is not enough, it is also necessary to distribute the study syllabus on a weekly and monthly basis, in such a way that we have a global vision of the subject matter.
It is highly recommended to print these study schedules and leave them in a visible place.. In this way, we can cross out what we have already accomplished and motivate ourselves as we move forward. Time planning generates motivation, commitment and helps to truly take advantage of study hours for studying and rest hours for leisure.
3. Attack our anxious thoughts and redirect them
Throughout the opposition process, numerous anxious thoughts may arise such as “what if I don’t pass…”, “I’m sure I won’t get the place…” or “I hope I don’t go blank…”. All these thoughts that haunt us in the months before the exam do nothing to calm us down.
The first thing, therefore, would be realize that we have those thoughts, identify them and then transform them into other, more realistic thoughts that help us continue studying and that are more focused on solutions. For example, “I don’t have a crystal ball, I can’t predict the future about whether I will pass or not, what I can do is study every day, little by little and constantly. In this way, I will carry out the agenda in the best possible way.”
4. Use proper study techniques
Another aspect that generates the most anxiety is when you have the feeling of not retaining informationthat “I don’t know what I have studied” when reviewing by taking tests or rereading what has been studied.
Therefore, it is essential to use an active form of study. It is not enough to just read and repeat the same thing over and over again. A more participatory form of study is required: underline, make marginal notes, summaries of the most important parts, cards to memorize the most complicated aspects, etc.
Without a doubt, knowing and properly applying study techniques can give us a greater sense of self-efficacy and mastery over the syllabus, reducing anxiety.
5. Relaxation and breathing techniques
Another of the star tools is that throughout the months that you take the exams you dedicate 5 to 10 minutes a day to do some breathing techniques; for example, diaphragmatic breathing. This is like going to the gym, the more you practice, the better your results are and this way we will be able to calm down if we have a moment of anxiety during the exam.
Likewise, Relaxation techniques are very useful. I usually recommend starting with simpler techniques such as Jacobson’s progressive relaxation or some yoga exercises that continue with breathing. Practicing this 2 or 3 times a week will help us a lot in the process, although not so much if we do it only during the month of the exam.
The opposition process is a long process over time, so It is necessary to have some leisure time to be able to rest and recharge your batteries.. The general recommendation is usually not to do anything oppositional for one day a week. In this way, the mind is freed, rests and returns to study with more strength.
It is something that perhaps is not given much importance, but if you have to spend 1, 2 or 3 years taking the exam, of course this is necessary. In addition, taking a few weeks off each year is essential, although it is true that these are usually more determined by the dates of the exams and the breaks after them.
7. Don’t run! Apply a little slow life
Likewise, I would like to remind you not to run, that once you finish studying what is happening that day, try to have some moments of slow life. Come on, enjoy your free time slowly, a good hot drink, a quiet walk in the park, watching the series you like, etc. without rushing and enjoying the present moment.
You can apply these keys throughout the opposition process. Even so, if you see that anxiety does not disappear, that your feelings of overwhelm are increasing or that you cannot motivate yourself again, it is advisable to go to a professional.
