It is very likely that you yourself are facing the preparation of some oppositions or know someone who is doing it. Therefore, you will know that studying these tests usually entails a lot of stress for the people who carry them out, mainly due to the long duration of preparation that these exams usually have, the extensive content to study and the uncertainty of, even obtaining good results. grades, not being able to obtain the place or the expected or necessary qualification.
The objectivity of these tests or whether they are really a good selection system is a practically endless debate. The reality is that, today, competitive examinations are the set of tests and exams that any person who wants to hold a public office or job in our country must face.
The competitiveness, complexity and little knowledge of these tests can make many people feel too much stress or respect for them and decide not to carry them out. In this article, we are going to do a conceptual review of stress and its relationship with oppositions, understanding in what ways it usually appears. The main objective of this text is to provide some advice and Strategies to manage the stress that may appear when preparing for exams.
As we have been commenting, competitive examinations are a very significant challenge in the lives of those who embark on these complex tests. It is important that each person is different and the competitions vary depending on the sector or type of position for which they are developed. Next, we are going to comment on some of the most common sources of stress linked to preparing for and experiencing exams:
1. Time pressure
The oppositions normally have specific deadlines that cannot usually be broken. You have the time you have and, if you cannot prepare for the oppositions adequately, you will have to wait for the next call, which in some cases can be years away. The feeling that every minute counts increases stress exponentially the closer the exam date gets.
2. Volume of study materials
The amount of content that must be mastered for competitive exams is often overwhelming. Therefore, it is common to experience the feeling of never being fully prepared, thus increasing anxiety about not being as good as other people or about not getting the right grade.
3. Competitiveness
In relation to what we have just discussed, oppositions are constantly influenced by other people, whether it is how much they have studied, the number of times they have already taken these exams or the experience they have. This competitiveness leads to constantly doubting your abilities and increasing your stress.
4. Fear of failure
Whenever we face an exam or selection test like these, there is the fear of not having the necessary or expected qualification. This can be very overwhelming and contribute to the stress cycle that we have been discussing.
5. Social isolation
It is very common for people preparing for exams to have to put aside their social and leisure life while preparing for these exams, leading them to feel that they are missing out on many things about their environment or that they are increasingly isolated.
How to deal with stress
As stated at the beginning of this article, its objective is to offer some strategies to manage and cope with stress in opponents. Below and by way of conclusion, we present some key strategies that can make a difference in your opposition and in your stress management:
1. Effective planning
When studying competitive exams, it is very important to maintain order and close planning from the first moment. Divide your study time into manageable segments and set a realistic schedule. Careful planning will allow you to approach the study material systematically without feeling overly overwhelmed.
2. Focused study
Instead of studying passively for hours, adopt active study techniques, such as creating summaries, solving practical exercises, and teaching the material to others. This will improve retention and comprehension.
3. Rest and self-care
It is important that you do not neglect your physical and mental health. Get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and also try to find time for exercise and self-care activities that make you feel good. Stress is reduced when your body and mind are in optimal and balanced conditions.
4. Time management
Learn to manage and manage the time you have efficiently. Use tools like to-do lists, time management apps, or the Pomodoro study technique to stay focused and productive.
5. Meditation and mindfulness
It may be a good idea to practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or mindfulness during times of high stress to help reduce anxiety and calm your mind. These techniques, mainly, are intended for you to focus your attention on the present moment and, through self-affirmations, seek stability in moments of crisis.
6. Maintaining realistic goals
To ensure that stress does not overcome you, it is important that you set realistic objectives and goals for the study of your competitive exams. You must set goals that are achievable and avoid being excessively self-demanding of yourself.
7. Professional support
If you feel that this stress is overwhelming or persistent and you are not able to manage it independently, it is positive that you consider turning to mental health specialists who may even be specialized in opposition processes or complex exam preparation.
