Dealing with stress: panic is the enemy

No wonder some of us feel stressed. But how can you tell when you are stressed? Negative emotions and worries about day-to-day responsibilities may all be symptoms of stress.

We’ve all experienced nights tossing and turning in bed, unable to get to sleep because our minds are worried about studies or other problems. As you try to cope with the demands of the Leaving Cert, stress can affect you in different ways. It may lead to:

• Changes in behaviour.
• Exhaustion.
• Loss of interest in studies.
• Depression.
• Difficulty in concentrating on simple tasks.
• Changes in your physical or emotional wellbeing.

Many of the causes of stress can be resolved in just a few short steps. In fact, successful students may reduce stress to a manageable level and use it to their advantage, to give them an edge in their studies and drive them forward every day.

How to reduce stress levels and clear your mind:

• Get organised and remove clutter. This is the number one cause of stress in students.
• Set realistic goals that have a specific timeframe and are measurable.
• Always use the expertise and guidance of your teachers.
• Maintain a regular study pattern. A solid study routine is reassuring.
• Allocate time properly to each subject. Weaker subjects should get more study time, and should be studied at a time when you are at your freshest and brightest.
• Prioritise well.
• Believe in yourself, be positive and track your successes.
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco and try to limit caffeine intake.
• Take regular breaks and exercise, say, three to five times a week.
• Eat healthily and get enough sleep. A healthy body leads to a healthy and stress-free mind.

Make sure to pace yourself:

If you decided to run a marathon, you would pace yourself so that you could finish the race and not run out of energy early on. A similar approach is the best way to tackle the Junior Cert or Leaving Cert and it helps you to have the best mental condition come exam time. Here are some common guidelines which can help you pace yourself properly.

• In your studies, too many loose ends and a lack of organisation can be overwhelming, and stress soon kicks in. Creating goals and overcoming your fear of failure will help clear your thoughts, and you will soon be more productive and experience reduced levels of stress.
• Remember, don't be afraid to harness the positive, energising effects of "stress" and use it to help achieve your goals. However, if you are stressed and you believe that you cannot overcome it, please seek help from someone you trust – a parent, friend, or teacher – and you'll find they can be of great assistance to you.