Exam Results & Dealing with Nerves

Much like many 16 year-olds across the country, I received my GCSE results today. It was the hardest envelope I've ever had to open, but when I did I was very happy. I'm also extremely proud of my amazing friends who exceeded expectations and got incredible grades. I know that some people won't have got exactly what they wanted, but its not the end of the world; many colleges and sixth forms allow core subject re-takes and employers mostly look for what GCSEs you have, not necessarily the grades. If you got your results today or a week ago for A-Levels, I hope you did well!

All exams involve hard work, especially in GCSEs when you have to study for so many of them. I'm a complete stress-head and every day involved panicking about what the next exam will bring. But there are ways in which you can deal with these nerves. I found these 3 tips useful. These ideas could be applied to any situation you're building up to - exams, moving house, etc - and I hope they can be beneficial to you. 

1. Get Organised and Don't Cram 

Tesco - reduced to £1.75

The key to success in all potentially rewarding situations is to get organised before you carry it out. In the Easter holidays, my mum and I made a revision timetable. I put days down the side and 1st and 2nd at the top. Then I wrote 2 subjects I would study that day. Doing this in the Easter gave me so much time to stick to the plan. Drawing it out in fun colours and having someone to do it with you also makes it a lot more relaxed. Doing this with a year planner as well to set the deadlines etc. would also work really well. It helps if yours is adorable as this one I picked up from Tesco not long ago.  Its important that in your timetable you leave some time out for just doing what you want to. At the beginning of the revision period, I had the whole of Sunday free to just do things I enjoy. With revision, its vital that you don't feel you have to spend hours and hours studying. This way nothing will go in. Useful techniques I used were revising for 10 minutes, then having a five minute break, then revising for 15 minutes, then having a 5 minute break, and so on and so forth. This could also apply to housework or anything you're finding stressful. In any situation, cramming will just make you more stressed, so spreading out your work and getting organised is well worth it! 

2. Think Logically and Positively

I know that in stressful situations its hard to see any silver linings. When I was panicking in my GCSE period, I found myself thinking two things over and over; 'This won't last forever' and 'What's the worst that can happen?' Just putting these things into perspective made me feel a whole lot calmer. Most of my exams took about an hour, and when I was stuck on a difficult question, I thought that this won't take long and it'll be over soon. But at the same time, I told myself that I don't have a lot of time to prove myself, so I better get on and do it. Although that might seem a bit hard on myself, thinking that I could do it made me feel more positive. Honestly, taking any exam seems like the worst thing to do at any possible time, but the nerves and stress won't stay with you forever, and if you do your best, it will probably have a good outcome. And if not, what really is the worst that can happen? 

3. Calm Yourself the Night Before

Before any worrying situation, its important that you have a good night's sleep. On the nights before exams, I had a relaxing bath, had a calming decaffeinated tea - I love the Camomile and Honey one from Twininigs -, read a chapter or two of my book and browsed clothing websites (obvs). A nice bath bomb to use for the best night's sleep is Twilight from Lush, which has sleep-enhancing qualities. These things might not be for everyone, but it really chilled me out.  Other ideas that might suit you are exercising and stretching (most definitely not for me), FaceTime-ing or Skype-ing friends, or watching your favourite TV show. I think this is the most crucial step just because it allows you defeat the nerves and ensure you get the best sleep possible, therefore you're more awake and ready for your situation the next day.

Nerves and stress is something that affects so many people so its important to do all you can to try and relax yourself. I hope these ideas work for you and you succeed in your stressy situation! 

Hope everyone got what they wanted in exams and good luck to anyone awaiting results or upcoming tests.

See you soon! 

From, 

Eleanor