Friday 21 November 2014

MANAGING EXAM STRESS: 5. Aromatherapy & Positive self-statements

TRY AROMATHERAPY


Aromatherapy involves using essential oils from plants, which can help you to relax more easily. Try a couple of drops of lavender oil on your pillow at night. Or put a few drops of lavender, rosemary or geranium oil into your bath.

 POSITIVE SELF-STATEMENTS

Put yourself into a positive form of mind by imagining how you would LIKE things to go. Imagine yourself turning up for the exam feeling confident and relaxed – try to picture it in as much detail as possible. Rather like rehearsing for a part in a play, this can replace negative, anxious thoughts with more positive ones.

The way we see ourselves and the way we think/talk to ourselves controls the way we will response in stressful situations. Each time you start thinking or saying something negative such as ‘I failed last time, I’ll probably fail again this time,’ challenge this attitude with a strong logical, forceful self-statement: ‘OK, so I failed last time but that doesn’t mean I am going to fail again this time. I’m better prepared and I’ve got a new approach to my work’ Change your paralyzing stress to motivating stress. Don’t work to the last minute on the night or morning before the exam. Last minute revisions may leave you feeling muddled and anxious. Pulling all-nighters works for the first few exams but by the third day you will be seriously under performing. Remember most exams start at 9.30am, so in the weeks before the exam you need to adjust to functioning academically between 9-5.00pm.



 

This article was written by Cindy Dring ofStudent's Services Health Promotion. If you have problems or worries you feel you would like to talk about confidentially, contact Cindy at 091-492048. Alternatively e-mail her at cindy.dring@nuigalway.ie or just drop in to Aras Ni Eimhigh.

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