What to do when you are STRESSED?

Prepared by Mrs Eunice Iong

Causes of Stress

When students see their friends excel and do better than them in academic, their desire for progress and wanting to do better will eventually lead to stress. Healthy competition among peers is encouraged to help one another progress. However, exaggerated competition will result one to become physically and psychologically tired.

Let’s look at some simple tips on how to prevent stress.

Ways to prevent stress

1. Eat healthily
   1. Limit fat intake.
   2. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and cereals.
   3. Reduce levels of sugar, salt and spices.
   4. Take more B vitamins, especially Vitamins B1 (thiamin) and B6 (pyridoxine).
   5. Take more vitamin C.
   6. Avoid eating in restaurants and fast foods.
   7. Drink lots of water.
2. Exercise regularly
   1. Set a certain time of the day to exercise.
   2. Each session should last at least 20 minutes.
   3. Ideal forms of exercise: jogging, swimming, cycling or fast walking.
3. Take quality rest by taking short hours of sleep. This will help to restore energy.

Resources:

• Dr. Julian Melgosa, Less Stress! (1999), Editorial Safeliz, 158FRA, Gan Eng Seng School Library
• www.safeliz.com/nev.php?IDnum=12&IDnum2=12...

Preparation for Examinations

Prepared by Mrs Eunice Iong

Counting to examination is 4 weeks more to go. You will need to plan and act on your plan to better prepare yourself for the examinations so that you will be able to handle the questions better on the day of examination.

Before you begin to study

1. Find out from your subject teachers the syllabus for your subjects. This is especially useful when you have too much information in your hands and do not know where to begin with. Your syllabus will be a good guide to tell you clearly the amount of information you need to have.
2. Plan a schedule that will enable you to cope with your studies in class, complete your homework at home and work on your revision for examinations at the same time.
3. If you are studying for more than one examination, make sure you have at least one hour break in between the two different subjects for revision so that you do not confuse yourself with the notes you have studied.

Studying for Examinations

1. As you read your textbook, create master lists (key terms, general themes and related concepts) in your notes.
2. You will need to revise using your notes as the examination draws near.
3. Read through all notes from classroom lectures, practicals, workbooks, and assignments.
4. Practise your ten years’ series questions after your revision.
5.  See your teacher to ask last-minute questions if you have them.

The Night Before Examinations

   
1. Set your ALARM clock before going to sleep!
 
2. Prepare your examination materials, especially calculators, drawing equipment, stationeries, etc.
 
3. Give yourself one final read through of the master list.
 

The Day of Examination

1. Take meals with high carbohydrates.
2. Take a good shower before you go to school.
3. Do a final read up of your master lists.

Resources:

• Steven Frank, The Everything Study Book (1996), F + W Publications.
• www.testbooksonline.com/study_skills.htm