Spoiler – Stress is overrated: How to deal with post exam stress and why it isn’t worth it

You know the anxious pit you get in your stomach accompanied by the resigned sinking feeling that always seems to arrive after an exam? Yeah that’s the consequence of lingering self doubt, fear and worry about the outcome of the exam. This is something often triggered by a fear of failure or high expectations either from yourself or from others. Oftentimes it can manifest itself as physical symptoms too such as insomnia, nausea and headaches; all of which are not things you would like to experience on your summer holiday. 

As someone who is slowly recovering from the intense exam period of the last few months, one thing that is constantly preying on my mind is the impending doom of results day. I am constantly remembering that one maths question I couldn’t solve or that one essay answer I didn’t finish completely and I force myself into a perpetual cycle of analysing and criticising my actions and decisions in those exams which inevitably leads to a spiral, and who wants to spiral whilst their sitting on a beach in summer?

For this reason the practice of actively quashing and ignoring your post exam anxiety is something that can help to improve the quality of your summer. By reaching a state of acceptance in your abilities and actions you can rid yourself of the stress that accompanies the post exam period. This may sound like something impossible since it has been universally accepted that exam results = stress, however by doing the following things you may be able to maintain your sanity over the holidays. 

1. Stop the over analysis of questions 

Stop debating answers with friends and comparing yourself to others simply because after the exam has finished there is nothing more you can humanly do to affect your grade. Scrutinising your answers and analysing your methods after the exam makes absolutely no difference to your final mark therefore it is simply not worth stressing yourself over. The best way to put an exam behind you is to ignore it and try to forget about it by completely putting it out of your mind. In doing so, you’ll be able to relieve yourself of the burden of self doubt that so many students place upon themselves. 

2. Fixate on a personal goal 

By focusing your energy on something you would like to achieve or do such as a sporting exercise or a new skill. This can help distract yourself from the idea of exams or results which in turn can help free your brain from the constraints of post exam stress. For example personally going into my GCSE summer I have been going in daily runs in order to both exercise my body and to keep my mind off of my exam results. 

In doing these simple things for yourself you’ll be able to make the most of your summer holidays whilst also enjoying a stress free environment you create for yourself within your mind. 

Enjoy the holidays!

Author: Izabela Dhinoja