"As a student, you can take several steps yourself to prevent a build-up of stress. Stress is like an invisible load that gets heavier if you ignore it or choose not to deal with it."
Read the statements below. Does one or more of them apply to you?
- “I often worry that it will be difficult for me to take a test.”
- “I worry I will get poor grades at school.”
- “I feel very anxious even if I am well prepared for a test.”
- “I get very tense when I study for a test.”
- “I get nervous when I do not know how to solve a task at school!”
These were the questions posed to 5,825 Singaporean students in a study conducted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2017. The response was disturbing: 76% of students reported feeling extremely anxious for a test, even if they were well prepared for it, and the results overall revealed high levels of stress and distress when it comes to academic performance.
This isn’t news to any of us. Students in Singapore have been exhibiting and complaining about stress for many years. The Ministry of Education takes a serious view of it and has taken and continues to take measures to combat this issue on many levels, especially before it takes a turn for the worse.
One reason for this level of stress probably just goes back to our culture. Our predominantly Asian population retains an intense focus on the value and importance of education. Images of our grand and great grandparents spanking our ancestors and forcing them to study with candlelight over many hours comes to mind. Culturally, being only the very best at one’s educational pursuits has often been viewed as the only path to success.
Some steps you can take are:
- Pay attention to your sleep. Having regular hours of sleep is more important to your performance than studying late into the night, and being exhausted throughout the school day.
- Drink plenty of water. Water is brain juice, it helps to clear your mind and refresh your body.
- Eat your fruits and vegetables! Bubble tea and fried snacks are yummy, but don’t forget to eat your fruits and vegetables regularly, as they are crucial for your well-being and overall health.
- Communicate with a loved one about your problems, be it a family member or a good friend. Talking it out will help ease your mind and heart.
- Set realistic goals. Don’t stuff your timetable with so much work that your mind becomes too exhausted to continue.
- Have a plan! Planning out your revision will help you focus on your weaker subjects without neglecting your stronger ones.
- Believe in yourself! Write out goals and notes of encouragement to yourself and stick it up on your laptop or even your bedroom walls! (You can get friends and family to write them too, the more the merrier!)