THE IMPACT OF STRESS IN TEENS DURING EXAM PREPARATION AND PERFORMANCE

Stress and Anxiety are and have a significant impact on the preparation and performance of teenagers during exams. It can negatively affect their concentration, memory, and overall cognitive function, which can ultimately affect their academic performance.

One of the most significant impacts of stress on students is its effect on mental health. Stress can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, which can affect students' academic performance and personal well-being. When students are stressed, they may struggle to focus, retain information, and perform to the best of their abilities on exams and assignments. This can lead to feelings of frustration, disappointment, and low self-esteem, which can further exacerbate stress levels.

It is very important for a student to have good mental and physical health in order to be able to thrive in their academic life. Healthy people are able to focus on their work and remember better and even perform better while appearing for the examination.

Stress has a lot of ill effects in a student's life. It is the root cause of procrastination in studies as when students are stressed they tend to put off their work up until the last minute, causing them to have to cram all of the material into their brain in a very short period of time which gives them another reason to stress about as they now also have to worry of they will be able to finish their work in time for their exam. Thus students must learn to manage their time properly in order to avoid procrastination and also reduce their stress levels.

Stress and anxiety also tend to mess up one’s sleep cycles which has a significant impact on one’s exam performance. Sleep deprivation can impair cognitive function, memory, and concentration, making it difficult for teens to focus during exams and recall information they have learned.

Stress can also lead to anxiety disorders which have various physical symptoms as well, such as increased heartbeat, shaking, headache, stomach ache, sweating and shortness of breath. These can have a negative effect on our exam performance as it can cause us to lose focus and also forget what we had studied during the exam. Anxiety can also cause negative thoughts and self-doubt, which can further impair exam performance.

Stress can also affect performance on exams. When teens are stressed, they may feel overwhelmed and experience a heightened sense of pressure to do well. This can lead to test anxiety, which can cause them to freeze up or forget what they have studied when taking an exam. This can lead to poor performance and feelings of disappointment and frustration.

We must learn to manage our stress during exams. To manage stress during exam preparation and performance, there are several strategies that teens can use. First, it's essential to take breaks regularly during study sessions to avoid burnout. This can involve taking a short walk, listening to music, or doing another relaxing activity that can help to reduce stress. Teens can also try practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation, to manage stress during exam periods. Another useful strategy is to plan ahead and organize study schedules. Breaking down study materials into manageable chunks can help teens to feel less overwhelmed and better prepared for exams. They can also create study groups with friends or classmates, which can provide social support and a sense of community during the exam period.

It is also essential to prioritize self-care, such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in physical activity regularly. These activities can help to reduce stress levels, improve mood, and increase overall well-being

Time management is another important practice that one must inculcate in their lives in order to reduce stress and also do well during their examinations and they can to so by creating a proper schedule for themselves and studying from the start instead of trying to cram all of their work in a short period of time as that would cause us to retain even less knowledge than we would have 

In conclusion we can say that exam stress is something that almost all students go through and it can have a lot of ill effects in our academic life but we must learn to manage it and there are various ways to do so such preparing early on instead of procrastinating and waiting till the last minute, taking breaks in the middle of studying to prevent ourselves from burning out, having a healthy diet and having a good sleep cycle that would help our brain function better, practicing Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help to reduce stress levels. Practice these techniques regularly, and use them before and after studying to help you to stay calm and focused. And seeking external help if required.

By VIDITA KOTHARI