How can i get rid of the stress?

Question

I've just graduated and i have 2 dead serious exams thursday and friday in which i have to get reeeeeeeealy good greades in order to enter the university (i want to be an architect: in the first exam, i have to take a test in descriptive geometry, the second is drawing). I realy love these things, and i've loved to draw since i was 3. I've been studying for the whole year (in my, and my teachers opinion) really hard, but i'm not sure, i'll get in. I graduated with exeptionally good grades, so, i don't think i'm stupid, but maybe i'm not smart enough for this? I'm beginning to freak out and, i'm afraid i will be so stressed out that i cannot concentrate, i cannot sleap, if i do sleep, i have nightmares. I have eating problems too, but i feel like haven will collaps if i don't get in this year.
I want to be calm, and relaxed, but without medication, please....

Answer 1

Phew! this is a lot to cope with! No wonder you are stressed, its not surprising! OK, first, ground yourself, imagine a sense of being anchored to the ground by a colour, think of your most calming colour. Breathe from your diaghragm and not from your chest. Over breathing, fast breathing, encourage panic feelings, so, just slow down, think of the colour, think the words 'I am calm' through the breaths. When you go to bed, make sure you have wound down, a bath, milky drink, calming music and that colour, take it with you and wrap yourself in it in your mind. Do not study constantly, short sessions and then stop. Last minute cramming will not help. If your eating problems are threatening to creep in, make sure that what you do eat is whorthwhile, bananas, porridge, granary bread, all fruits, seeds and nuts if you aren't allergic. You know you are not stupid, you are smart, remember, the world won't fall to pieces, and neither will you! Heaven will not collapse and neither will you. It is an hour or two, or even three out of your life, thats it. And - never look back - no point in an inquest once you've done! Set yourself free and enjoy the summer. You sound fantastically focussed, don't let the focus be on you, just use it like a tool, and when you have finished, put it down and pack it away! Good luck

Answer 2

Hey, don't worry- I know its easier said than done- but it sounds like you have things together, you want to succeed and have worked hard to do so. You should only be stressed if you didn't work, which is not the case, so keep thinking this to yourself. I often get really stressed before exams [I'm a uni student] and I have learned some deep breathing techniques. What you do is breathe in for a count of 5 quite slowly, and then do the same breathing out, it helps to allow some more air in, and to calm you a bit. I also practise yoga, and it is believe that if you lie flat on the ground without lying on anything, just a pillow under your head, it helps to 'ground' you, and helps to relieve tension. Try also not to revise on your bed or where you sleep, and don't revise an hour or two before you go to sleep. This way you won't constantly be going over things in your head which prevents you from sleeping. Do something relaxing like listening to music, having some comfort food or something like that. Also there are some relaxation cds that I find helpful, I felt a little weird at first but once I got started it really worked... I could send you one if you like, just send me an email =) Good Luck!

Answer 3

Remind yourself how hard you worked to get to this point--these are GREAT problems. Real problems, for sure, but great problems as problems go (as opposed to a serious illness, accident, tragic problems).

You feel like you will collapse if you don;t get in...fair enough. But, you won't. You are trying to get into a difficult program that will need you to develop a sense that you should expect some setbacks! All students have them, all careers come with them. You will be truly ready for the exam when you realize that the exam is not you, it doesn't define you. Remember, Michael Jordan didn't make the school team on his first try.

JFK jr took the bar 5 times. You need smarts, but you really need perserverance and tenacity!!

good luck, and watch something that makes you laugh, like America's funniest home videos, or Blazing Saddles. Keep it in perspective!!

Answer 4

I really sympathise and understand how you are getting so worked up about this. Try and think about it logically, yes you are good, you have worked really hard and deserve to succeed and you will. You have come so far already. Share your feelings with someone close who will just listen. Try to do something totally different that will occupy your mind because at the moment your exams are all you are thinking about. Your brain needs a break. I wish you every success and whatever grades you get there is always something out there for you. Just think by this time next week it will all be over. Good Luck.

Answer 5

You can only do your best, cramming now will probably not alter the result. Worrying probably will.

Go and watch a movie, focus on the plot and think it through. Leave the house for a while and focus on something different.

Even if you fail you will still be alive, there will be another chance.

Don't worry.

take some vitamins, eat every meal it is fuel for your mind.

Good luck

Answer 6

Sutak,

You are experiencing what separates the workers from the professionals - keep up the hard work, always keep pressing upward and do not accept normal as the norm. You can be a professional and be way ahead of others who do just enough to get by.

Think of your future - and remember - the thing between your ears can hold untold amounts of data - you CAN do it!

Good luck with your school.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

You need to try and forget about the exams for a while. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT YOU WILL COPE WHEN THE TIME COMES.

In the meantime do something active, like gardening, go to the gym, swimming or any activity that you enjoy - chill out. You will be surprised at how relaxing this will be.

Answer 9

If you have enough time, get someone to give you a really good massage - these are proven to bring about deep relaxation and promote sleep. Also, visit a website called meditainment.com and download for free the secret garden exercise - it makes me drift off to sleep every time!

Answer 10

Follow the general guidelilnes of the Serenity Prayer. If that does nothing for you, try taking B-complex vitamins.