Teentalk

Dear Teentalker,

You seem to be under immense academic pressure to perform and I understand how challenging that can be.The constant overthinking has led you to lose your appetite and depleted your energy levels. I know studies can be very stressful. It’s how we tackle the stress that sets us on track. We need to work on your stress management skills to quip you with better study skills. We need to begin by identifying the stressors and making the workload manageable for you.

Let’s break this process:

Identification of stressors

A) Social Stressors – Peer pressure, imbalance in academic and social life, new environment

B) Academic Stressors – Deadlines, challenging subjects, dropping grades, exam pressure

The two concepts at play here are memory and learning. We access what we learn from our memory through three processes i)Recall ii)Recognition and iii)Relearning. In order for you to be able to recall something, it first needs to be retained in your memory. It seems your anxiety is preventing you from committing something to memory. Or you do not relate it to the manner in which the information is presented to you (Maybe you are a visual learner and need flashcards not notes).

Pointers for Effective Time Management and Study skills

• Planning and prioritizing your subjects. If Math and Physics are the subjects that require more out of you then you need to set aside special slots for them. Both are subjects that require practice. Make a time table and put reminders.
• Set specific goals and subgoals: Take one step at a time to achieve them. Take up smaller chunks and complete it and move to the next one which will give you a sense of control.
• Break and grade the task: This will help you structure and organize yourself
• Find your prime time and location: Where and when do you think you can focus most. Finding the most productive part of the day which works for you is the key.
• Keep your phone away: For the time you’re studying, keep the phone on silent to avoid distractions.
• Take your time: Never underestimate or overestimate the time taken to actually complete a task.
• Time your breaks: Taking breaks helps assimilate the matter you are learning.

Pointers for Stress Management

• Try to relax by taking deep breaths, check our section on mindfulness.
• Take up an activity you enjoy and love
• Exercise and get some fresh air
• Spend time with supportive friends and family
• Stop procrastinating- Get that dreaded task done first so it’s out of the way.

Do remember that you are not a failure, and your grades are certainly not what you are made of. Take one day at a time. Stay positive and even if you have failed in a subject find ways to improve and get better at it. The way you talk to yourself is an essential element in developing a positive self concept.

Hope this helps, if you have any other query do connect online for chat between 11am-8pm or drop us an offline message.

Regards,

Expert Teentalk India