Leaving Cert students need to stay focused...

WITH uncertainty over this year’s Leaving Cert exam adding extra mental pressure on students, it’s more important than ever to stay focused. Here are some simple tips:

1. Routine: Nothing is more important than routine when preparing for something that involves mental pressure. Every student will know by now what form of preparation works best for them. Keep this in mind and don’t deviate. This will pass.

2. Avoid gossip: There is enough going on in a student’s mind right now besides having to absorb wayward information. It’s a time of uncertainty and where there is uncertainty there is rumour. As much as it can be tempting to let a particular form of gossip validate your emotions, avoid it. Only listen to advice about the exam from trusted sources. Forget the rest.

3. Avoid burnout: Having to pull back from intensive study at a time when you had expected to be in full throttle can mess with your method of preparation. Don’t fret. See it as an opportunity to relax and ease the pace. Keep up your studies but don’t burnout. Learn and revise at a steady pace over intermittent periods rather than at an intensive pace over shorter periods.

4. Exercise: Get out and keep active. This can be challenging with team sports, gyms and running clubs all prohibited at the moment, so you’re going to have to go it alone. Exercising is great for unilateral thinking but be sure to alter your exercise routine from time to time to include someone who won’t talk about exams or studying!

5. Talk: This is vital as nothing exacerbates a problem quite like not talking about it. There is a lot on your mind right now. Those around you will know this but let them know, verbally, how you’re feeling on occasion. Talking is essential to overcoming deep thoughts and concerns. Don’t add more stress to your load by bottling things up.