27th October 2012 9:00
By Carys Evans
The news that the stress in the time leading up to exams can be beneficial may not come as a surprise to some. The adrenaline, and the panic that spurts people into action can of course be a great drive into getting better results. However, when not dealt with effectively, stress can have extremely damaging effects - not only on exam results, but also on a student's health. I have seen many students crumble under this stress, to the extent that they are unable to continue with their studies, or become locked into a permanent cycle of retakes, whereby each time the exams near, they are dragged once more into inescapably colossal levels of stress.
Preparation is key - although reading through one's notes the night before an exam can certainly help to place a few extra facts in the brain - one needs to have basic understanding, and a firm grasp of underlying concepts through months of preparation in order to handle this information effectively.
Furthermore, preparation through practise makes the stress of exams much less significant. If one is familiar with the format of the papers, and how long each one takes, and how much time should be spent per question, the task becomes a lot less daunting.
Tuition can certainly help with this preparation, and also help with stress problems: tutors have been through the exam process, and sharing experiences can be an excellent way of seeing how to cope with the pressure. The benefits of long-term preparation therefore not only lead to greater peace of mind - they should also be the perfect foundation for pre-exam stress to add the extra last-minute 'boost' to.