23 Aug Staying Calm Under Pressure: Handling Stress In UPSC CSE Mains Exam
There is no UPSC ( Union Public Service Commission ) aspirant who has not faced the cramming pressure of the UPSC CSE Exam. UPSC CSE is well known in the country as a highly competitive exam so being under pressure before the exam is very natural. One should look for ways to stay calm even when you are battling stress in exam. There is a very famous quote by Marcus Aurelius that says, “ The nearer a man comes to a calm mind the closer he is to strength. “ With the UPSC CSE mains 2023 exam coming near, the pressure to perform well in the exam must be overwhelming. However, you must remember to stay calm under pressure as no good comes from taking stress.
Signs You Are Overtaking Stress In Exam
Before you jump into the part, ‘How to reduce stress in exam’, it is important that you learn to identify you are overstressing before the exam. The main reason why people stress is because of the fear of exam results. But one should keep in mind that being stressed about the exam constantly is not the right way to prepare, especially not for the UPSC CSE mains exam.
Though it is completely normal to feel anxious before any exam, you should stay away from these stress symptoms:
Physical symptoms
The constant fear of fear exam will eat you up. You will monitor your every second. Lose appetite and as a result of which lost weight is a possibility. Other symptoms that will follow are regular headaches, insomnia, muscle pain, etc.
Mental symptoms
Stress is not always good for you especially when you do not know how to manage it. Stress can cause severe mental issues. You will focus on the negative emotions, constantly questioning your knowledge and intelligence. As a result of this, you will have low self-confidence and you will have uncontrollable racing negative thoughts.
Emotional Stress
Because of your unhealthy mental and physical habits, it is only natural to affect you emotionally too. There will be a general sense of dread and fear of exam results regardless of your preparation. In such a case it becomes highly important to know ways how to overcome fear of exam failure. In worst-case scenarios, you might even get anxiety attacks.
Behavioral Changes
Avoidance may start to take hold, causing one to put off studying out of outright fear or even to try to block out all thoughts of the exam. Increased pacing, fidgeting excessively, or procrastination are also signs of stress.
How To Reduce Stress When Preparing For UPSC CSE Mains Exam
Stress in exams is something that no student is a stranger to. Though there are many benefits of stress – it helps you focus more on the exam, it makes us perform better in exam. Anyone who has faced success has felt stress. But there is a thin line between healthy stress and harmful stress. With the UPSC CSE knocking at the door, this feeling is only increasing. It becomes critical to know ways how to reduce stress in exam.
Also read: Mastering the Art of Answer Writing for UPSC CSE Mains Exam
Know Your Strength
Your preparation for UPSC exam is incomplete if you do not know your strength and weaknesses. All you need to do is solve test series, the more you solve this you more you will get clear about your skills and shortcomings.
This is an integral part of the preparation because knowing your strength, will allow you to concentrate on enhancing them. When you know your shortcoming, it will become easier for you to concentrate on that section and create a UPSC exam strategy to overcome them.
Remember Failure Is Just A Step Back
As you embark on your journey towards the UPSC CSE mains exam, it’s vital to embrace the understanding that failure is not the end, but a temporary setback. The fear of exam failure can be paralyzing, yet it’s important to recognize that setbacks and challenges are integral parts of any ambitious undertaking. Each experience, even if it doesn’t yield the desired outcome, contributes to your growth and learning.
Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Every unsuccessful attempt brings you closer to success, provided you maintain a resilient mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Consult Someone To Guide You
There is no denying that the UPSC exam is a scary one. You will benefit much from having someone lead you through it. The best UPSC coaching in Delhi is Plutus IAS, where students receive holistic instruction in addition to assistance with their academic work.
The teachers here are not just to assist you get better marks but also to encourage you and motivate you. Having a guide for UPSC exam becomes important because of the level of challenges it brings with itself. Having someone to guide you through it will make your journey less topsy-turvy.
Have A Realist Study Plan
A lot of the aspirants make timetables that is not realistic. Go through the UPSC syllabus and manage subjects according to your needs. Give adequate time to all subjects, especially the ones that you think will require more time to prepare. Avoid cramming and prioritize consistent, focused study sessions. The most important time is your recess time.
Do what you like doing the most that relaxes you, read a light storybook if you love reading, paint, dance, go out, listen to music, etc.
Stay Informed Not Overwhelmed
It is one of the biggest myths that the UPSC CSE exam syllabus contains everything under the sun. This is false but a lot of aspirants believe this and start stuffing their notes with information that might not come.
By doing this, you will only waste time learning that information and overwhelm yourself with exam pressure. Plutus IAS provides excellent study materials for all subjects. You will not have to look for anything else. Get your hands on these and half your battle is already won.
Also read: 5 COMMON MISTAKES ASPIRANTS MAKE IN UPSC CSE PREPARATION
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it is normal to feel stressed in an exam it is important to know how to reduce stress in exam and how to overcome its fear. With UPSC CSE Mains exam around the corner, the tension is even more so now. Though all of this is a part of the UPSC CSE mains exam preparation, you should not forget the ways to manage exam stress.
Plutus IAS is THE destination for UPSC preparation since it emphasizes confidence building in addition to simply covering the curriculum, unlike most institutes. You can also avail yourself the current affairs magazines, and test series for the best last-minute preparation.
I am a content strategist for competitive exams like, UPSC, NEET, IIT, etc. I have a strong passion for creating content, as demonstrated by my articles. Please check out my other articles; I would appreciate any feedback you may have.
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