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3.3 Exam stress

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1 How to cope with exam stress

Read the tips for dealing with exam stress. Which do you usually follow? Think about two more tips that you could recommend to other students.










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2 Listening

Listen to two students, Jose Luis and Lorna, talking about exam stress. Read the tips and choose if they are mentioned or not mentioned.

LORNA: Hi, Jose Luis. How are you? Are you coming out with us tonight?

JOSE LUIS: Hi, I'm OK, but I can't go out with you guys, I'm revising for exams. I have to learn the German verb tenses by tomorrow.

LORNA: Jose Luis, but the exams don't start until next week, and it's only Monday.

JOSE LUIS: I know that, but I always get really anxious about exams. If I don't study every night, I'll get stressed.

LORNA: There's nothing to worry about, you always get good marks in class.

JOSE LUIS: I know, but the class work is different from exams. In exams, I always panic and I really want to get good grades in my A levels so I can get into a good university.

LORNA: My first advice to you is to relax because you'll get ill if you continue like this.

JOSE LUIS: But what can I do to stop myself from panicking?

LORNA: First you need a good revision timetable to reduce the stress of not having enough time. You will see that you have plenty of time to revise everything.

JOSE LUIS: Hm, that's a good idea, I could do that.

LORNA: Another good thing for you would be to try studying in a group.

JOSE LUIS: In a group? I don't think so, I think that I work better when I'm alone.

LORNA: Well, you don't have to if you don't feel good in a group, but you should try to stay positive. Before my exams, I always imagine that I know everything and that I'll pass with flying colours.

JOSE LUIS: Well, I'm not very confident and I am rarely positive, but I could try this, it sounds promising.

LORNA: And you should take breaks, not study all the time, you should go out and relax, spend time with friends or go dancing. We are taking you with us tonight!

JOSE LUIS: You are? Fine, but I'll hold you responsible if I fail my exams.

1 Write your revision schedule - TRY NOT TO FALL BEHIND!

2 Always get plenty of sleep, you need energy for studying.

3 Try studying in a group.

4 Take regular breaks, go out in the fresh air, listen to music or do something else that relaxes you.

5 Stay positive - you can do it if you do your best! .

3 Reading

Read a text in which two students from different countries talk about their exams and exam preparations. Choose the correct answer for the sentences below.

I always do a lot of revising for my exams and throughout the years I have learned to cope with the stress and the pressure. In France, we have to pass the Baccalauréat exam after we finish secondary school and it serves as admittance to universities. I had to study a lot in a short period of time, so here are some of my suggestions for other students.

1. Lots of people will tell you this because it's true - exams aren't everything. Whatever happens in your exams, you can still be successful in life afterwards. So if you don't do as well as you'd hoped, try to keep things in perspective.
2. Break your revision down into small chunks, and form a plan. Once you've got a plan, you won't have any more dilemmas at the start of the day about what to work on.

3. Eat well. Keep a good blood sugar level to avoid highs and lows of energy, by eating slow-release foods like bread, rice, pasta, fruit and veg.
Since Israel’s populace is well educated and Israeli society highly values education, my parents have always supported me to do well in school and I have spent hours and hours preparing for my matriculation exams, known as Bagrut in my country. Here are some of the things that helped me to do well and to survive the stress.

1. Always think about when and where you work best. Not everyone is a morning person, and some people don’t find the library a productive place to work at. There's no one best place or time to work - it's about what works for you.
2. Keep active. Even a short walk will do. Exercising is one of the quickest and most effective ways to de-stress. Fresh air will clear your head and perk you up. Short walks to the beach, as in my case, or enjoying the sunny weather, can do wonders for your motivation as well as for your body and mind.

3. If you're feeling really worried or anxious, chat to a good friend, family member, or tutor. It helps to get it out of your system, and they may well be able to help think about practical strategies to deal with exam stress.

1 In France, students pass the Baccalauréat exam to finish secondary school.

2 If you don't do well, you be successful in life.

3 slow-release food to keep a good blood sugar level.

4 Israeli society education.

5 a best place or time to work while preparing for exams.

4 Fill in the table

Fill in the table with the adjectives from the text. Put them in the right place (positive, comparative or superlative) and then write the other two forms which are missing. The first one is done for you.

Positive short
Comparative shorter
Superlative the shortest
Positive successful
Comparative
Superlative
Positive small
Comparative
Superlative
Positive good
Comparative
Superlative
Positive
Comparative
Superlative the quickest
Positive
Comparative
Superlative the most effective
Positive sunny
Comparative
Superlative

5 Choose the correct answer

Choose the correct answer for each sentence.

6 Complete the sentences

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the adjective in brackets.

7 Talk to your partner

Work in pairs and prepare 5 questions using comparative and superlative forms. Then ask one of your classmates those questions and write down her/his answers.