By Hadil Izrafil | Staff Writer

Exams, as pivotal milestones in academic journeys, bring forth a range of emotions, mainly stress and anxiety. This intense examination period often serves as a test for students, evaluating their knowledge and their capacity to handle pressure. While it is undeniable that exams can be a significant source of stress, it is essential to acknowledge that not all stress is detrimental. In fact, within the realm of academic pursuits, stress can play a multifaceted role, acting as both a motivator and a catalyst for personal development. Despite its negative connotations, stress during exams can be redefined as a constructive force, propelling students towards improved focus, heightened resilience, and, ultimately, academic excellence.

To start with, stress can enhance focus and alertness. “Good stress” can be exemplified by nervousness before taking an exam, and this type leads to better performance rather than a bad outcome. Experiencing good stress can help protect against depression, anxiety, fatigue, high blood pressure, and concentration difficulty (Fleming, 2022). As a result, students often find themselves more centered and alert during exams, able to block out distractions and concentrate solely on the task at hand.  

Furthermore, moderate levels of stress can motivate a person to work harder. When faced with a deadline, stress pushes people to focus and focus more on completing their work (Selna, 2018).  Fear of failure can be a potent force, driving students to adopt effective study habits and engage in rigorous exam preparation. From late-night study sessions to collaborative group study meets, the pressure of exams often spurs students to go above and beyond in their quest for academic success. When experiencing moderate levels of stress, known as acute stress, the body undergoes a fight-and-flight response that can be helpful, making the person effectively cope with the overwhelming situation (Cherry, 2022).

Another benefit of this stress is performance improvement. Popular beliefs show that stress can affect our performance, but contrary to such claims, a certain stress level can enhance performance. As stated previously, when dealing with a stressful situation, the body releases hormones that stimulate the birth of new neuronal cells in the hippocampus that support overall brain health (Dimitriu, 2023). When harnessed effectively, exam stress can catalyze peak performance, enabling students to achieve their full potential and excel academically. Moreover, beyond the immediate academic arena, the ability to manage and thrive under stress promotes life skills that extend into professional and personal realms. Learning to leverage exam stress for performance enhancement improves academic success and equips individuals with the resilience and adaptability needed to thrive in the future.

Additionally, exam stress allows students to build resilience and stamina. Besides being overwhelming, stress helps develop problem-solving skills and build confidence, which are crucial for future experiences. Equipped with more resilience and confidence, students can fight potential threats to their attention span and be more in control of their academic situations (Selna, 2018). In the face of academic pressure, students learn to adapt to challenging situations, persevere in adversity, and bounce back from setbacks. These experiences not only prepare students to navigate the ups and downs of college life but also equip them with valuable life skills that will serve them well beyond the confines of the classroom. 

Finally, stress adds meaning to life, for a life devoid of stress and the lessons it ensures isn’t a well-lived life. Feeling and passing through stress will give one’s result value and allow them to take pride in themselves for what s/he passed through. Most things we are proud of were not easily attained, and if we remove their stress factor, their meaning will also be taken away. So, as a result, stress is a crucial part of our lives, and since we can’t eliminate it, we should learn how to manage it. People should develop healthy coping strategies, and they are of a wide range. From meditation to time management techniques and maintaining a healthy balance between study and self-care activities, students can navigate this stress successfully.

In conclusion, while exam stress may seem daunting initially, it is essential to recognize its advantages, from enhancing focus and motivation to building resilience and improving performance. Moderate stress levels can yield positive outcomes, and by embracing the positive aspects of exam stress and learning how to manage them effectively, students can focus on the bright side to fuel their academic success and personal growth.

References

Dimitriu, A. (2023). Why Some Experts Believe Stress Can Aid Performance: A little anxiety from time to time can be beneficial for task performance. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/psychiatry-and-sleep/202301/can-stress-aid-performance-some-experts-say-yes#:~:text=The%20Yerkes-Dodson%20law%20states%20that%20anxiety%20improves%20performance,and%20mental%20toughness%20are%20optimal%20for%20top%20performance

Fleming, L. (2022). How the Lesser Known “Good Stress” Improves Brain Function. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/good-stress-helps-brain-functioning-6501161#:~:text=Good%20stress%20can%20be%20something%20like%20being%20nervous,alertness%2C%20lead%20to%20better%20performance%2C%20even%20sharpen%20memory

Cherry, K. (2022). What is the Fight-or-Flight response? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-fight-or-flight-response-2795194#:~:text=The%20fight-or-flight%20response%2C%20also%20known%20as%20the%20acute,a%20threat%20or%20to%20run%20away%20to%20safety

Selna, E. (2018). How Some Stress Can Actually Be Good for You. TIME. https://time.com/5434826/stress-good-health/