How To Manage Stress Better On Your Own (Advice From A Senior)

Examinations play a salient role in our schooling years, and its no surprise that feelings of anxiety and stress often accompany them. Managing these emotions can be difficult, especially when you're doing it on your own.

While I'm by no means an expert, these methods helped me put things into perspective and stay (mostly) composed when studying for my A-Levels and later, when reflecting on how I performed. Without further ado, here are some tips that helped alleviate my stress through my O and A-Levels!

These are reflections and everyday suggestions, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Seek appropriate support when difficulties persist or affect daily life.

1. Understand the Dichotomy of Control

Some things are within our power, while others are not. Within our power are opinion, motivation, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever is of our own doing; not within our power are our body, our property, reputation, office, and, in a word, whatever is not of our own doing.

Epictetus, ancient Greek philosopher The dichotomy of control stems from the practice of Stoicism, which teaches that some things are within our control and some are not. The Stoics believed that everything in the universe operates through a web of cause and effect, forming a rational structure they called logos. To manage stress effectively, its crucial to understand what you can and cannot control.

Key Takeaways:

You can't always control external events, but you can control your response to them.
The outcome of a situation often depends on how you choose to act or think about it.
Recognising this distinction helps you focus on what's within your influence and accept the rest for what it is. Things happen sometimes for better, sometimes for worse but your reaction is what truly matters. By focusing on what's within your circle of control, you can find peace knowing you've done your best, and that's all anyone can ask of you.

2. Reflect on Your Past Achievements

When stress hits, its easy to belittle yourself and forget your past accomplishments. We often get caught up in chasing the next goal, overlooking how far weve already come which can lead to a constant sense of inadequacy. I've felt this way too, especially when comparing myself to others successes. Over time, I learned that its important to be proud of what weve achieved, rather than fixate on what we havent.

Its normal to feel like a small fish in a big pond, but that doesn't mean your growth isn't meaningful. So, the next time you feel overwhelmed:

Take a few moments to reflect on your progress.
Remind yourself of past challenges you've overcome.
Have faith that you'll make it through this one too. After all, its a bad day, not a bad life.

3. Acknowledge Your Emotions

If you're feeling overwhelmed by heavy workloads or endless revision, remember your feelings of stress, inadequacy, or frustration are completely normal. When I was in JC, I often ignored these emotions and pushed through my work. But in the long run, that only led to burnout and loss of motivation before A-Levels. Instead of suppressing your emotions, take a step back and acknowledge them.

Try This:

Go for a walk in the park or a short stroll around the mall.
Have a meal with family or friends.
Do something light and enjoyable to clear your head. More often than not, you'll realise that things aren't as bad as they seem once you've taken a breather.

Conclusion

I hope these tips help you in some way! Its undeniable that with so much going on, its easy to feel defeated or inadequate. But that doesn't erase your past achievements or the progress you've made.

If you need more support, speak with a trusted adult or school counsellor. Our student mental-health support guide lists current Singapore support options.