Nyssa Rutherford |
We first years know that from 4th year upwards that prelims and National 5 and things like that become the priority. However, already in the first three terms most of us have at least had 60 tests. Personally, I can struggle with all the pressure of tests. Before high school, the biggest test I had was the PIRA tests that my school gave us. Whereas now I have already completed three maths tests which all were equally as important as the other, two English tests which were just crazily hard and at least 8 French tests. When will they end?
As we are so young it can be scary and frightening as we haven’t ever had to experience it before. I can struggle with it quite badly and that is because basically it’s all new to me. I have realised that freaking out alone is not the right way to act. Everyone has to face these tests together and no matter how crazy you are being drive, don’t keep it to yourself. Stress can lead to anxiety, and in more serious cases, depression. I find it easier to talk to my best friend than my parents about these things because we are going through it together. Though, sometimes your parents are the best people to go to because they love you most. Stress is part of life, but life does not need to be stressful.
There are loads of way to help stop stress. My absolutely favourite is to run a bath, put in my favourite lush bath bomb, or my No7 bath milk, and blast Pillow Talk at least 20 times until the bath starts to go cold! But that is a personal choice, and certainly my own personal music choice. It can be as simple as taking five minutes out of study time to do a quick yoga session or, if you have more time, I love a hard-core workout. But whatever you do, make sure that you enjoy it. Relaxing is about enjoying yourself and winding down: even just for five minutes.
But most importantly, if you study non-stop and don’t take time to relax, there is more of a chance of you getting a lower score because you have studied in tense conditions. If you have a really huge test coming up, don’t leave it last minute. Maybe for a week before take 15 minutes out of your schedule and do a little bit of study. You may actually find that is better for you.
People say first years have it easy but I believe we don’t have it as easy as everybody thinks. Moving from primary to high school can be stressful, but adding lots of tests on top can equally be as stressful. We also have to deal with second years elbowing us everywhere you go; so maybe everybody has first year in the wrong category. It is definitely not as easy as everybody thinks.
