Exams are critical for every student and create stress to most students. All those desiring to score high, as well as weaker students wishing to pass the exams encounter stress. Stress is present due to your aim. It is upto you whether you will let it enhance your performance or cause your breakdown.

A few common causes of stress before exams are:
- High peer competition
- Lesser planning and preparation
- Lesser confidence and motivation
- High expectations from others

We enlist the following steps to follow to handle exam stress effectively and emerge as a winner.

1. Plan your study time wisely
Just imagine appearing for the exams and finding that you skipped the main chapter that formed an important chunk of the exam paper or else you referred to the theory but did not practice sufficient problems. A good way to tackle stress is by doing the most important things required so that you are able to score better or at least pass.

2. Take an isolated walk
A quick walk after a heavy dose of studies can be a real mind booster. In fact, this technique is even followed by software programming experts to discover new lines of code in leading companies. A short and isolated walk will rejuvenate you to go all out for forthcoming study sessions.

3. Get sufficient sleep
A good sleep is known to enhance concentration and helps students assimilate information on the day of the test. Further, you can study better the next day after a good sleep.

4. Remove all distractions
Do not log into Whatsapp, Facebook and Instagram. This will be a source of wastage of time. Keep all these at bay especially a few days prior to exams.

5. Meditate
Spending some time to meditate daily can reduce stress drastically and enhance overall study performance. Your mind gets refreshed which enables you to study longer and at a rapid pace.

6. Eat Dark Chocolate
Experts have found that eating dark chocolate with more than 70% cocoa is excellent in fighting cortisol, the stress hormone and relaxes the body. Also, chocolate contains the regular stress fighter endorphins.

7. Talk and unplug
You may talk to a few close people and friends and just unplug yourself. This will remove all the unwanted thought clutter and excel your study performance.

8. Stay hydrated
Drink sufficient amount of water daily so that your body remains hydrated and cool. Water cools down the body and helps to remove excess toxins from the body.