Stress management during exams to maximize output

Dr. Sann Lin ko,
Lecturer, Department of Anatomy,
Defense Services Medical Academy, Myanmar

Stress in exams

Stress produces definable mental and physiological reactions in the body. Mild stress is beneficial in cognitive tasks and performance but persistently high stress may lead to neuropsychiatric illnesses like anxiety and depression.¹ Exam stress is a common predicament faced by medical students of all age groups, specialities and cultures. The prevalence of emotional disorders among medical students is high. There is a significant associations between emotional disorders and level of pressure before the exam.² Previous research indicates that stress can diminish academic achievement, decrease motivation and increase the risk of being a dropout.³