That sudden slump

Board examinations are around the corner.  Students are kept busy with their study schedule by vigilant parents. Everyone believes that the career option and the future of the students depend on the result of the Board examination. This mindset leads to an unrealistic study routine. Most students follow a pattern of preparing for examinations, which does not take into consideration their individualistic learning style. This may bring on tremendous stress, either because they are not able to keep up with the gruelling routine, or realise that in spite of studying hard, they are not really learning. They are dejected, disheartened or simply slump. Many a time, even the most motivated learner experiences a slump.

Definition of a slump

So, what is a slump? A slump is an unexplained drop in the tempo of your study routine, which extends beyond the normal ups and downs. Being human, you cannot keep up the tempo of your study routine for a long period of time. You need to deal with it so that you can bounce back to the planned routine with renewed vigour and enthusiasm. In order to do so, you need a few moments to fathom why the slump happened, what its causes are, and how best you can deal with it.

Slump before examinations is one of the worst things that could happen to a student. Quite unfortunately, it happens often. The purpose of this article is to discuss ways to deal with it.

Some students spend a lot of time rehearsing material but are still not well-prepared. They are not confident of taking exams. The feeling of being inadequately prepared is the result of not being able to measure the effort put into their chosen method of studying. If you are not able to recall what you have been learning for days together, then how can you be motivated to go on? Measurement process for a student becomes a good reference point, when he says, ‘Yes, I have learnt’.

Three-phase method

A practical way to prepare for exams is to follow a three-phase method.

Pre-preparatory phase

In this phase, you are ready with the topics you will be tested on. You are aware of what questions will be asked in each area. Do a complete revision of all subjects. Some students do not have a study plan. Each morning they ask, “What should I do today?”  This will hasten the slump. Instead, plan your exam preparation on a visual chart. Make a mind map and then follow what you planned.

Maintenance phase

This phase is crucial. It helps you measure what you have learnt, thus giving you confidence. This phase involves actual application of ideas and strategies through discussions, questions and answers, and solving previous years’ question papers. When you finish studying for the day, end it with an application exercise. You will know how much you have learnt. It will reinforce your knowledge. The next day, start with an application again of what you did yesterday. Form a study group. Discuss questions with one another to understand difficult concepts better.

Peak performance phase

Everyone has a peak level; the optimum level, that is, when you are fully motivated, happens when you phase out the preparatory level. You are motivated to muster energy for the final effort. 

Slump-busting suggestions

It is a fact that slumps are frequent among students and could be dangerous for them. However, it is easy to combat slumps by following a few suggestions that can make a significant improvement in your life.

— A brief time-out. Take a day or two off to do things you want to do.

— Pursue activities that are allied, but different. Meet a friend for coffee and discuss common issues or just be by yourself. The basic idea is that you do not follow your schedule and just relax.

— Keep yourself focussed on what is important. Black out the rest.

— Develop the ability of seeing the success you so much crave for, visualise a successful outcome.

— Have tremendous faith in your ability to perform.

Possible causes

— Physical fatigue or lingering illness.

— Are you trying to adopt a different way of learning?  Maybe the change is causing the slump.

— Are there some non-academic issues? Maybe some unresolved issues are causing you to slow down.

Slump prevention

— Monitor your physical state; “listen to your body”.

— Schedule rest as part of your routine.

— Eat nutritious meals.

— Study what is relevant.

— Build a resiliency plan to combat negative thoughts.

— Introspect, may be unknowingly you are contributing to the slump. Get the focus back on the goal.

Preparing for Board examinations is hard, stressful, and slump is serious. But it is surprising how often the suggestions described can get you on course. Parents need to take note of why slump happens and help their wards in taking the much-needed break to overcome it, instead of mercilessly driving them to a punishing routine.