14 replies to this topic

[madisongrace]

Every time i have exams or tests, my body malfunctions and my immune system decides to have a break and i get the flu/ cold/ sore throat etc,
My mum says its completely stress related, which makes sense but I was just curious if this happens to anyone else and if you have any special way of dealing with it.
I hate having to deal with an illness when i should be studying, but I put my health over my education.

My goal is to avoid being sick throughout May, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[Procrastination]

Well, If I was you I'd go and seek some medical revision? Ask a doctor and comment on your situation. Perhaps he'll give you some medicines. Anyways, try not to stress so much, even if that means you'l not study as much, doing an exam with the flu doesn't help you at all

PS: Next time, one thread is enough

Edited by Procrastination, Jan 10, 2012 - 19:34.

[U Mirin' Braahhhh?]

Lol Madison, I think it has more to do with the fact that you overload yourself with study hours during exams period, right? that's why you probably why you get ill

try to have a more balanced and fair timetable that helps a lot. And exercise oh and maybe talking to me helps ahahhahahaha

[ShootingStars]

If it is stress you need to find ways to assure yourself that there is no reason to stress and that you'll do well. I had a friend with a similar problem and stress was indeed the cause for her. She eventually outgrew it but I know she used to just try to think positively, take lots of breaks and not overdo it  and listen to music to help herself relax.
If it is stress, it is a "mind" thing, and you can't forget that you have control over your mind!

[Award Winning Boss]

Tell your exams officer before hand... if it is an actual condition. If it's just the common cold then get an early nights sleep

[ellie94]

Stress has been proven to affect your immune system, so try to take regular breaks and don't overload yourself with things to do. Planning your time and working out exactly what you have to do and when it needs to be done makes it easier for you to prioritise, and might make you feel better. Hope this helps

[U Mirin' Braahhhh?]

elliewhitt, on Jan 10, 2012 - 19:38, said:

Stress has been proven to affect your immune system, so try to take regular breaks and don't overload yourself with things to do. Planning your time and working out exactly what you have to do and when it needs to be done makes it easier for you to prioritise, and might make you feel better. Hope this helps

Judging by your EE topic you might know a "little" more, no? haha

Edited by I Think I'm Cool, Jan 10, 2012 - 19:41.

[ellie94]

I Think I, on Jan 10, 2012 - 19:40, said:

elliewhitt, on Jan 10, 2012 - 19:38, said:

Stress has been proven to affect your immune system, so try to take regular breaks and don't overload yourself with things to do. Planning your time and working out exactly what you have to do and when it needs to be done makes it easier for you to prioritise, and might make you feel better. Hope this helps

Judging by your EE topic you might know a "little" more, no? haha

haha, yeah just a bit!!

[U Mirin' Braahhhh?]

ellie94, on Jan 10, 2012 - 19:42, said:

I Think I, on Jan 10, 2012 - 19:40, said:

elliewhitt, on Jan 10, 2012 - 19:38, said:

Stress has been proven to affect your immune system, so try to take regular breaks and don't overload yourself with things to do. Planning your time and working out exactly what you have to do and when it needs to be done makes it easier for you to prioritise, and might make you feel better. Hope this helps

Judging by your EE topic you might know a "little" more, no? haha

haha, yeah just a bit!!

lol so humble of you hahahaha you show off a bit, that way we can be sure about stress effects

[Mozz]

I used to be extremely stressed when exams came around - my best bet was to concentrate on my breathing before (and during if neccessary) the exam and having a good nights sleep. A tip for relaxing in bed is crossing one leg over the other and crossing my arms and holding hands; what you do then is imagine your stress as a liquid, and slowly release it from each part of your body starting from your feet, legs, waist etc until you get to your head. That's just one way I've been shown and it's helped for me, so I hope it helps you!

[MattO]

I would say stress has alot to do with it, do you perhaps have a worse diet closer to exam time than you would normally, only suggestion I can think of at the moment

[flinquinnster]

Wow, sounds pretty bad. I tend to not stress out just before exams, but slowly smoulder in the months before (okay, that was exaggeration). What I mean is that I don't really feel acute stress because of exams. But as it seems quite serious, I think it would also be a good idea to inform the mystical IB authorities. For me, when I feel stressed or highly negative, I like to:

1. Breathe
2. Go outside for some fresh air
3. Not think about the stress (which is hard, but I do that by reading/watching TV etc.)

[chrypton]

Totally used to happen to me too, not anymore though. Hopefully it's temporary and will leave you alone

[kiwi.at.heart]

I was pretty much the same as you, for about 2 years every exam block I was always the first to get sick and no matter how hard I tried I would always spread around to everyone. It wasn't too bad, until the day before my IOC where i tried every single possible way  to get my voice back, which thankfully somehow worked. Then my final mocks came around and the first time ever I wasn't sick. I think my friends were more relieved than I was. And then some how managed to to stay healthy for my real exam, at least until they were over, then i fell.

I wish I had a suggestion to help, since I went through it too, but unfortunately I don't. I never thought I stress too bad but obviously it was enough. Maybe you will be lucky and catch a break like I did, but otherwise maybe go to a doctor as soon a you see signs you are getting sick again. They might be able to give you something to overcome it quicker. And then just hope it happens over a quiet part of your three week exam block, since it cant hang around the whole time.

[albuhay]

I have IBS so I know all about how stress can make you sick. I'm in the middle of my mocks at the moment and, thankfully, I've been able to keep it at bay so far.

I'll probably repeat some of what other people have said (sorry!) but here are some techniques that I use:

• Start studying early! If you don't leave enough time and are cramming the night before of course you're going to be stressed. Personally, I find that just looking over things the day before is best for me - just enough to kick start my memory of each topic. Then in the evening before the exam I just let myself relax and make sure that I get a good night's sleep. Another quick look over in the morning and I'm usually good to go.
  
• For you especially since it seems like it's affecting your immune system - make sure you're getting enough vitamins. Even if it means taking some kind of supplement, just make sure you're eating well and it should help to keep you healthy.
  
• It may sound stupid, but don't study to hard - you have to take breaks. Go outside, read for a bit, watch some television, anything. I tend to cuddle my dog for quick relaxation . I think the general guideline is a 15 minute break for ever hour of study? I'm not 100% sure, but just find what works for you.
  
• Fresh air and exercise are also really important. Even if it's just a 10 minute walk around the block each day, it will help.

If you're well prepared going into your exam period, you should hopefully feel better. Even so, something my mum always says to me is RELAX! Even if you don't do as well as you'd hoped, it won't be the end of the world. There are always different ways of getting where you want to be.

I hope that at least some of that helps!