Opinion

Remember your health is your wealth where exam stress is concerned

Exam stress can make for difficult times for students
Exam stress can make for difficult times for students Exam stress can make for difficult times for students

THE sun has been shining and the temperatures have been soaring and summer is well and truly on the horizon, which means it's exam time.

I think everyone will agree that you can pretty much predict a wonderful heatwave around this time of year, just as students everywhere are packing gyms and assembly halls to undertake exams.

Despite the sun however, it can be a pretty dismal time of year for those who are about to sit down and open those all important test papers as stress and worry mount and a good night's sleep and healthy eating become distant memories.

When I think back, I still feel nauseous where exams are concerned.

Whether it was GCSEs, A-levels or Finals, they are periods that sit under dark and worrisome clouds.

I remember feeling like I was in a bubble, outside life stopped and exams and studying were all that mattered - I felt like my whole life depended on them.

Of course, they are soon forgotten and I've only been thinking about them this week because when I was in a shop the other day, I heard a young girl telling her friend that she had been up all night studying. She said she was really feeling stressed and had only had coffee to keep her going.

Revealing that she was feeling exhausted, she then said something that sounded very familiar - that she was scared of letting her parents down.

I was immediately transported back to the rear garden at my parents' house and I could see myself walking around and around and around reciting facts and figures and statements and paragraphs over and over and over again.

I did this for both my A-levels and my Finals and I know how hard I pushed myself because I didn't want to let anyone down.

In fact, two weeks before my Finals, I remember crawling into bed one night totally wiped out after studying relentlessly.

At some point during the night, I was jolted awake and found myself completely paralysed. I couldn't move and I couldn't speak. It was very scary.

I was immediately panicked and began thrusting around, trying to move, trying to shout.

Thank goodness, my mum heard the commotion and came running into my room. I remember she shouted to my dad to call an ambulance and I was taken to the A&E at the City Hospital.

I had taken a severe hypo, due to my Type 1 Insulin-Dependent Diabetes and in fact, the doctor told me I had been very lucky.

He spoke to me about my upcoming Finals and the stress I was feeling.

He told me this had all contributed to the hypo, that my body was not being looked after, was under too much pressure and had started to shut down.

Looking back, I had put myself under tremendous pressure and while I accept that exams and qualifications are seriously important, they are not worth your health and well-being.

I really wished I had been able to say this to the girl I had seen in the shop because she looked seriously run down.

So, I'll say it now.

If you are about to sit exams these coming weeks, take a minute to remember that while results are important, they are not the be-all-and-end-all.

Exams can be re-sat but we only have one chance at life and living it and enjoying it and really, without our health, what chance do we have?

So, if you're about to enter that intimidating exam hall or about to hand in that all-important dissertation, take a deep breath and remember, your life will not be determined by this one exam or in this one moment.

If you're feeling under pressure, it's important you talk to someone. You are not alone. Your family and friends love you and want what's best for you and will support you no matter what and you will never disappoint them.

They want you healthy and happy.

Remember, it is true what they say, you're health really is your wealth.

Good luck.

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What's Hot?

Gig - Former Westlife star, Shane Filan is bringing his `Love Always' tour to Belfast in October. The 37-year-old will perform at the Waterfront Hall on October 22. Tickets on sale today.

Drama - Jessie Wallace and Shane Ritchie return to our screens on Sunday in Redwater on RTE One. The drama follows the popular EastEnders couple as they search for Kat's long-lost son in the fictional Irish village of Redwater. Could be good.

Hunk - Poldark actor, Aidan Turner has hinted he may be stripping off again in the third series of the show. The 33-year-old sent pulses racing with his topless scenes in the first series. Female fans will be rejoicing.

So Not!

Quitting - Professional dancer, Natalie Lowe has quit the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing after seven years. The 36-year-old said she had made the decision with a "heavy heart". It's a shame, I really liked her.

Apology - Jurassic World star, Chris Pratt has been forced to apologise to the hearing impaired community after he made "incredibly insensitive" comments about the use of subtitles.

Offer- Former X-Factor contestant, Honey G has reportedly been offered £50,000 to appear on Dancing with the Stars, which is making a comeback after three years. I am not a fan of this `rapper' and would not be tuning in to watch her on this.

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Competition

The winners of the Dalriada Competition are Joanne Trainor, from Downpatrick and Linda McGookin, from Carrickfergus

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Easy Peasy Recipe

This week’s Easy Peasy Recipe is Thai Red Chicken Curry

You will need:

2 tspns olive oil

450g chicken breast fillets, cut into strips

1 tbsp Thai red curry paste

1 courgette, sliced

1 red pepper, sliced

1 carrot, sliced

1 red onion, then sliced

400g coconut milk

1 tbsp cornflour

2 tbsps chopped coriander

To Make:

In a pan, heat the olive oil.

Add the chicken pieces and stir for around four minutes.

Add the curry paste, courgette, pepper, carrot and onion and stir for around four minutes.

In a bowl, whisk together the coconut milk and cornflour and then add to chicken mixture.

Bring the mixure to the boil and then reduce heat and allow to simmer.

Stir in the coriander before serving.

Do you have an Easy Peasy recipe you would like to share?

Are you the queen of quiches, magnificent at muffins or can you turn out some nice scones?

If so, then we want to hear from you.

You can send your name, address, contact number and recipe (plus photo if possible) to:

Easy Peasy Recipes,

Marie Louise McConville,

Irish News

113-117 Donegall Street,

Belfast,

BT1 2GE

or

m.mcconville@irishnews.com