8 Common Situations while Preparing DSE

  • Low Motivation
  • No Time to Study
  • Insomnia
  • Can’t Remember Anything
  • Mind Goes Blank
  • Feel Sleep
  • Ruminating Negative Thoughts
  • Distraction

Emotional Health Tips, Student Health Service, Department of Health
https://www.studenthealth.gov.hk/english/emotional_health_tips/emotional_health_tips.html

How to get motivation to study?

To clarify your thoughts
  • No matter how hard I try I don’t get better!
    • Solve the problem step-by-step.
    • Seek help from your peers in a study group, teachers or other senior students.
    • Start with a topic that you feel confident
  • I have no hope to university!
    • Less Self-doubts: Progress of revision is a personal process, just like a running race. Follow your own pace.
    • More Self-encouragement: It’s never too late to start!
More information:
Emotional Health Tips, Student Health Service, DH
https://www.studenthealth.gov.hk/english/emotional_health_tips/emotional_health_tips.html

No time to study for exams?

  • Start with the most important tasks
  • Set priorities and be more efficient
More information:

How to deal with insomnia?

  • Human is not Computer
  • Adopt Sleep Hygiene
    • Don't study in bed.
    • Do something else if you can’t sleep (No electronic screen products during these periods)
More information:

Can’t remember anything while studying, what can I do?

  • Active revision. For example, make a summary
  • Testing yourself. For example, create a list of questions relating to what you’ve just revised
  • Set short-term & medium-term goals
  • Don’t simply memorize all textbooks by rote
More information:

During exam, my mind blank. What can I do?

  • Relax! Take a deep breath
    Breathing Exercise (Chinese Only)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMEpbGW5NSU
  • Don’t force yourself to answer the questions immediately
  • Cheer yourself up with positive self-talk. “Do Your Best and Don’t Regret”
  • Remind yourself that “There is no perfect answer!” Just try your best
More information:

How to avoid sleepiness while studying?

  • “Feel Sleepy”
    • Change the current state
    • Take a nap
    • Wash Your Face
    • Go for a Stroll
  • “Inadequate Sleep”
    • Develop a good sleep schedule
    • Avoid food and beverages containing caffeine and limit those with large amounts of sugar
    • Go to bed and get up at about the same time every day, even on Study Break. This can help promote better sleep at night
More information:

How to stop negative thoughts?

  • Change “Worry” to “Solvable Problem”
    Change “I will ruin my future if I fail in this exam” to
    “How can I schedule my time to do the revision effectively?”
  • Remind yourself that “The worst thing may not happen... I may be worrying too much.”
  • If the worries cannot be changed to something that can be solved immediately, you can set up a “Worry Time” to shorten the time spent on worries in your daily life.
    Worry Time
    https://www.studenthealth.gov.hk/english/emotional_health_tips/files/infographic_emotional_health_tips_8.pdf
More information:

How to overcome distraction while studying?

  • Identify the external distractions
    • Social media updates?
    • Chit chat?
    • Texting with friends
    • Watching videos or listening to music?
  • Set clear rules and regulations
    • For example: Keep your mobile phone off before 8:00pm.
    • A concrete plan helps you meet your target
  • Boost your motivation by rewards
    • Ups and downs are expected during the DSE preparation stage
    • Let's cheer yourself up with some rewards when you meet your target

Good Luck to All DSE Students~!

More information:
Emotional Health Tips, Student Health Service, DH
https://www.studenthealth.gov.hk/english/emotional_health_tips/emotional_health_tips.html