Medical Advice for Preparing for University Entrance Exams: "Overexertion Can Lead to Anxiety"

Less than a week remains for over 8,200 students in the province of Alicante to face a crucial academic test for their future. The university entrance exams begin next Tuesday, June 3, and will continue until Thursday; three days of intense pressure that could emotionally affect many.

To prevent this, mental health professionals have issued a series of tips to approach the days leading up to the exam with confidence. "Responsibility is important, but if we demand too much of ourselves, it can become negative, potentially causing anxiety symptoms," warns Marisa Escribano, a psychologist at the Child-Adolescent Mental Health Unit (USMIA) of the Vinalopó Health Department.

Both she and her colleague from the unit, Marta Marcos, emphasize the importance of good study planning to reduce exam-related anxiety.

The experts list a series of basic tips such as setting a realistic schedule, using study techniques like outlines, maintaining a good sleep routine, engaging in regular physical activity, and incorporating daily self-dialogue exercises to assess how we feel.

They explain that these self-dialogue exercises promote emotional self-regulation, which can be achieved through practices like mindful breathing and muscle relaxation. "In moments of anxiety, it is crucial to actively seek this self-regulation, avoiding isolation or excessive self-demand, thus promoting a healthier emotional balance," they explain.

Finally, psychologist Marta Marco highlights that "students must believe in the work they have done and recognize the value of the process, beyond the final result." She emphasizes that having family support and maintaining a flexible attitude towards academic results allows for a more serene and emotionally balanced approach to this period.

Specialists remind that experiencing a certain degree of nervousness is natural, but when anxiety becomes excessive and starts to interfere with well-being, it is advisable to seek professional support. A specialist can provide useful tools to manage these situations healthily and prevent them from becoming chronic.