As exam loom (it’s two weeks away, to be precise) the stress and anxiety that comes with writing exam become a reality for many students.
Anxiety refers to a state of being, excessively uneasy with a concern about the future and is a vague, undefined tense feeling of dread that one experiences and is difficult to control. To be stressed means that you are under mental or physical strain. Stress and anxiety are both linked to tension, which is the result of mental strain or excitement.
Although there may be little one can do to alleviate stress, there are a number of ways to alleviate and manage its effects. For the purposes of the exam period, the Flame has outlined a number of things that will help you cope with the exams.

Before you begin every study session, take a few minutes to gain perspective on what your studies are about, and recall your reasons for studying. Remind yourself that the exam, in terms of the time that you spend in the exam hall, makes up only a small component of your study experience. Manage your time well: as soon as you receive your timetable, prepare a study schedule, taking into account the number of hours that will be spent on each subject. Allot more time for the modules that you find difficult, and those that have more work. Be disciplined and stick to the timetable religiously, and ensure that you allow time for social interaction with family and friends.

In terms of organising your work, have a file or folder for each module, and make notes or mind maps that outline the concepts covered. Include all information that your lecturer mentioned as important, and cross-reference to pages in textbooks where necessary. If possible, contact your fellow students for peer support, and also contact your lecturers if you are unsure about aspects of your study material.

One way of setting up your revision timetable is by counting all the pages in your study guide and textbook and then dividing this number by the number of days remaining before you write the paper. This gives you an idea of how many pages per day you have to work through. Review your work so that you pick up the key words and phrases of all the study units and chapters.

Make sure that you know in which format questions will be presented:
multiple-choice questions and/or essay-type questions. Set and answer your own questions; turn headings and study objectives into questions.
Write a mock exam; get practice in working against time and without referring to tutorial material. In problem solving subjects like Mathematics, Computer Science and Chemistry, you must solve problems from all sections of the work. Practice exercises from the difficult sections.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember when studying is to take frequent breaks. Study for an hour and then take a 5 to 10 minute break. Ensure that you eat a balanced diet, drink enough water and fluids, and exercise. This will help your body absorb nutrients, aid blood circulation, and is another way to relieve stress.

Make sure that you get enough sleep during the study process and during the exams themselves. The average student needs around 9 hours of sleep per night. Although it may be tempting to sleep less in order to cover more work, this is actually detrimental to you, a rested brain is more likely to retain information. 

In terms of writing the actual exam, ensure that you know on which day and time you write a specific paper.
a specific paper. Be on time. Do not study new materials just before you enter the hall; you may end up confusing yourself. Make sure that you have your student ID card. Pay attention to the exam rules and instructions. Be positive about the work you have covered and your ability to recall the information. Take a deep breath and relax.

After you receive your exam paper, take some time to read the instructions carefully, and check if all questions are compulsory. Plan your time. In an essay-type exam, read all the questions, and decide which ones you will answer and mark them. Answer the question you know the best first and analyse the questions by underlining the key words. Ensure that you know when to start and stop with each answer. Answer all required questions.  Ensure that you mark clearly in your answer booklet which questions you have answered. Make sure that you know how much time to spend on each question and stick to it.

 
"The world can never be considered educated until we spend as much on books as we do on chewing gum."   Elbert Hubbard

Information sourced from the University of South Africa (UNISA) Bureau for Student Counseling and Career Development hand book.