The Power of Positivity

The Power of positivity

Nasheen Wuisman explains how you can help control the pressure and stress you feel in the run-up to an exam

When you first started picturing the day when you wanted to be CGMA qualified you would have envisaged great career prospects, well-deserved financial returns, the prestige of having the letters after your name and everything else that comes with it – one day all of this will be yours!

It is, however, hard to envisage the part in the middle – the learning journey. The intensity that it can hold, and the emotions involved on that journey. As with everything that is worth it this is inevitable; the hard work of study (while also balancing everything else that life throws at us) can feel overwhelming. This can lead to selfdoubt, especially in the lead up to the exams. You can feel like there is too much to do and question whether it is even possible. It is possible –absolutely possible!

The risk

Experience has shown that CGMA candidates can experience a dip in confidence during the exam preparation period about two to three weeks before exam day. Some candidates feel a general anxiety and they decide to reschedule their exams.

Sound familiar? So what can you do? The chances are you are already studying to the max, so pushing yourself even harder just brings on the risk of burnout. Instead, have a think about how you can introduce some balance to your routine and bring back that positive energy which got you studying CIMA in the first place.

A clear mindset

No effort can completely remove the stress of studying for challenging exams. After all, the reason the CGMA designation is so prestigious is that it requires hard work and dedication to achieve. However, a positive mindset can be the difference between being able to embrace the challenge and being overwhelmed by it. Mental clarity was our thinking when we developed the positivity pack, a light-hearted resource to give you a little perspective during these intense study periods. It offers stress-busting techniques and effective sleep strategies along with book, music and film recommendations to help you stay centred when you need it most.

Investing some time in mindfulness strategies will enable your study time to be more effective. You will be more open to study and have an increased ability to absorb information and recall it.

Recharge

It sounds frivolous, but it is far from it. You really should be thinking about how you relax and switch off that ‘study mindset’ so you get the chance to recharge. Everyone is different, so how you do it is up to you. Some people like to lose themselves in music, books, shows and films. Some of these are for relaxing, others are invigorating and exciting, like uplifting music, a thrilling movie or an edgy book.

If you find that music is helpful to play while you are studying, resources like the Study with Me pomodoro video can help you improve your concentration and keep you company while you work.

De-stress

If you want to get the most out of your studies, you need to keep yourself healthy and manage your cortisol levels. Regular exercise is great for this – it does not need to be a huge lifestyle change. It is about simple things like taking a brisk walk away from your books and screens, breathing in that fresh air, feeling the sun on your face or maybe going for a swim to clear your head. These little activities can make an enormous difference to your exam preparations and mental well-being generally.

Study smarter not harder!

The key to successful studying is essentially breaking down the one big task (mastering the exam syllabus) into smaller, manageable chunks, like specific topics or concepts. And to do this you need a plan. Work out when you are going to revise each topic, and mark off your progress as you achieve it. Just looking at how far you have come will give you a boost and can allow you to be in better control of your exam preparation.

Decompress

Not allowing for this is actually one of the most common mistakes candidates make. Have you ever stayed up late trying to get your head around a complex topic and then suddenly realised you are still buried in books in the small hours of the morning? This can become a habit, causing you to feel tired, lethargic and unable to concentrate in the days and weeks to follow. Where this is something that you might do in the last few days before the exam it is important to make sure you get adequate rest. Try to do something relaxing to transition from study to sleep. In the long run, you will understand more and remember better.

There is no right or wrong way to balance rest, relaxation and study. You must do what works for you; do try to listen to your body and your mind. And remember, if you want to do the very best that you can in your exams, the power of a positive attitude will help you get there.

Always share your recommendations and strategies with your peers. There is nothing like mutual support to get you through the challenging times.

• Nasheen Wuisman, Senior Manager of Global Academic Progression at AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants