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The Artisans of Igun — Brass Casters and the Secrets They Pass Down

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The Artisans of Igun — Brass Casters and the Secrets They Pass Down A deep cultural story of Benin’s legendary bronze casters, their skills, beliefs, and survival in a modern world. 📚 Table of Contents Introduction — A street where history breathes Origins of Igun Street & the Benin Kingdom The lost-wax casting method explained simply Apprenticeship, secrets & sacred knowledge Spiritual beliefs behind the bronze Colonial encounter & the Benin Bronzes Modern Igun: survival, tourism & adaptation Watch: Igun Street & Benin Bronze videos Lessons for today’s youth & artisans Further reading & Google search links 🧭 Introduction — A street where history breathes In the heart of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, lies a street unlike any other — Igun Street . To the casual visitor, i...
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Exam Anxiety Toolkit: 7 Practical Tools to Calm Your Mind

Hook: “Before you enter the hall, try this two-minute breathing reset.”

Non-clinical, safety-first techniques aimed at reducing acute exam anxiety. These are portable — use them before the test, in breaks, and during short pauses between sections.

Download one-pager (PDF)
Two-Minute Breathing Reset — Box / 4-4-4 (Start here)

Why: breathing regulates the autonomic nervous system and quickly reduces heart rate and panic.

How (box/4-4-4): inhale 4 seconds → hold 4 seconds → exhale 4 seconds → repeat 5 times (≈2 minutes).

Quick script: “Breathe in — 2, 3, 4. Hold — 2,3,4. Breathe out — 2,3,4.”

Grounding: 5-4-3-2-1 Sensory Scan

Why: anxiety narrows attention to worry; sensory scanning anchors you to present reality.

How: name 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste or a calming phrase.

Use:

Progressive Muscle Release — quick full-body reset

Why: tension accumulates in the body during stress. Releasing muscles quickly lowers physical arousal.

How (90–120s): tense toes → release; calves → release; thighs → release; belly → release; shoulders → release; neck & face → release. Hold each tension 4–6 seconds then let go.

Quick Physical Reset (20–60s)

Why: short movement reduces adrenaline and clears the head.

How:

Focus Phrase + Micro-Visualization

Why: short phrases redirect automatic negative thoughts; visualization primes success.

How:

Worry-Parking Technique

Why: small rituals can reduce rumination by transferring the worry into a physical object.

How:

Mini-Checklist & Time Anchors

Pre-exam checklist: ID/admission slip, pens/pencils, permitted calculator, watch, clear water, tissues.

Time anchors during exam: first 2 minutes: read instructions; first 30–40% of time: answer easy questions; leave 10% of time for review.

Printable checklist
  1. ID & slip, pens, calculator
  2. Water & small snack (if permitted)
  3. 2-minute breathing reset before entry
  4. Read instructions (2 min), mark & return to hard questions
When to seek help — red flags

Get professional help if panic attacks are frequent, you avoid tests entirely, or anxiety disrupts sleep/eating for weeks. Campus counselling services and mental health professionals can provide therapy and techniques beyond self-help.

© 2025 Edwin Ogie Library — These are practical, non-clinical tools. For chronic or severe anxiety consult a mental health professional.
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