Ready for School? Hypnosis Can Help Beat School Jitters

By Deborah Ferris

Published in Health Matters, Active Healthcare Centres,

Fall 2005 Newsletter

Usually when we think of September and going back to school we think of our kids but many adults are also getting ready to return to school. Maybe you want to upgrade your education by taking some credit courses or you’re interested in taking some general interest classes. However there’s a problem. It all feels too difficult. So if the idea of going back to school sends chills up your spine, then hypnosis could be just what you need.

Is something holding you back, like bad memories of school and your less than sterling record of achievement? Maybe you have trouble focusing and retaining information. Don’t worry there is hope!

Hypnosis can help you to relax so you can focus and concentrate better in school and it can help with anxiety around taking tests. As well, if you have trouble recalling information that you have read or heard, hypnosis can also help you to retrieve the information from your subconscious.

How does it work?

When you go into hypnosis you feel relaxed all over. Your mind and your body relax. While you are in this relaxed and focused state of mind, you actually have direct contact with your subconscious. It is at this level that you are able to make positive changes like releasing negative thoughts or beliefs about yourself.

Hypnosis is a natural focused state of mind that feels great. It’s refreshing and it leaves you with a good feeling about yourself and your goal.

If you have fears or anxieties about taking courses that require you to write exams, essays and do presentations, these negative emotions can be released while you are in hypnosis. You can then replace the fear or anxiety with positive suggestions that will help you to succeed at school.

You will also learn self-hypnosis so that you can continue to reinforce the work that you have done during each session with your hypnotherapist.

What is your self-talk?

Your hypnotherapist will also ask you about your earlier experiences in school and how you mentally talk to yourself. For instance, do you tell yourself that you are a dummy or stupid? Do you have other harsh labels for yourself?

These internal criticisms need to be addressed so that you can move forward with success in your life, whether you want to take one course or complete a certificate or a diploma.

So if you want to improve your memory, be confident in making presentations and excel at school, hypnotherapy can benefit you.

Deborah Ferris is a Certified Hypnotherapist & Reiki Master. She helps clients to reduce stress, lose weight, improve self-confidence and self-esteem and improve relationships. Deborah is also offering Group Weight Loss Classes, ‘Simply Slim With Hypnosis’, mornings and evenings (five classes for $100). You can reach her at (519) 688-9282 in Tillsonburg.

Tips on Studying

§ Take yourself into a slightly altered state through self-hypnosis before you study so you can focus and retain information better.

§ Study at home in an environment similar to the one where you will write an exam. By studying at a desk, your body and your mind, can more easily recall information when you go to write an exam (at a desk) rather than studying on the bed.

§ Study for 20 – 30 minutes and then take a 10 minute break. This helps you to retain the information better than studying for longer periods of time.

§ Review the material you are reading for key points.

§ Eliminate distractions and set a timeframe for studying and working on projects or assignments.

§ Organize the material so it has meaning for you and organize it logically.

§ Give yourself a reward for improving your study habits and getting better grades. For instance, after a week of studying you could treat yourself to a movie.