Tips for Dealing with Exam Stress
It’s that time of the year again, and for many students that will mean exams, which can be an incredibly stressful time. Here are some helpful tips for dealing with exam stress:
Space your study out over the semester
Whether you are in your first or last year, it is important that you don’t leave study until the last minute. Look over your module outline and look at the recorded lectures/your lecture notes. The lecturer is more than likely going to devise an exam based on what you talked about in class and your own reading. Listen to them and have a look over your recommended reading.
Take as many breaks as you need
I often hear from people studying that they are procrastinating and taking way too many breaks. Believe it or not, that is OK. Take as many breaks as you need. Stretch your legs, get some coffee or herbal tea (the yellow Pukka packet is the best, I don’t care what anyone else says) or go chat with a housemate or a family member. Come back when you’ve recharged. These are strange times that require strange study habits.
Don’t confine yourself to your room
Odds are that you are sleeping and studying in your room, only leaving to go to work. It is unhealthy to be in the same four walls every day, so try to get out of the house. If the weather is bad, and this is Ireland, so it probably will be, try to go to another room in the house to chill out. I know you can’t watch Netflix in the kitchen while your parents make dinner, but you might chat with each other about your stress and feel better about things.
Exercise is so important
Many people decrease the amount of time they spend exercising around exam time due to the pressures of studying. Some people stop exercising altogether. Then, they get even more stressed as their physical outlet has stopped. This all has a negative impact on the outcome of your exams. Figure that one out?
Get a good night’s sleep
The older and more boring we all get, the more inevitable it is that we look increasingly into sleep and REM cycles. So, aim for between six and a half hours to eight hours every night, and you’ll be in a good mood and ready to study that day!
Best of luck out there everyone!