As well as the usual study prep tips, make sure you’re taking care of your wellbeing during the lead up to exams. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed or stressed during this time, know you’re not alone.
Maybe try some of the below tips to see if you can take control of your worries, and if not, there is always free support available to you at the Health and Wellbeing Resource Centre. Reach out to have a chat with our Student Wellbeing Advisors today for short and long-term support.
- Put your worries into perspective
Don’t get me wrong, all worries are valid, and sometimes it can feel difficult to cope, especially in stressful times like the lead up to exams and final assignments.
It might be helpful though, to ‘get out of your own head’ and look at it from another perspective. Keep your eye on the bigger picture and know that one fail or low grade isn’t going to derail your plan. There are always options to re-take or re-do courses, or other pathways to get where you want to.
Remind yourself of this and know that you’re doing your best to prepare. The rest will take care of itself!
2. Manage your caffeine intake
Now is not the time to drink lots of coffee and Red Bull to continue to cram all day and night! A little bit of caffeine can be helpful for an extra boost, but too much can actually damage our memory retention and ability to sleep.
Do an audit on how much you’re consuming. Does this need to change?
3. Sleep
In addition to reducing caffeine, make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Sleep replenishes your energy and helps you retain the information you’ve learned during the day. It also plays an important part in regulating our emotions, making us better able to concentrate during the day.
Reach Out – Tips on how to get a good night’s sleep
4. Exercise
Exercising may seem difficult to do when you’re stressed, but it is proven that it can help with stress and anxiety. So even if you don’t feel like it, take yourself on a gentle walk, do some stretching, play with your dog, whatever you can just to get your heart rate up and blood flowing.
5. Take breaks
Make sure you take short breaks every hour of study, this will help you remain on task. Studying for hours on end may seem like a good idea, but in reality, can cause you to lose concentration. Taking regular breaks can help us remain focused on tasks.
6. Schedule time for things you enjoy
Make sure you remember to continue doing the things you enjoy outside of study. Study is important in the lead up to exams, but fitting in things that you like doing, like seeing friends, exercising or watching a TV show can give your brain a break and keep you active, energised and happy. This will help you feel refreshed when you come back to study.
7. Remember, not all stress is bad
In some cases, when we need to get something done, a little bit of stress can be the push we need to get moving. It can make you more alert and motivate you to study when you need to or get your mind ready for an exam. The trick is to know when it is too much stress.
If you’re losing control of a situation, or you’re doing things to help the stress and it isn’t going away, then you might need some support. Reach out to the Health and Wellbeing Resource Centre to discuss options for short and long-term support! That’s what we’re there for! 😊