Acclimatising to university life means finding the right balance between your social life and learning – all the while preparing your workload and calendar for the all-important summer term and exam season.
Whether you are a long-standing reviser or someone who crams all your revision into the final few weeks before exams, we’ve spoken to student alumni as well as current students (and our own team here at Liv Student) to determine the best stress-busting tips for managing exam season.
But first, a little science. (Science students, you’re welcome!)
Why is it important to stay stress-free during exams?
Have you ever noticed that when you overthink something or channel all your energy into stressing, the whole situation feels worse?
This is because when we get stressed, our bodies release a hormone called cortisol. High levels of cortisol can impact rational thinking and can quickly wipe all the revision you’ve done from your brain – just when you need it! That’s why when it comes to dealing with high-stress situations, it’s vital that you keep calm and level-headed.
Here are some of the best ways to do that…
1. Plan your time effectively
The chances are that you will know when your exams are from early on in the term, if not before.
The best thing you can do as a student is buy a large year calendar which shows the entire year on one sheet, and plot out each exam, deadline, and important date in a bright coloured pen. Doing this will give you a good idea of how long you have before each exam and will allow you to plan your time according to holidays, term dates, and other events.
2. Factor in break times
It could be a cup of tea in front of a favourite box set, or it could be an hour or two spent in the pub with your best friend. Whatever your ideal break involves, make sure to factor plenty of breaks into your revision time and in the lead-up to exams.
There is only so much cramming that you can do, and sometimes the best and only thing to do is to clear your mind and relax a little. Remember, you were there in the lectures, and you attended all the seminars. The information you need is there in your mind, you just need to relax and let your brain organise that information so that you can access it when you need it.
3. Exercise and get outside
Okay, so in the previous point, we recommended sitting down with a cup of tea or heading to the pub (both relaxing techniques that we 100% stand by). But when it comes to combatting exam stress and making yourself feel more positive, arguably the very best thing you can do is get outside and take yourself for a walk or a run.
Exercise floods the body with endorphins which are excellent at boosting positive energy and feel-good vibes. Getting outside is also good for your overall mental well-being and will give you an outlet for any pent-up stress that is impacting your mood.
4. Cut down on caffeine, alcohol, and social media
This really applies to anything that feeds your anxiety. We are all different and have different triggers – however, it’s important that you are able to cut down on habits which stimulate and enhance your stress levels.
Alcohol can leave you with a hangover which impacts your ability to function the next day – eating into valuable revision time or, worse, leaving you feeling a little off on exam day.
Caffeine is a stimulant that enhances stress and prevents you from sleeping properly.
Social media is a trigger which feeds social anxiety and can waste time that could and should be spent revising or doing other things to prepare for your exams.
5. Try and have some perspective
This one is difficult because it relies on you being able to take a step back from one exam and see the bigger picture.
One slightly off result is not the end of the world. What’s more, the chances are that you know more than you think you do and will do better than you expect.
Going into exams feeling confident and calm about the information you have learnt is integral to success. Write answers with certainty, back up any claims you make, and have faith in your aptitude as a student!
6. Work on exam time management techniques
One of the biggest challenges that many students face around exam time is managing their time within the limit of the exam.
As part of your preparation, it’s wise to complete some mock exams so that you can work out roughly how much time to allow for each question before moving on. Remember, if you leave questions unanswered then there is no chance at all of getting any marks for them.
7. When they’re done – they’re done!
If you take just one point from this entire blog, then make sure it’s this one.
When an exam is finished, there is absolutely no point in torturing yourself trying to remember what you wrote exactly and finding out what answers others put. As soon as you step out of an exam, it’s time to stop worrying about it and instead channel your energy into planning drinks with friends or something else that will ease your nerves.
Surrounding yourself with friends is what university life is all about. And while exams are important and should be taken seriously, it’s important to take steps to balance the stress and ensure you don’t let exams take over your life.
We hope this blog helps. There are always university guidance counselors and advisors on hand, should you start to feel overwhelmed and in need of extra help. Don’t be afraid to ask.
