Whilst many of our friends are lucky enough to already have a Rock pic on their Instagram, the rest of us are still pulling all-nighters at the library. Exams are approaching fast so it is completely understandable that you are well absorbed in your academic world and your health regime is pretty low in your priorities. However, we would think twice before folding up your gym clothes and stashing them away until the dreaded exam period is over. It is so important to maintain your fitness routine during the exam period. Most importantly because exercise serves to lower stress so negative thoughts and emotions are not further aggravated.
Smart vs. Hard Revising
Be a smart reviser not a hard reviser. There is a major difference. If you are a hard reviser, revision likely consumes your mind and taking a break is perceived as a sin. Whilst it may appear to be beneficial that your exam notes occupy your thoughts continuously, your mental health, brain and physical body are likely to become completely drained which can potentially worsen your overall performance.
So revise smart. Smart revisers take breaks. In order to maximise the effectiveness of your study periods, breaks are necessary. Your body is like a vehicle. Every now and then, it needs to take a moment to recharge its batteries, refill itself with fuel and revive, restore and replenish itself so it can operate effectively and efficiently.
Work in three hour blocks followed by a ½ – 1 hour break before commencing for another 3 hours. During these breaks, why not go for a walk outside or run on the treadmill. Move your body, spike the heart rate and engage those muscles. Often when we are absorbed in deep revision mode, our posture suffers as we position ourselves hunched forward as we strive hard to fit our notes onto the page. Stretching the body through flexibility training such as Yoga and meditation may be ideal if you want to utilise your breaks to purely relax and release any stressful emotions poisoning your body.
Enhance your exam performance
Put on your white lace-ups this May because the gym could be your haven. Fitness has the power to facilitate your academic success because it affects your mental performance. Exercise releases hormones from your body such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. As a collective, these hormones positively strengthen your learning and attention capacity, increase motivation, elevate moods and aid the regulation of sleep. Coupled together, these factors will improve your exam performance as your cognitive abilities and capacity to commit to longer revision sessions are enhanced.
Work through your anxieties
During exam periods, all students long to be relieved of the endless anxieties which develop as they await their examinations. Exercise can reduce the amount of cortisol, responsible for spiking stress rates which means your exam anxieties should lower. Furthermore, physical activity has been found to expand the hippocampus, a section of the brain responsible for memory retention. Thus, completing regular exercise daily or every two days has the power to enhance your brain and memory function and overall academic performance.
So do not neglect your exercise routine this May. It is crucial you get in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week. Even a 15-20 minute each day has the power to make a huge difference to your mental and physical health.
Eliminate as much unnecessary stress as you can this semester by exercising. Your brain is undergoing some intense revision over May. Thus, you need to care for it. Revise smart and remember to move.