A strange lull seems to have bewitched our normally buzzing student town; Wednesday nights have become almost tranquil, the latest accessory is the wellbeing committee’s white paper bags (so chic) and the library has become a mass game of (silent) musical chairs. All clues point to one culprit: exam season. Not surprisingly, the end of the academic year can prove to be a highly stressful and difficult period as workload and sometimes friendships come under strain after an exhausting year. In weeks such as these, it is paramount that students find ways to cope with the pressures of maintaining academic performance whilst making the most of the final few weeks with friends before the summer. Here are five simple ways students can take some timeout for themselves and relieve stress during exam period:
Get some vitamin D
Whilst it might be cruel to suggest getting outside during exam season, with so many students spending their library shifts longingly looking at the sun christened grass below, there is a reason why we are all itching to break beyond the walls of the library. Studies suggest that vitamin D plays an important role in serotonin and melatonin regulation, improving both mood and sleep, two elements of health that often fall wayward during exam season. Making the most of the good weather does not have to jeopardise your revision timetable, simple switches like eating your lunch in St.Mary’s Quad, walking a longer route to the library or taking a coffee break outside can all count towards your daily dose of sunshine. If you can afford to take an afternoon or morning off to appreciate the sun, walks along the beach, Fife coastal path or even a visit to Craighton Park are brilliant options to enjoy the stunning natural scenery that St Andrews has to offer.
Get moving
We all know exercise is good for us, but the most notable rewards aren’t necessarily related to strength or speed. Exercise of any description, be it a brisk walk, yoga, weight lifting or running, is one of the best means of stress relief. Physical activity boosts the production of endorphins, the ‘feel-good’ sensation you get after eating your favourite chocolate or some superb sex, which can help to reduce negative thoughts and improve overall mood. Beyond endorphins, exercise can boost confidence, create a small sense of personal achievement and improve sleep quality, benefitting mental health as well as physical health. With the gym in St.Andrews sometimes producing long wait times and having only limited equipment, alternatives such as tennis, football or running can be excellent choices for when the gym’s occupancy is high (plus outdoor exercise means a greater dose of that all important vitamin D!).
Get outside of St Andrews
As much as we are all aware this is a small town, sometimes its three streets can seem a little too small, especially towards the end of the semester. Tensions can become more apparent as stress levels rise and students start comparing themselves to peers (the easiest way to extreme stress levels possible, trust me). Reminding yourself of the world beyond St.Andrews can be a wonderful way to put the semester into perspective and a wonderful opportunity to explore somewhere new. Small coastal towns like Anstruther and Crail can be a brilliant afternoon out with friends, or even a day trip to Edinburgh for some retail therapy can do wonders to relieve stress. If travelling out of town isn’t a viable option, even phoning friends and family from home can be an excellent way to mentally escape the St.Andrews bubble and remind yourself of what awaits you at the end of the semester.
Get creative
There’s a reason why colouring books have become a form of adult meditation, doing something creative can be the best way to take your mind off of day to day stressors. Whether you prefer to journal, “procrasti-bake” (my personal favourite), paint, make music or even play with Lego, doing something away from a screen that tickles the creative parts of your brain can be highly effective in improving your mood. Whilst any of these activities can be done as a break at any point during the day, they can be extremely effective as mechanisms to wide down at the end of the day and take some rest away from our phone, something too many of us are guilty of using as our method of relaxation at the end of a hard day.
Get ready (for nowhere in particular)
Although sweatpants and hoodies are the unspoken uniform of revision week, there is something to be said for looking and feeling put together when you need to get sh*t done. Take an evening off and do your “everything shower”, coat yourself in fake tan, paint your nails and slather every potion in your wash bag onto your face under the guise of a homemade facial- even if it is just for the library. I am in fact testing this approach to de-stressing as I write this article, freshly tanned and hair mask in full force, and can confirm I have never been more relaxed about an upcoming deadline (said deadline actually being this article- but I think my editor will appreciate the research!). An evening of pampering can do wonders for your confidence for days to come, providing a little boost in even the most stressful of times.