Stressed about exams? Trust me, you are not alone. As exam season is quickly approaching, here are a few tips to help you stay motivated and organized so you can crush these exams without letting them crush you.
My first tip is to start studying early. Start going over notes as soon as you can. It’s as simple as reading them over whenever you have free time during the semester, pretty much trying to read them at least once a week. This will help make the information easier to retain and prevent the awful anxiety and stress that comes with cramming.
My second tip is to organize your exam period and the weekends leading up to it. Organize when you will study, what courses, for how long and make sure you plan other activities in there so you do not bore yourself. Although people want to study as much as they can, it is necessary to maintain a social life outside of school to ensure your health and sanity.
My third tip is to stay active. Plan workouts or go on walks. Working out boosts motivation and can reset your mood, making it easier for you to sit down and study some more. It also helps keep you physically healthy, which is essential for feeling good and avoiding getting sick.
A few more ways to decrease your chances of getting sick during exam period is to get adequate sleep. Your body needs sleep to repair itself and processes the information you learnt and lived through during the day. This will have a positive effect on your studying as your retention will increase. Your cognitive functioning improves after a good sleep, so please (and I cannot stress this enough) PRIORITIZE SLEEP AND SLEEP AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT EVERY NIGHT DURING EXAM SEASON! Nutrition is equally as important. Fuelling your body with proper nutritious foods will make a world of difference in your studying too. Healthy and full meals will keep your brain on top of its game and give you the energy you need to power through exam season. Make sure you consume a variety of foods across all food groups for maximum results. There are plenty of easy, cheap and healthy recipes on TASTY if you need some food inspo!
Another tip I have is to plan breaks and listen to your body’s needs. Our brains and bodies cannot tolerate sitting for hours on end focusing on one thing. We need breaks to help us process the material and to better focus. When you find yourself super unmotivated and feeling like everything you are reading is not processing, that is a hallmark sign to take a break. Breaks will make such a difference in your studying, so please factor them in and take them when your body asks you too.
To keep the tips rolling, here’s another. Try and keep off your phone. Believe me, I know how hard it can be, especially when it is right next to you and you’re going over dry lecture material. Pro tip: put your phone in another room, set it to do not disturb, or set phone breaks where you designate time to check your messages and scroll. This will help keep you from getting distracted!
My last tip, and by far the most important is to do your best. Going into exams is tough, especially this semester with everything being online. Put effort into it because it will pay off. You are so close to the finish line and by being present while studying and applying yourself, you will see the results you’ve been working so hard for. Just continue being kind to yourself while pushing yourself because it is all about BALANCE.
