I don’t know about y’all, but every time midterms and finals come around, I can hardly breathe outside my piles of review sheets. We find ourselves rushing to study enough for each of our classes and sometimes having back-to-back exams, which causes us to feel overwhelmed. During this time, it is important to remember to take some time to relax. I know it’s difficult to take some time off because you think “I could be studying right now,” but pushing self-care aside will only double the pressure and stress. Plus, some of these hacks will only take you about five minutes. Just step away from your electronics, and listen up!
One of the simplest things you can do to relax your mind is to go on a walk. When you are stuck in your dorm or library for hours just staring at a screen or books, it can make your head start to hurt, you’ll feel fatigued, and you will lose focus. Stepping away and going out to breathe fresh air can make you feel at ease again. Trust me, I do this all the time! If you don’t feel like walking, then just sit outside for a bit – you will feel much better when you return to your studying. Stepping away from your computer allows your mind to reset, and then you will feel refreshed and ready to work again.
I think a lot of people underestimate the importance of having a good fulfilling meal when you are studying. When I am doing work, I tend to munch on whatever I can reach for in my snack cart, often forgetting to get up and go get a proper meal. There is a reason why your teachers always told you to eat a proper meal before an exam. For me, I always feel like I’m low on energy when I’m just running on snacks, which then causes me to feel like going straight to bed instead of continuing to study. So, I highly suggest eating before or in between studying sessions to get some energy and continue strong!
Maybe a lot of people do this already, but take naps! I was such a nap hater before college. I would never take naps – it was impossible for me, even in preschool during naptime. However, when I got to college, it became a must! Getting up early and spending all day on campus does take a toll on people. Especially when there is so much you have to do, study for, review etc., it piles up and becomes exhausting. When I get back from a long day of class or studying, I take at least a 15 minute nap, and it truly makes a difference in my mood. If y’all haven’t tried it yet, you must at least once. It’s both a recharge and a break from work.
Now, my personal favorite during exam season is journaling. I really recommend trying it, even if you think you may not like it. Personally, I like to write about something other than school to get my mind off it. For example, I write about what I did during the day or anything interesting that has happened in my life recently, or sometimes I even look at journal prompts if I have no idea what to write about.
You can always write about how stressful exams are. I know plenty of people who like to write about how horrible a class is or how unfair their professors are, and getting frustrations out on paper helps them release their stress. Journaling can help take your mind off your work for a while and bring your focus back to yourself. You don’t have to write a long entry or anything, just 5-10 minutes to distract your mind from studying for a bit.
It’s important to pass your classes, but it’s also important to take the time to practice self-care! This exam season, challenge yourself with one of these methods and see what works for you. Anything that can take you away from your screens will be beneficial for your state of mind during these rough times.