WELLBEING DURING EXAMS
Exams are stressful for everybody, but there are lots of things you can do to look after yourself and be at your best on the day.
SLEEP
Go home and make sure you are getting a decent night’s sleep. Do not be tempted to stay in the library until you drop off. Allow yourself time to socialise but remember that 6-8 hours sleep is good for your mental health, stress levels, and concentration.
DIET
Fuelling your body fuels your mind. A balanced diet will boost your concentration as well as helping your body to manage the stress of exam time. Make time for meals and try not to rely on takeaways as they may not give you all the nutrients you need.
HYDRATION
It has been scientifically proven that dehydration affects your ability to concentrate. Take on board plenty of fluids but remember that sugary and caffeinated drinks can cause you to "crash" during the day or interrupt your sleep.
EXERCISE
Try and take some form of exercise every day. A brisk walk will help to use up the adrenaline caused by the worry and stress of exams. Online tutorials for yoga or workouts can be a fun stay-at-home alternative to going to the gym.
TAKE REGULAR BREAKS
Allow yourself breaks from study to rest your mind and stretch your legs. If your mind starts to wander, it is usually more productive to refresh yourself with a 10-minute break than to procrastinate for 2 hours and feel guilty about it. If you are working in the library, use one of the Taking a Break cards to save your workspace.
CHECK YOUR TIMETABLE
It might seem obvious, but make sure you know the correct dates and times of all your exams and coursework deadlines. Not only will this help you to be more efficient with handling your workload, but it can also limit your stress levels.
CHECK THE SYLLABUS
Do not waste time reading information that will not be in your exam. Look up the objectives of the course so you can cover the necessary topics effectively.
MAKE A REVISION TIMETABLE
Revision timetables do not work for everyone, but they can be a useful way to ensure that you have allowed time for all your necessary revision.