Exam stress - Tips and Tricks

So currently I am in the middle of my final exams for the last year of my university course, so to say I am stressed is an understatement. So as the very responsible student I am  I thought I would take a small study break in order to share some of the things that have helped me along the way. Stress can affect people in many ways, I personally break out like a bee hive and my sleeping pattern becomes non-existent, but no need to fret their are ways to help the situation and make revision slightly (very very slightly) enjoyable?

1. Everybody has their own way of revising/studying and so I think its important to find out early what works for you! Get yourself organised and don't worry what other people or your friends are doing because their strategy might not necessarily work for you, and vice versa. Also don't worry too much about your friends progress and how they seem to know everything because I can promise you, more times than not they are thinking the exact same thing about you. Stick to your technique and your personal plan and things will always find away of falling into place.

2. This leads me nicely on to my 2nd tip, make some sort of plan of how long each day you going to revise and what you are going to do, and stick to it. It's not necessarily so important to complete all the dead lines you give yourself as we can all be a little over ambitious. However if you know you work better in the morning or evening make sure you do it and don't pass is on until later.You will know when you go to bed that night if you have pushed yourself as much as possible that day or if you know you could have done more.  In your plan make sure you give yourself time for downtime and relaxing, do something you find calming and takes you out of exam mode to give you brain a little break.

3. The environment you set up for yourself can be crucial to the quality of the revision you get done. If you set yourself up in bed you will not want to revise and the thought of just climbing into said bed and hibernating until summer is far too tempting! Instead set up a space in the kitchen, library etc where you know you work best. Personally I can't stand noise so working from the library is a no go for me, also I like making my own playlists of chill music and just feel much more comfortable in my own space. Load yourself up on your favourite snacks and drinks (think brain food) as a small incentive for when you have finished a topic/lecture etc..

4. My last tip to reduce stress during exam time is something you will definitely have heard before and probably are sick of but it is the most important. Eat right, drink plenty of water and sleep plenty. After 4 years of school, 2 years of college and now 3 years of university I feel qualified enough to say this really is vital during exams. Your brain will not work to it's optimum capability if you don't eat and drink properly. Fatty, salty and greasy food will do nothing to help with the rubbish mood you are in from revising and if you don't sleep plenty your brain will be no use for the exam please trust me. I have on many occasions  stayed up the  whole night before an exam cramming and then thought I could counteract that with caffeine in the morning, oh how I was wrong. I could barely read the words on the paper never mind understanding the question and the caffeine jitters were doing nothing to help me try and remember everything I had been cramming the night before.

So that's my little bit of advice, and even if you've heard it all before I hope it helps someone and drives them into gear. Just remember it doesn't last forever. Now I'm going to stop distracting myself and get back to revising for my last exam, wish me luck!!

Gemma x