Exam season – the two words every student dreads. With the year finishing up, it can be a difficult time: impending deadlines, heaps of information to learn and balancing your own wellbeing. Amidst the stress, there are so many ways you can look after yourself and your mental health, as this blog can walk you through.
General tips
It can be tricky to prioritise your wellbeing as a student, even outside of the exam period. A good first step might be to simply go back to the basics.
Ensure you’re getting enough sleep: research suggests university students should aim for 7-9 hours a night. Yes, that does mean no more late nights cramming information, nor handing your essay in at 11:59 pm! However, the benefits are worth it: improved memory consolidation, better stress management and strengthening of the immune system. It’s a worthy payoff.
Prioritise getting outside: the benefits of physical activity are well-established. Whether it’s a cycle outdoors, a 10-minute walk, or a yoga class with friends, your mental health will thank you for taking breaks.
Limiting screen time: I admit it may sound counter-productive to limit your screen time while revising. Mindless scrolling can quickly become detrimental, and while it may feel like a break for your hard work, technology can affect concentration and sleep. It’s important that you find a good balance between revision and personal time so as not to feel burned out – perhaps a good way to do this would be to dedicate personal time to off-screen enjoyments!
Finding your niche
I’ll be the first to admit that it can be hard to strike a good balance between revision and personal enjoyment. Personally, I found that I felt the most benefit when I had something to look forward to every week. My choice was a little unusual, but it gave me so much purpose – volunteering at a dog daycare. At first glance, this may seem odd, but the benefits of stress-relief, productivity and a personal feeling of reward were unmatched. Having dedicated time in my week to unwind and do something fun offered me much more than I could’ve imagined, and in turn, made me much more productive when I got back to studying.
My advice is to find your niche – something you’ll look forward to – and use it to motivate you!
More than just exams
Like most students, I am looking forward to the end of the exam period. It is important to remember that self-care and wellbeing practices shouldn’t end when you close your final exam paper, though. It’s essential to take the time after exams to relax, engage in hobbies, catch up with friends and ensure you’re allowing yourself the time to unwind after a busy period.
Many of us will feel relief once our last exam is done, and anxiety awaiting results is a universal student experience. It’s important to remember that all you can do – and have done – is the best of your ability, and you should be proud of that regardless of the outcome.
Discover more
Find out more at the Student Support Hub
Create your own personalised prospectus here.
To find out more about student life in Durham, follow our students on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube
