Tackle your exams with confidence

Exam season is here... again. Let's face it: exams are stressful. Whether writing a summative essay or preparing to sit for an in-person exam, feelings of anxiety and exhaustion are unavoidable. The best part of exam season is the end of it. That being said, here are some tips to help you make the most of your revisions and complete your exams with confidence. 

📚 Try not to compare yourself to others  

Studying is deeply personal. The key to exam season is finding your own groove. Some people need to write one essay at a time or focus on revisions for one course at a time. For others, it's easier to work in blocks, writing multiple essays or revising course material from a few different classes throughout the day.

I prefer to study in the evening, while some of my friends wake up early and study throughout the morning. It takes a while, but the uni experience is designed to help you discover which study methods work for you.

👩🏼‍💻 Studying solo 

Revising alone is a daunting task. It's challenging to stay motivated when you're on your own. I find the key to studying solo is finding an environment that motivates you. As much as I like to study in bed, I am much more productive at a coffee shop or a public library. I also like to study at local spots around my hall because I find campus to be a stressful environment.

I'm most productive when I'm studying in an environment where others are also quietly focused on work. It took me a long time to realize studying in my room and on campus weren't the best environments for me. Ask yourself: Where do I feel motivated? Where do I feel least anxious? Where do I feel least distracted? 

 💪🏻 Sometimes, studying is better together

I believe the best study methods include a combination of revising alone and alongside our peers. Studying in a group setting can look like talking out essay topics and editing essay theses together. It can also look like working through practice questions as a team.

Group study is the perfect way to break up your solo study time; it shows you that studying is challenging for everybody. Don't forget to run to Sainsbury's beforehand to pick up snacks and sweet treats for motivation! 

📝 Before you know it, it's exam day!

On exam day, try to practice some mindfulness techniques. Check out an article full of breathing techniques below. Learning some of these breathing exercises ahead of time can help you feel prepared to tackle any stress or anxiety that comes up during your exam. 

Before leaving your hall, pack a water bottle, your pens and pencils, a note sheet for last minute revisions, and whatever else you need (maybe a calculator, too, depending on your course). Remember, you've worked hard and you're prepared for this moment! 

🏠 Your hall is here to help

Your halls team understands that exam season is a time of heightened stress and anxiety. Reach out to your hall's subwarden team if you're needing extra support. Also, check out the link below to see what kinds of de-stress events your hall has coming up! 

Check out more blogs about exams!