Decrunching the inevitable exam stress, or at least ways to control it anyway!

Hayley Elahee

Computer Science

We all know it, the impending stress as deadlines get closer, the overwhelming feeling that you haven’t done enough and of course the last-minute crunch. Exam stress is no joking matter. I remember being plagued with insomnia just at the thought of an exam the next day, that’s why I’ve decided to gift you a few words of wisdom from someone who has been coping with exam seasons for years now! Off we go!

First things first, before even considering content and exam periods we have to go over a really important ideology that has taken me years to come to terms with. It may seem like common sense to some of you and for some of you it may even seem alien but please don’t forget, you are not defined by the letter or number on a piece of paper. During exams it can be really easy to blur the lines between what is important and what defines you, it’s easy to catch yourself forgetting your worth just because you forgot to answer a question on an exam paper. Trust me it happens far too often, hence why I am here telling you, please remember that no test reflects who you are. Exams are just a way to easily measure a mass of people, not to mark how valuable you are. Understanding that an exam result is only a part of what attracts universities and employees to you is a major step to maturity! Don’t worry it took me years to understand this too! When a university sees your grades, it is only a factor of what matters, your startup resin company you made during the lockdown, believe it or not, is still a major influence that people would love to hear about. If it sets you apart from the crowd, include it! These will be the key talking matters at interviews and follow-ups that create really awesome conversation starters! Show them who you are, even it seems quirky and weird, those are the things you’ll be remembered for!

Moving forward, I know that the exam period can feel like a long trek to find a castle. It’s draining, tiring and even emotional at the worst of times. But like a quest to find a castle, it would be impossible to make the journey without a few correctly planned, fulfilling pit stops! That leads us to our second point, “Schedule and don’t forget to prioritize having ‘no work’ days!”. With each day crawling into one mass of stress it can be easy to forget how much work you’re forcing your brain to do! One way I have found it easier to remind myself to take a chill pill is scheduled no workdays. These days are normally equally spread out during a week and I’ll aim to have about 3+ at least per week! They can literally consist of anything at all as long as it isn’t studying or revision. Mine vary from crocheting, Netflix binges, Lego days, video games or even something as simple as baking! Not only is it a day to ground you and remind you how far you’ve come so far but I always find they help me to reflect on things I’m forgetting or even things that I want to focus on a little bit more. If you truly struggle, look around for inspiration. If you’re at university see what they offer! I’ve found the student unions give it go events to be my favs, bob ross tutorials, pottery and even placard making, I do truly recommend trying them out if you’re a little stuck for inspo! Anyway, as I was saying, it’s just a day to let your brain relax and unwind before you start cramming it with more information. Trust me it helps! If I’m being completely honest, during my A level’s using this method of having ‘no work days’ really helped in keeping me mentally stable and remind me that my studies are not my entire life. Book a meal at a restaurant, buy the ingredients to make a cake. Just don’t forget to have days where you aren’t pushing yourself further! Remember burnout is the common enemy!

Next up! Now this one you might have to stay with me. I’m sure you’ve heard you are what you eat but allow me to introduce you to “Happy Diet, Happy Mind”. During my exam weeks, I plan my meals and snacks accordingly, I ensure that I’m cooking hearty comfort foods and try to keep snacks healthy but happy. Buy yourself the odd KitKat, have that Nutella toasty at 3 am. Treat yourself and try as hard as it can be to listen to your body. Sometimes during times of stress, our body just needs that little bit of extra comfort food, buy those extra special strawberries. You’ll thank yourself when you’re freaking out your deadlines the next day, really! I know you’ve heard it a million times but really, having an awesome breakfast makes all the difference, even if it’s not your exam day, make those pancakes, have that bacon, pour yourself a glass of orange juice. Trust me, you’ll be amazed at the difference it actually makes. Get your brain fuel, after all the work it’s doing, I’m pretty sure it deserves it! Heck, go crazy try some baked oats for all it matters, just don’t fuel yourself on iced coffee alone! (Don’t worry I know from first-hand experience).

Next up we have one of my all-time favourite exam stress tips. “Figuring out what your “flow” is!”. This might be one that a lot of people simply just overlook but using this method is actually one of the most useful ways for me to get work done and really de-stress when I’m struggling with the January Blues. Let me step back and just explain what I mean when I say ‘flow’. By this, I’m generally referring to a group of activities or even a set of things that helps you to relax and makes you truly feel in a calm and pleasant state. Let me make this a little bit easier, for myself one way I feel like I can get myself back into my flow is through a few things! I get myself a nice cup of hot chocolate with lots of squirty cream, put on my favourite Netflix show, and turn off the lights. Figuring out what your flow is makes it much easier to calm yourself down and control your stress by referring back to these actions when needed. Your flow could be something as simple as a certain tea or even a certain type of music. Once you learn what kind of flow you can use to relax you can slowly develop further and even figure out your study flow, for example perhaps you’re able to easily get study motivated with lo-fi music and cold strawberries! Whatever it is, by identifying your flows you unlock a whole new way of managing stress and ensuring productivity! Don’t overthink it, some people merely just need to change the environment to find themselves in the right flow, whether that be to a garden or even a library, try something new out or you’ll never know!

Last but of course, as always, never least. Often in these intensive periods of stress and pressure, as I’ve mentioned, it can cause us to really forget how important we are. Whether it forgetting to eat the breakfast we deserve or simply avoiding going out to revise. One of the most important skills I have learnt in many years, that will follow me forever, “Reward Yourself Generously!”. Now, let me explain before you all run off to your pre-exam parties. A reward can literally be anything that gives you that bit of joy, that could be a new episode of “I’m a Celeb”, a night of movies and popcorn or even a meal out with your favourite people. When you finish that day of cramming or you’ve stuck to your revision timetable it’s important that you recognize how well you’ve done! Be proud of yourself and anytime you feel like having a little dance of victory, celebrate! Whether that’s with others or by giving yourself small but continuous rewards (How I did it!), don’t neglect your achievements! Heck if the idea of small scattered rewards isn’t your thing, plan to have a big reward at the end of your stretch, buy a game, go on a night out, try out that new restaurant, just always recognize how far you’ve come!

Ok, Ok, I’m done yapping. I’ll leave you back to your procrastination now, I mean studying, your studying now! I know it’s rough but I have all the hope in you, remember no matter what happens there is always a solution! Wishing you all the best of luck and all the happiness and stress-free vibes!

Your wise old owl,

Hayley x