Dealing With Exam Stress and Anxiety
By Rebecca Maher on April 6th, 2023
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Dealing with exam stress
University deadlines and exams can be stressful. To help you deal with exam stress and anxiety, we’ve put together some useful tips to help you minimise the stress and help you feel prepared to tackle everything that exams bring.
Watch For Signs of Stress
Exam periods can affect how we think, feel, and behave. By understanding the triggers that exam time can cause, you can avoid putting pressure on yourself and learn how to stay calm. Here are common signs of stress and anxiety that you may experience when dealing with exam stress.
- Feelings of Worry or Tensity
- Headaches
- Stomach Pain
- Trouble Sleeping
- Irritability
- Lack of Interest in Food
- Overeating
- Loss of Interest in Previously Enjoyed Activities
- Negative or Low Mood
- Hopelessness
Get Support
Talk to friends, family and even your lecturers if you are feeling overwhelmed. You may not be able to meet face to face, so schedule some video calls with your favourite people for something to look forward to. Sometimes just talking about your feelings can help reduce stress and anxiety. It helps to get it out of your system, and by speaking to others they may even have practical tips to help you with dealing with exam stress.
Vocalise Your Feelings
If you need help, ask for it! For example if you speak to your lecturer, they will have spoken to lots of students who will be going through similar experiences.
Eat & Drink Well
It might seem quick and easy to eat fast food and drink energy drinks to power through revision sessions, but maintaining a healthy and balanced diet can help reduce stress and anxiety. Instead, opt for whole food like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. Read more on how to stay healthy on a budget.
Get Enough Sleep
A good night’s sleep is so important to be able to focus. Lack of sleep will only worsen stress and anxiety.
Practise self-care
Self-care is the little things we do to look after our mental health physically, emotionally, and mentally. What works for one person may not work for someone else. It is all about doing what makes us feel good. Downing Students residences regularly provide students with freebies, so make sure you take full advantage of this. Whether it is breakfast before lectures, hot drinks, snacks you name it!
Social Activities
Having fun in between studying is always needed. Take part in social events in your student accommodation. For example, in our Verde property, our residents enjoyed decorating flowerpots for University
Likewise, at Exeter’s The Kingfisher property, you can enjoy Mental Health Day with a relaxing pamper session, with free products from Lush to help students relax and unwind.
Take Breaks
Regular breaks can include taking a walk, exercising, or enjoying a short mindfulness activity.
Practise relaxation techniques
Deep breathing, meditation or yoga can help you calm your mind, and reduce stress.
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Tips For Dealing with Exam Stress
Remember, lots of people experience stress and feel anxious at some point during exam periods. Being prepared, learning to stay calm and taking care of yourself, will allow you to perform at your best.
Be prepared- the best way to reduce exam stress is to be well prepared. Make a revision schedule, organize your notes, and set aside time each day to study, with regular breaks in between.
Stay positive- try to stay calm and positive with a focus on your strengths. You are more than capable of smashing those deadlines and exams!
Keep it in perspective- you will hear this a lot, but exams aren’t everything. Once the exam is over, try to forget about it. There is nothing you can do about it, and you can still be successful in life afterwards.
Remember: Exams are Temporary
Don’t forget that exams are a small part of your university journey and that your worth and success are not defined by the outcome of exam results. remind yourself of your long-term goals and the reasons why you are furthering your education. For some extra tips to combat stress, here are Liverpool’s The Arch resident James’s top tips.
