It’s that time of the year again: sunkissed light nights, populated beer gardens and the light flurry of Crookes Valley Park blossom floating among the breeze. Spring has arrived in Sheffield, a glorious treat that can only be chased by one thing: the looming presence of exam season. Whether you study an exam or assignment based subject, the pressure of such a towering workload can be overwhelming to even the most organised of workers. This stress is even backed by research, with a study led by UCL finding that the more academic pressure young people are under, the more they suffer with mental health issues. However, with the right mindset and some mindful working practices, we can overcome this strain and combat exam season scaries with a healthy routine. To help lift such a load, I contacted students from a variety of courses, and asked them how they tackle such a monumental phase of our academic year.
When feeling bogged down with mountains of revision and academic readings, it can feel easy to retreat into hibernation mode. While working in the comfort of your own home may be beneficial for some, I personally find that a change of scenery not only boosts my productivity, but makes me feel more proactive and motivated. With a campus full of enriching study spaces, why not make use of the facilities that the university has to offer? One student commented that they try to leave the house every day, as that daily dose of sunlight is hugely important to their wellness. For me, I also feel that working on campus with friends can be a huge morale boost, even if just in silent study! Having that team of people around you and in the same boat as you can quell any feelings of loneliness gathered under the piles of textbooks. Not only this, working with others can benefit your studies too, with the Sheffield Hallam Students Union website listing revising with others and testing each other as a key tip for boosting productivity.
Harking back to sunlight, spending moments outside and utilising the spring weather can be a great way to clear your mind. Another student said that they like to sit and eat lunch outside in the park, and with the plethora of green spaces peppered amongst Sheffield, this is an easy and achievable tip! Soaking in as much vitamin D as possible is only going to boost your mental health, with mental health charity Mind reinforcing that spending time in nature helps combat feelings of anxiety. That extra breath of fresh air can give you the boost you need to recharge your mind, and tackle the next task on your list.
As well as clearing the mind, however, it’s important to fuel your body too. Multiple students that I interviewed stated that having three nutritious meals a day is a key way to look after yourself amid times of stress, and maintain both mental and physical strength. After all, you can’t power through your workload on an empty tank! I appreciate that cooking can feel like another task on an already bulging to-do list, but designating some time to batch cook can be the perfect cheat to nourishing yourself throughout the week on a time crunch. A student I interviewed said that meal prepping helps them massively during exam season, as after long days of studying it can be hard to find the effort to cook. By ticking this box beforehand, the hard work has been done for you! And while health is important, rewarding yourself with some treats is vital too. One student stated that they boost their morale with the odd sweet treat, a tip that I highly agree with. In a time that can feel boring and lacklustre, it helps to have little rewards to look forward to, whether that be an SU shop snack run, or a yummy IC coffee or meal deal.
Moreover, fuelling yourself not only with food but with rest and routine can help you feel better too. One student stated that waking up early enhances their mood and productivity, a fact backed up by research. Healthline states that waking up early improves your sleep quality and therefore boosts your energy, as well as helping you concentrate. Even if early mornings are not your thing, getting enough sleep is another vital part of improving your own wellness. It’s a known fact that adults should be getting around 8 hours of sleep each night, however this can be difficult when under intense stress such as that of exam season. I find that journaling before bed can help alleviate any tension I am carrying into my evening, clearing my mind before welcoming a good nights’ sleep.
Finally, multiple students agreed that organising your time effectively and adding structure to your day is a great productivity booster. Particularly in times when you are balancing essays and revision with an already loaded timetable, make sure to prioritise your workload, and set out a written plan at the start of each day to provide a sense of direction. Adding to this, a student stated that taking scheduled breaks can prevent burn-out, and help maintain boundaries. However, the most important thing, as mentioned by another student, is to listen to your body. While a plan is beneficial, make sure to take breaks whenever you feel overworked, and don’t push through if you’re feeling exhausted. Not only does this damage your mental health, it also yields a lower quality of work, demonstrating the importance of being kind to yourself and paying attention to your needs.
Overall, it goes without saying that there is no one size fits all when it comes to exam season. Each student is unique, and has different ways to stay focused and look after themselves in times of pressure. The most important thing is to treat yourself kindly, and try not to sacrifice your wellness in the name of academic success. And take it from a fourth year- try to enjoy your time at uni, even the hard parts, while you can! Those endless library days with your friends don’t last forever, and you may end up missing the silly between-work chats and sweet treat runs in the end.
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