Every year, we make New Year's resolutions for our lives. From personal growth to academic achievement. However, with exams around the corner, some might feel a bit overwhelmed. Do I relax, or do I panic? Well, look no further! In this blog, I will share some of my and my friends’ tips and tricks for dealing with exam stress!

1. Find a study spot that works for you

For me personally, I enjoy studying in the UB studios. They allow me the space and ability to talk out loud when needed, but also to not be distracted by the clickety-clack of other students. However, when the UB is fully booked, I opt for a cafe. There are many cafes around the city, with a nice cup of coffee and noise-cancelling headphones, they can also be just perfect!

2. Start a ritual

I already hinted at my ritual in the previous point, but a good cuppa goes a long way. Either from home or from somewhere in the city, a warm drink or a short walk can help get you in the zone.

Of course, the coffee works for me, but make sure to find what works for you!!

3. Do you work alone or in a group?

Some people like to study alone, while others benefit from a study group. Both have their advantages! When studying alone, you can set the pace, but it also means you might not speak to anyone for a long time.

There are two types of group study sessions. One where you all have the same exam and are studying together. It allows you to split up work and act as “teachers”, also making you an expert in different topics.

Once a couple of my friends and I split up the work by weeks, we had to go over the readings, then make notes for the rest. By doing this, it limited the stress of going over all 7 weeks, and you know what they say, “if you can’t explain a topic, you don’t know it well enough”.

The other type of group study session is that everyone has their own thing, but just being in the same location helps keep you accountable. All three have their benefits; it just depends on what you prefer!

4. Take regular breaks

I get it. Sometimes you reach this flow state, and you just don’t want to stop. However, taking a break is imperative to you not being stressed. The break can be used to go eat some food or to take a quick walk. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you press pause!

5. Imagine a dog is next to you

Last year, I took part in one of the sessions offered by the Student Service Centre. There, I was told to imagine a small dog next to my foot whenever I felt the stress and anxiety setting in. At first, I did not believe this could help, but lo and behold, it did. Imagining there is a small dog you can pet and ask to leave helps calm your nervous system. Of course, if you are a cat person, picture a cat.

6. Try to get a good night's sleep

I get it. You are stressed, and you can’t sleep. However, sleeping allows your brain to relax and repair itself.

Now to some tips from friends! 

Julia – International Relations Student

“I actually need a bit of pressure to really get going, but I always try to start early so the pressure stays manageable. I’m quite old-fashioned in how I study: I write summaries first and then use markers when I read through my own notes. Once I’ve written something down, it usually sticks. I also prefer studying in a quiet spot with other people around who are also working, like the university library. It helps me concentrate without feeling isolated.”

Suzanne – Marketing Management Student

“In my opinion, good planning is really the key during a busy exam period. Without a plan, you quickly lose overview and become stressed. I personally like to start studying early and dedicate an entire day to one course. This way, you can really dive deep into the material. For others, it works better to divide the day into study blocks for different courses, because they need more variety. Try both methods and find out what works best for you!

And one more thing: what really helps me remember the material better is studying in different ways. Rewatch lecture recordings (when available), make summaries, do practice exams, and make use of all the tools at my disposal. For example, I always let a tool create a podcast from the study material. Are you cycling or doing the dishes? Then you can turn on the podcast and hear the study material from yet another perspective.”

I hope these tips and tricks help guide you during this exam period! Good Luck!!