Nobody looks forwards to the time of year when you have to sit down and prove that everything you’ve been taught so far has sunk-in. Exams and Finals can suck; instead of late night parties or trips to the movies, you’re more likely to be cramming at midnight and drinking Starbucks at weird times to keep you awake (the joy of it all). There are a few things you can do to help ease the pressure somewhat and get you through your most dreaded part of the semester; anything’s worth a try, right?
Okay, so the thought of doing anything other than sitting at your desk and reading, writing, and typing, might seem like a stretch (no pun intended). However, taking 30 minutes to an hour each day to get up, get out, and move your muscles, will have a positive impact on both your physical and mental health. Fresh air will clear your head, and getting your circulation working for you, will help to relieve any cramps, aches, and pains that you’ve gained through hunching over a laptop for hours.
Try walking or jogging (or why not go the whole hog and run) around campus; you’ll have the flexibility to do as much or as little as want, but remember, any exercise at all is better than none. If there’s a yoga or aerobics class; take the time to do it, and you’ll not only be working out, but you’ll make human contact again, which might be a nice break from talking to your cactus. Check out this article: Regular Exercise Changes the Brain, to Improve Memory & Thinking Skills and learn more about why you should get moving more.
Think About what You’re Consuming
You might be craving pizza, candy, and coffee as you study; however, these high-sugar, high-carb foods are going to hit your body with a quick pick-me-up, but you’ll end up crashing hard not so long afterward. Once you’ve come down from a sugar high, it’s difficult to concentrate and retain any information; making these sorts of foods an unwise choice for study snacks. Choose slow energy release foods, that will nourish your body and brain, like wholemeal toast with peanut butter, and any vegetable based meal you can get your hands on. You can celebrate with ice cream after the exams are over.
If you feel like you need a boost when it comes to your energy levels and your brain’s ability to retain information; Nootropics are becoming ever more popular with students and the like. They are said to enhance cognitive skills, which is why people are looking into them more, especially around exam time. If you’ve never heard of the stimulant before, you can take a look at this article: Noopept: In-depth Review of Usage, Effects, Stacks & More to see what they’re all about.
There’s no use in struggling with mental stress, as it will only take its toll on your body and brain; so try and do all you can to stay cool, calm and collected. You’re obviously going to have pre-exam nerves, but having a stress-free mind will give you clarity and the ability to utilize all those hours you’ve put into revising. Be kind to yourself, try meditation techniques, take a hot shower, or give yourself some time to take your mind off it all, and you’ll be fresh and ready to take on and ace each of your exams. Good luck, you’ve got this!
I hope you enjoyed the post!
Thanks so much for reading, as always <3
Xoxo, Rae
Sydnee Simper says
Hi Rae!
These tips are so helpful, I am also in college and I totally agree with all of these. Final exams are rough so we all need all the help we can get, lol! Also, I love your blog and everything it stands for! If you have any tips to help a new a blogger out I’d love to know!
🙂 Sydnee
http://www.simplysydnee.com