5 ways to keep stress at bay when studying

It’s no secret that the exam season is stressful. Sometimes you might feel so overwhelmed that you can’t see a way to push through. Building up your resilience can help give you the confidence and strength to manage your revision process and sit your exams in a way that’s as stress free as possible. 

1. set realistic goals

Before you set off studying for the day, create a plan of action with realistic goals. Think realistically about how much you can achieve in a day and create a timetable with breaks throughout and ensure you manage your sleep efficiently. Remember, it’s about how much quality time you spend studying, not just the amount of time. 

Giving yourself structure and something to work towards will help keep you motivated and lessen procrastination. If you need additional tools, there are various online resources available to help you plan your day – find an option that works for you. 

2. reward success 

Maintaining momentum during revision can be hard, so it’s important to find something to keep you going. Reward yourself for completing a mock paper or for developing your understanding of certain areas. What that reward looks like is up to you, but it’s important to give yourself smaller, short-term rewards in order to keep you going. 

3. look after your physical and mental health

Pushing yourself too hard can lead to burnout and stress. Keep an eye on your mental wellbeing and ensure to take plenty of breaks and seek professional support if you need it. Through caba you can access Qwell, a service for you to access immediate professional support and to talk to others in similar situations. Remember, help is always available. 

You might also find that studying that you skip the gym and live off coffee and ready meals which, while convenient, isn’t doing your body and mind any favours. Break up revision with a workout or run, and reach for quick, healthy snacks as pick-me-ups. 

4. find a way of studying that works for you 

Everyone is different. Some people might retain every word they ever read, but that doesn’t mean you should bury your head in books if it doesn’t work for you. Instead, try: 

• flash cards 

• study groups 

• past papers 

• interactive learning platforms 

5. don’t put too much pressure on yourself 

Of course, you want to succeed and ace your exams, but it’s important to not put too much pressure on yourself, as this will only cause you more stress on exam day. Instead, remind yourself that failing a test is not the end of the world, and there are options available should this happen. 

At caba, we look for ways to help you in any shape or form you need it, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team if you do have any concerns.