Self-Care During Exams

Tis the season to prep up, and not give up!

Photo by Sarah McPherson

The semester is already coming to an end — was it not January just two weeks ago? Well, time has passed as smoothly as a boat being rowed downstream, and now, it is time to unfurl the sails and prepare for the storm!

While midterms, assignments, and presentations may have caused some students to experience burnout throughout the semester, I expect that the final exams will take a heavy toll on many of us. Exam preparations are in full swing as the clock ticks, but this is also the time when some students tend to neglect self-care as they work on scoring strategies for their final exams.

Feeling overwhelmed during this time is common, but there are things you can do to alleviate some of the stress and focus better on your exams.

The Argus talked to Sai Prashanti Bhamidipati, who is in her first year of a Masters in Mechanical Engineering. Being the only female student in her program and living away from home, she had some good tips to share on how she manages everything from studying and working part-time to eating good food and sleeping well:

1. Prioritize and Manage:

Although her courses are challenging, Bhamidipati says that she has adjusted to the system. Many a time, she has an overwhelming list of things to do, but she tries to manage things by setting their priority. She says, “It all lies in the way you take it. You already know your deadlines, so break down the tasks, and complete the portions assigned for a day on that day itself.”

2. Make Your Health a Priority:

Bhamidipati emphasizes that “prioritizing your health is very important.” She makes sure that she is eating well by cooking regularly even if she feels she doesn’t have time. During the exam season when she has to focus more on studying, she either eats ready-to-eat meals or fruits instead of consuming junk food because one cannot afford to fall sick during this crucial time. Drinking enough water is also important as it benefits both your physical and mental health. Bhamidipati comments, “Stay hydrated, kids.”

3. Rest Well:

Good health does not only come from eating well — you also need to sleep well in order to avoid having panic attacks or getting easily distracted. Bhamidipati makes sure that she is getting at least six hours of sleep every night.

4. Do Something Creative When Stressed Out:

Bhamidipati says, “When I feel stressed out, I just start coloring. It really de-stresses me.” Do anything that helps you relax your tense muscles. Paint, sing, write, dance, take a walk, do a face mask, or even talk to a friend — you just need to let some good energy flow and bring you back on track!

5. Last-Minute Calming Strategy:

Most of us have last-minute nerve-racking fears of not having studied enough, but in worrying about what you have not covered, you are wasting time in which you could have brushed up on more familiar concepts. The trick is to secure marks in the concepts you are good at.

We need to remember that doing well on a test should not come at the cost of one’s health, so have a good bath before you get back to writing that research paper!