DEALING WITH EXAM STRESS

Yes, my tea really is that milky.

Exam season has reared it's ugly head once again. No one enjoys it, no matter how much you love the subject you're studying. The library's full. Your room's a mess as you don't have time to tidy it. Your mind says hummus and pitta but your summer bod says salad with no dressing. Overall it's just a very, very stressful time. Whether you're doing GCSEs, A-levels or Finals, everyone can benefit from these top tips to de-stress whilst studying.

Take a break
Revision breaks are an absolute must. You can't sit there and concentrate on one subject for hours on end, it's just not physically possible. Scientists say you should adopt the Pomodoro technique - 20 minutes of work and 5 minutes of rest. Although I don't use this technique religiously, I do make sure I have plenty of breaks and switch up the subjects I'm studying as to not get bored.

Exercise
Now I'm not asking you to run a marathon or do an intense session in the gym (but if you're up for that then GO YOU, BOO!) but I find getting up off my arse really helps motivate me.. even if that is just to walk to the fridge. Jokes aside, walking in the fresh air on a nice day can really help to clear your mind and help you to feel refreshed. I like to walk around the local park on my revision break - kill 2 birds with one stone!

Don't burn yourself out
You don't want to burn the candle at both ends during the exam period. If you work better in the mornings, perhaps go to bed a little earlier to ensure you get enough sleep. Similarly if you work better in the evenings, there's no point finishing your work at 3am then trying to wake up at 7am! You'll just be exhausted for the rest of the day and end up getting less done that if you'd woken up at 11am.

Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is really important for brain function, and being dehydrated can give you headaches which are not fun when you're studying! Keep a bottle of water by your desk (preferably a big one so you don't have to fill it up) and remember to just sip on it every now and then. Your whole body will thank you for it.

Have something to look forward to
This can be in the short term or the long term, but it will make you feel more motivated to get your work done sharpish! For example, maybe have your favourite meal for dinner after a long day of studying. Or even plan a night out with your besties after your last exam! I've got a holiday planned at the end of June with my friends to Malaga and I can't wait. Remember, exam period is only temporary but the results are permanent...

So there we have my top five tips on how to make exam season a little bit less stressful. Of course, it's nothing groundbreaking but I think we all need reminding every now and then! 

I've got my end of first year exams in a few weeks and I'm so nervy, praying the Dentistry Gods will help me.

Have you got any studying tips?

Love, Liv x