Its that time of year again. Students are digging out their regulation black biros and clear pencil cases, ready to spend hours in a clammy sports hall, serenaded by the metronome of an invigilator’s footsteps pacing around the room.
As a University drop out, it could be said I have fairly minimal experience of the intense pressure and anxiety spawned by the impending doom of summer exams. What I do have, however, is ample time to dream up ways to maximise your revision breaks.
The majority of teachers, professors and productivity gurus recommend adopting a study method which involves structuring breaks into your intervals of focussed work. For example, the popular ‘Pomodoro Method’ features 25 minute work blocks, followed by 5 minute breaks. After four consecutive work intervals, these breaks are extended to 15 to 30 minutes.
Vital to refreshing the brain and avoiding mental burnout, this technique is proven to increase information retention, but I think we should be making more of these rest periods…
A vacation for your little grey cells
Grabbing a glass of water or a cup of tea is pretty commonplace. Its also pretty boring. For just £6.99 of your hard earned cash, amazon offer a 100pc pack of cocktail accessories. From the classic paper umbrella, to some very fetching flamingo sticks, there are bountiful ways in which one could turn a refreshment into a full blown experience.
What’s more, beverages made from berries may improve your cognitive performance, thanks to their antioxidant content increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain. Consequently blueberry smoothies with cocktail accessories may not only assist you in finding some fun within your stressful exam period, but could boost your grades too. How iconic.
(Cocktail Accesories)
Get creative
Stuck for ideas to distance yourself from your dissertation? Turn your Pomodoro breaks into miniature craft workshops.
Whether its crochet, painting, or even good old loom bands, engaging in creative activities can help focus the mind and produce endorphins, regardless of your artistic ability.
Shops like The Works, or The Range often have affordable craft supplies, and can act as a source of inspiration for your new hobby too.
Learning a new skill is fun, but creativity can also improve the strength of neural pathways to the hippocampus which in turn creates strong pathways to memories. Consequently, you can knit a scarf and better recall the periodic table. Result.
Take your daily endorphin boost to the next level
Another science – backed method for managing exam stress is exercise. Though it may feel counterproductive to hit the gym when drowning in an eternally widening ocean of flashcards, exercise actually oxygenates the brain, enabling you to keep calm and study more effectively. Essentially, training is a sure fire way to prime your mind to absorb all those important academic facts, so it might even be worth getting up an hour earlier to squeeze it in.
The best part is that exercise doesn’t have to be boring or a chore.
If you’re on a budget, financially or time-wise, YouTube can be emporium of funky workouts, varying in length and intensity. One of my personal favourites is this “15 minute dancehall inspired cardio dance workout”. I cannot dancer the life of me, but busting out some releases vast amounts of endorphins, making it an ideal stress-buster. What’s more, in the safety of your dorm room, literally nobody is watching.
Joe Wicks HIIT sessions also offer fab, feel good sweats in just a few minutes, and if you fancy something more chilled there are hundred of yoga and pilates classes available for free on the web.
A little more time on your hands? Then try something wacky. Aerial hoops, pole dancing and themed spin classes are becoming increasingly popular and easy to find. Whether you go it alone or rope in some pals, these athletic pursuits can transform your outlook on the day, and shower your brain and body in benefits.
Obviously there is a cost associated with this, but if there is ever a time when you deserve a treat, its now. Furthermore, some studios, such as 1Rebel, offer student discount, so its always a good idea to enquire.
Turn dinner into a date
It doesn’t have to be with a romantic partner, but making teatime an occasion can help make life feel that little bit less intense.
Light a candle, sit at an actual table, and whack on the ambient tunes. This isn’t a waste of time. First of all, you need to eat anyway, so this isn’t taking any extra hours away from your study schedule. Secondly, the brain simply can’t continue to absorb information for 12 hours a day, and there becomes a point where more revision becomes futile – its at this point when its time to settle down for a nourishing meal.
Having a tasty feast to look forward to after a hard day in the library is extremely motivating. Its also possible to chef up scran that can boost your grades. Berries, citrus fruits, nuts, eggs, avocados and salmon, can all enhance memory, focus, and concentration.
The best part; dark chocolate is on this list too.
So, hit up Lidl and get planning – it might just be your recipe to a first class honours.
If you’re lucky enough to be studying near family and friends from outside uni, inviting them to share a meal can act as escapism, helping put the world into perspective. Though flatmates and study buddies are brilliant, they are in the same stressful situation as you, so may find it hard to detach, resulting in conversation ebbing back to academic toil.
The conclusion
Exams are stressful. Exam season can be pretty grim. None of these methods will magically make your anxiety disappear, or guarantee exemplar grades. Regardless, they can help bring a little joy into your day without sacrificing vital study hours.
You’ve got this!
The Sprightly Spud 
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