This time of year, with longer days and warmer weather coincides with school and university exams. As a result, students may feel stuck indoors revising for their exams and unable to enjoy themselves due to the pressure that exam season brings. 

For those doing GCSEs, A levels, and university exams, it may feel like these exams determine whether they can progress in their chosen career/life. Whether you have worked hard or not during the course/s, the added pressure can really take it's toll so it's important to look after your wellbeing.  
 

Make a plan

A study plan is an important tool for keeping on top of things and managing the stress. A good study plan should allow equal amounts of time for each subject and have built in rewards to maintain motivation and provide a sense of achievement. A reward may be as little as half an hour to listen to music or do something fun or the evening off to meet up with a friend. 
 

Work with a friend

Studying with a friend who is doing the same subject as you can be helpful as it can seem less isolating and you can pool your knowledge and learn from each other.
 

Mix things up a bit

A good way to arrange your study time is to use different techniques throughout the day so that you don't get bored. You might look at your notes and write down key points, listen to related podcasts or audio books, do small experiments or activities that help, answer past exam questions, or talk to a friend about a topic and see what you both understand about it. Everyone learns in their own way and approaching a topic in different ways can really help you understand and remember important information more easily. 
 

Allow time to de-stress

It's also vital to build in some activities that help you release stress. These may be trips to the gym, walks in the park (alone or with a friend), a yoga class, a run, doing a meditation session, reading a book, a relaxing bath, etc. There are so many things you can do and while you may feel worried that you taking time out of studies, building some of these activities into your day will allow you to reset your stress level and help prevent it becoming a long-term problem. 
 

Look after the basics

And in addition to all of the above, remember to eat nutritious foods, try not to skip meals, and go to bed at a decent time to allow you to wake up feeling refreshed and able to focus on your studies. 
 

Talk to someone

If you feel things are getting out of control and your mood is suffering, speak to a friend or family member who you trust or seek support from a professional who can help you develop strategies to cope with the stress you are feeling.
 

More support for exam stress

For more tips visit our webpage at https://www.firstpsychology.co.uk/exam-stress

You can also find out more on this topic and watch our free webinar recording at https://www.firstpsychology.co.uk/news-detail.php?ID=115