How to Destress During Exam Season.

🪷 Find your zen this exam season with these helpful tips and tricks.

Exam season is a stressful time for any student. Juggling revision, assignments, and maintaining a healthy balance can feel overwhelming. It's essential to look after your living and studying environment, find healthy ways to spend your downtime, and know when and how to ask for support. In this blog, we'll explore practical tips to help you manage stress and take care of yourself during this demanding period.

Create a Productive Study Space:

📂 Keep It Organised - A clutter-free environment can enhance your focus and reduce stress. Spend a few minutes each day tidying your desk and organising your study materials. Use folders, labels, and storage solutions to keep everything in its place.

☁️🧸🛌 Make It Comfortable - Ensure your study space is comfortable. A good chair, proper lighting, and a pleasant temperature can make a significant difference in how you feel while studying. Adding personal touches like plants or photos can also create a more inviting atmosphere. Air quality can also have a huge impact on cognitive ability both long and short-term, and Utopi’s technology helps indicate something we call a ‘comfort score’, measuring a combination of factors such as noise levels, temperature, humidity, and air quality. Learn more about Utopi here. 

📵 Limit Distractions - Identify and minimise distractions in your study area. Turn off notifications on your phone, use website blockers to avoid social media, and communicate with your flatmates about your study schedule to ensure quiet times.

Healthy Downtime Activities:

🎧🤸 Exercise Regularly - Physical activity is a proven stress reliever. Incorporate short workouts, yoga sessions, or even brisk walks into your daily routine. Many universities offer free or discounted access to sports facilities—take advantage of these resources, or ask your accommodation provider if they offer any fitness classes or gym facilities.

🧗🎨Pursue a Hobby - Engaging in a hobby can provide a welcome break from studying. Whether it’s painting, playing an instrument, cooking, or bouldering, find something you enjoy and make time for it. This helps keep your mind fresh and reduces stress.

🌀🧘🌿Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation - Mindfulness techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation can help calm your mind. Apps like Headspace and Calm offer guided sessions tailored for beginners.

Ask for Support When Needed:

🙋‍♂️ Recognise When You Need Help - It's important to recognise when stress becomes overwhelming. If you find yourself feeling constantly anxious, unable to concentrate, or experiencing mood swings, it might be time to seek support.

🫂 Reach Out to Friends and Family - Talking to friends and family members can provide emotional support and help you feel connected. Sometimes, just sharing your concerns can significantly reduce stress.

🏛️ Utilise University Resources - Most universities offer various support services, including counselling, academic advising, and stress management workshops. Don’t hesitate to reach out to these services—they are there to help you succeed.

📚📝 Join Study Groups - Joining a study group can provide mutual support and make studying more enjoyable. It’s a great way to share knowledge, motivate each other, and feel less isolated during exam season.

Exam season is tough, but with the right strategies, you can manage stress and take care of your well-being. 

Starting with your living space, ensuring you have an environment that is supportive of cognitive ability and proper rest will give you the head start you need to tackle exam season. By creating a productive study environment, engaging in healthy downtime activities, and knowing when to seek support, you'll be better equipped to navigate this challenging time. Remember, it's important to look after yourself—your health and well-being come first. Good luck with your exams!

If you have any questions about how Utopi can support a comfortable environment in your accommodation, please get in touch with your accommodation provider, or read our FAQs.