How to find balance during exam periods

In an old job at another university, I worked with a student who slept under his desk. He didn’t eat meals or take time away from his work. I worked with another student who spent up to 12 hours a day in the library. Another student stopped herself from going out with friends so she could revise for exams. 

I was seeing these students because they were unhappy, tired, and guilty and couldn’t produce anywhere near the amount of work their effort might suggest. There was no doubt that they were able and committed students who really wanted to do well. So, what was going on for all of them?  

A difficulty for all of them was guilt. The first student slept under his desk, because he felt guilty about time away from it. He couldn’t go and make some lunch because, in his view, this would waste valuable time. The second student spent so much time in the library because she thought that this equated to work and time outside the library didn’t. The third student felt she didn’t deserve to have fun because she had to revise. All their efforts to revise and to produce work were actively preventing them from working and retaining information. 

Balance is key. 

What was lacking in all these students’ lives was balance. They were all so exhausted, hungry, guilty, and lacking social contact that their brains and bodies were letting them down. On top of this, they all gave themselves a really hard time because they were not doing what they set out to do. Let me tell you that you are entitled to and you need food, sleep, time outside, a social life and fun during your revision and exam periods, and at all other times! 

Eat regularly meaning three meals a day, and snacks if you need them. Our bodies need food to stay alert and focussed, and certain foods support our immune response. Eating healthy food regularly supports energy levels and cognitive function. Here is a helpful BBC article. Eating regular meals also helps us to get some routine into our day.  

I know that exams are stressful, but it’s important that we sleep as well as we can during our studies. Sleeping well improves our mood, our cognitive ability, and our physical health. Find out more about sleep, including help and support from MindWell. 

Being outside in green (and blue) spaces has loads of proven benefits for our emotional and mental wellbeing. I guess we can all say that we feel happier, more alert, or relaxed when it’s sunny and warm. Turns out that being in nature helps restore our ability to concentrate and pay attention. We are so lucky in Leeds to have so many green spaces that are easy to get to. So, when the weather perks up go and have lunch on The Acre.  

If the last two years have taught us anything it’s that most people have really missed being around other people. Socialising and friendships are really important during revision too. Hanging out with friends can help relax us and give us a welcome break. Studying with friends can help us to feel less isolated and promotes shared learning. If things go well, friends will celebrate with us. If they don’t go so well, they’ll support us. Read more about how socialising improves cognitive performance here. 

Last but not least, please try not to do what my other students did. You’ve no reason to feel guilty. Guilt is an actively unhelpful emotion which negatively impacts our self-esteem, creativity, and personal development. Giving yourself a healthy, manageable routine, which balances revision with eating well, sleeping well, being outside and hanging out with people who care about you will give you a great chance of performing well in your exams. Your exams are important, but your worth is not dependant on them. There are so many things about you that are great.