Midterms and final exams week can be the most stressful period of your academic life. It’s essential to prioritize your well-being during this crucial time. Personal care before exams can enhance your knowledge and focus, likely leading to success on your assessments. Consider these self-care tips to take care of yourself during exam season.
Keep reading to learn more about how to look after yourself before your exams.
Make a Study Routine
It can be overwhelming to juggle academics, family, friends, and taking care of yourself; creating an organized study schedule can ease your mind. Create a routine for each day leading up to the exams. Include the concepts you will need to review, other errands you may need to run, and taking breaks to spend time with yourself. A well–planned routine can allow you to remember what to expect each day, so you do not have to overwork yourself and prioritize what’s important.
Create a Peaceful Study Environment
Whether you live with your family or alone, creating a serene study space for yourself would be helpful. If you have a spare room, you can make it your “study room” or set up a study area in a quiet place in your bedroom. St Cecelia Interparochial Catholic School, a Pre-K through 8 grade school, recommends a spot with “plenty of natural light” to boost your “mood and energy levels.” With a specific study area, you can free yourself from distractions. Looking out the window can reduce your stress levels.
Eat Healthy and Stay Hydrated!
Eating healthy and staying hydrated before your exams is not only beneficial to your physical health, but also keeps your mind in a clear state. According to the National Library of Medicine, the world’s largest biomedical library and national resource for health professionals, the world’s largest biomedical library and national resource for health professionals, the brain is made of 75% water. Research shows that staying hydrated “improves cognitive performance.” Although the brain craves high-sugar and high-fat foods during high stress, what you eat can affect your ability to think and work. Make sure to eat healthy and hearty meals before your exams, and never forget to stay hydrated!
Get Enough Rest
You may plan to pull all-nighters with studying, but cramming will only deteriorate your mental and physical health. Sacrificing sleep to study the night before the exam is not worth it. According to research from the National Library of Medicine, skipping sleep can harm your “productivity” and “performance” on the test day.
Remember to get eight hours of sleep every night leading up to the exam. A fresh, well-rested mind will strengthen your brain and prepare you to excel.
Conclusion
Exam season causes many students to forfeit their health and dedicate their entire time to studying. However, it is imperative to cultivate some “me” time amid preparing for exams. Remember, for a successful midterm or finals, make a study routine, create a distraction-free study environment, eat healthy and stay hydrated, and get enough rest.
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