Here are just a few suggestions to help you destress through exam season. I hope they help!

1. Create a study plan. 

Planning ahead helps to keep us in control. This can help to lower anxiety and help us retain information. You can create this plan by starting to study a few weeks before your exam. Start with small increments every day instead of information overload 2 days before your exam. This helps to feel more organized and less overwhelmed. 

2. Take regular breaks. 

These are so important to help with our attention span. You can't retain anything if you're sitting and studying for hours at a time. I would suggest studying for 20-25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break. After doing this 4 times, take a longer break for about 15 minutes. During your break, don't just endlessly scroll on social media. Do some breathing exercises. This can help lower stress and improve focus. 

3. Be healthy. 

This includes a variety of different activities. To start exercising helps to clear the mind. A short 15-minute walk helps to produce endorphins, which opens up your mind to studying. Getting enough sleep is also essential for our brains to retain information. Lack of consistent sleep can cause stress and make it so you can't concentrate. Eating well is also good for the brain. Nutrient-dense foods can help stabilize the body to keep going through the day instead of having highs and lows. 

4. Talk to someone.

A lot of us like to shut out our friends and just focus on work. But we have to remember that conversations help us to not feel isolated. This can be a much-needed break while studying since the process can be pretty lonely. 

5. Hobbies. 

Take up something like a craft or sport. Drawing, coloring, or soccer can all help to destress. This can be an escape from what we are doing. By incorporating a hobby into our routines, we can effectively manage stress, especially during exam season.