It’s that time of the school year again: exam time.
All right, I have those two papers to do and exams start in two weeks. I have a lot of work to finish but its fine. I’ve got this. No worries.
A week later: Okay, so I’ve finished one paper and still have another one to do. Exams are around the corner and I haven’t really started studying yet... No, no, it’s fine. No need to panic. I’ve got this. I’ll just pull an all-nighter and get this paper done tonight. I do have to work tomorrow morning… but it’s cool. I’ve got this. No worries.
The next day: I got through the paper. It isn’t my best work but what matters is it’s done. I need to start studying anyway. I don’t have that much time to study today but I can study for the next week-and-a-half. Oh man, that’s a lot of information to memorize now that I think about it. Okay. It’s fine. I’ll just hand in the paper, go to work, and start studying tonight. Yeah, that’s fine. I’ve got this. No worries.
Next week: I have a few days before my first exam and I’ve been studying but there’s work, volunteering, and I’m always exhausted. “Am I okay?” you ask. Sure, I’m great. “Am I stressed?” you continue. Stressed? No. No way. Stressed, what is that? Stressed isn’t in my vocabulary. I’ve got this under control. I’ll just power through my full day of classes, chug a gallon of coffee tonight after work and keep on cramming. I mean, studying…
Unfortunately, scenarios like these are common for university students who procrastinate or have too much on their plate. Post-secondary students have to focus on a variety of aspects like school, assignments, exams, jobs, extracurricular activities—all while trying to fit sleep into the mix. It can be too much to handle without finding time to sit back and relax.
Adults who have been through this stage in their lives say “don’t procrastinate” or “if you had done this ahead of time, you wouldn’t be so stressed out.” But most of the time advice like this falls into the easier-said-than-don” category. Procrastination is something every student faces and can lead to leaving things to the last minute. I happen to be a chronic procrastinator who leaves things to the night before which coincidentally happens to be when I have the least time.
Finding the time to relax and de-stress is important not only during exam time but throughout the entire year. Without stress relief, symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, denial, chronic sighing, and an increasing addiction to coffee start to occur. (Okay, maybe that’s just me.) All jokes aside, being overwhelmed and dealing with too much at one time can be harmful in more ways than one.
The majority of people that find themselves in apprehensive situations like these need something to relieve their anxiety: take a walk, do yoga, meditate, or read a book. The options are endless; you just have to find what works for you. So, to all of you fellow students out there struggling during this time trying to survive your exams: go out and get zen!
Just breathe, buckle down, and you’ll do great.