Student Minds’ wellbeing tips for exam season | iQ Feel Good
This guide from Student Minds, one of our wellbeing partners, provides tips on how to look after yourself and manage your time effectively during exam season:
Exam season can feel intense. As exams draw closer, you might feel more pressure and find it hard to switch off. Exam stress could show up through anxiety, difficulty concentrating, poor sleep or low energy.
The important thing to remember is that you do not have to just get through this period. With the right support and small, practical steps, you can protect your wellbeing and feel more balanced while you study.
Create a routine that works for you
When everything feels urgent, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. A simple plan can help bring structure and calm.
Break your work into smaller, manageable tasks, prioritise what needs to be done first and set realistic goals for each day. This can help you avoid last-minute cramming and give you more confidence in your progress.
Focus on quality over quantity. Short, focused study sessions with regular breaks can help you stay productive without burning out.
Make your study time more effective
How you study can be more important than how long you study.
To get the most out of your study time, try active techniques like summarising information in your own words, explaining concepts out loud or applying ideas to real-life examples. These approaches can help to make things stick and keep revision engaging.
Studying with others can also help learning feel more manageable. Sharing ideas and talking through topics can boost your confidence in your knowledge, whether that’s revising with flatmates or joining a study group. Best of all, studying with others can make revision that little bit more fun.
Build in self-care moments
Looking after your wellbeing is a key part of doing well. Making time for things that boost your mood can improve your focus, mental state and motivation.
This could be going for a walk, heading to the gym, watching a film or taking a proper break with friends. Even small moments of rest can help you reset and come back to your work with more energy.
Sleep is especially important. Aiming for a consistent sleep routine can support your memory, concentration and overall wellbeing.
Use your community
One of the biggest strengths of living in student accommodation is being part of a community.
Spending time with other residents, whether that’s a quick chat in shared spaces during a study break, joining social activities or interacting with iQ Clubs on the app, can help you feel more connected during a busy time. Talking about how you’re feeling can reduce stress and remind you that others are going through similar experiences.
Stay steady on exam days
Feeling nervous before an exam is completely normal. A few small steps can help you feel more prepared and in control.
Plan ahead so you know where you need to be, give yourself enough time to get there and have everything you need ready. On the day, try to eat something, stay hydrated and take a few moments to breathe.
If you feel overwhelmed, simple breathing techniques like this one can help calm your body and refocus your mind.
Keep a balanced perspective around results
Waiting for results can be stressful, but it helps to keep a balanced view.
If things go well, take time to celebrate your hard work. If results are not what you hoped for, try to see them as part of your learning, not a reflection of your worth.
Remember, your potential is not defined by one set of results. There are always ways to move forward and opportunities ahead.
Reach out when you need it
If things start to feel too much, support is available and reaching out can make a real difference.
This might be speaking to someone you trust, exploring iQ support partners, Shout and Student Minds, connecting with university support services or accessing professional help. You do not have to handle everything on your own.
You’ve got this!
Exam season is a big moment, but it is only one part of your journey. By building in small, practical habits, staying connected and making space for what feels good, you can move through this period feeling more confident and supported.
