Exam Season Self-Care Tips & Resources

Dec 5th, 2022

Exam Season Self Care Student Wellness. Various colourful self care and academic illustrations

Exams are a busy and stressful time for students! Putting some time aside to practice self-care during these stressful times is increasingly important to help support both your mental and physical health.

TIP 1: Schedule in study breaks

While studying it is important to take purposeful breaks. Research has shown that purposeful 5–60-minute breaks while studying allow your brain to refresh and your body to increase its energy. This increase in energy allows you to be more productive and be more focused. Try to fit in a walk during your next study session or a snack to help keep your energy up!

TIP 2: Sleep well, especially before exams!

Good sleep is always important and not sleeping well can impair the skills you need to do well on exams.
  • Stay off your phone half an hour before you plan to sleep try to read a book or journal before bed to relax your mind.
  • Cut out caffeine after 3pm and try not to eat too close to bedtime.
  • Plan a bedtime routine so your body can plan to shut down for the night and you get a restful night's sleep

TIP 3: Don't forget to eat!

Food is fuel! Give your body all the nutrients that it needs to function at its best. This includes drinking water, eating fruits and veggies, and getting enough protein and vitamins in.

TIP 4: After studying a lot of material, take time to breathe.

The stress of an exam can be very unpleasant. Taking some time to breathe and be mindful, after every batch of questions can help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety you may be feeling during your exam. Try these Deep Breathing Exercises

TIP 5: Keep up with physical activity

You can recharge your energy and get a good distraction by going for a stroll, stretching for a while, or practicing some quick yoga. You'll probably feel more concentrated when you get back to your work if you give yourself permission to take a break from it and turn your brain off for a while.

TIP 6: Prioritize your time! Be mindful of time allocation.

Exam season can fly by quickly! Stay on track by writing in a calendar or planner. Set aside enough time to study for each of your finals, being sure to schedule in those much-needed breaks!

TIP 7: Keep a strong support network. 

During exams it’s important to keep a strong support network. Let friends and family know that you may need more support than usual, because it’s exam season. There are also resources on campus that can help you if you need to talk.


Resources

Student Support Network (SSN): 

Drop-in peer support provided by extensively trained student volunteers who provide confidential, non-judgmental listening and support to other students. More info and hours at wellness.uoguelph.ca/ssn

Counselling Services Academic Support Resources: 

Are you struggling with your academic commitments? Depending on your situation, there may be specific academic supports that can be considered. Learn more.

Peer Wellness Educators:

Our team of Peer Helpers facilitates events and workshops aimed at supporting students in managing their stress, building connections, and improving their well-being. They also create educational content for social media on a variety of topics. Follow us on Instagram & our GryphLife page for upcoming events.

Academic Resources: 

The University of Guelph Library offers several free resources to help students succeed academically. Learn study skills, meet with course-specific study groups, or meet with a program counsellor to get started on the right foot.