{"id":2384,"date":"2022-05-09T10:35:08","date_gmt":"2022-05-09T09:35:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/?p=2384"},"modified":"2022-05-11T12:40:26","modified_gmt":"2022-05-11T11:40:26","slug":"finding-your-exam-calm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/2022\/05\/09\/finding-your-exam-calm\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding your exam calm"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s exam season, and you\u2019ve got a million things rushing through your brain. Your friends and family are saying: &#8220;it will all be fine, just try and relax&#8221;. But all you\u2019re thinking is: &#8220;how can I relax? This is my future!&#8221; We get it, 100%. Here are our tried and tested techniques to help you manage any feelings of anxiety or nervousness during your exams.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/files\/2022\/05\/WF_DV6A9324.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2395\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/files\/2022\/05\/WF_DV6A9324.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4500\" height=\"3000\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><b>1. <\/b><b>Give yourself a break<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">And we mean literally and figuratively. It\u2019s very easy to burnout during exam time, so paying close attention to what your mind and body need is key to keeping those nerves at bay. Remember, exam success doesn\u2019t define you as a person. Everyone copes differently, and there\u2019s far more to who you are than how well you respond to exam pressure.\u00a0 <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Make it a priority to unwind after each exam: go for food with friends, or choose something nice to cook at home; catch up on a Netflix series; let off some steam in the gym; or chill in the tub. Whatever you choose, the aim is to give your brain some respite and prevent you from fixating on your exam performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"11\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">If you need to continue revision for upcoming exams, make sure you have frequent breaks. We can only concentrate effectively for 30\u201345 minutes at a time, so shackling yourself to your desk will be counterproductive. Apps such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forestapp.cc\/\">Forest<\/a> use the <a href=\"https:\/\/todoist.com\/productivity-methods\/pomodoro-technique\">Pomodoro<\/a> method which can help you achieve the balance between focus and relaxation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"11\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Don\u2019t cut out all the enjoyment from your life during your exams. It\u2019s tempting to knuckle down and &#8216;focus&#8217; (even on the weekends), leaving no time for fun or distractions, but you&#8217;ll struggle to maintain that focus if you feel unfulfilled in other areas of your life.\u00a0 <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/files\/2022\/05\/SC_DV6A2406.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2392\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/files\/2022\/05\/SC_DV6A2406.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4484\" height=\"2989\" \/><\/a> 2. <\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Eat, sleep and exercise well<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Let\u2019s pull the plug on surviving on super noodles, getting minimal amounts of movement and staying up all night revising. Cutting out these unhealthy habits will minimise stress and anxiety during the exam period, and your body will thank you for it in the long run too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"11\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Make sure you get a minimum of seven hours of sleep a night. If you struggle to nod off, create an evening routine that helps you wind down and, more importantly, stay away from blue light devices. They only make it harder!\u00a0 <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"11\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Keep active. Exercising is one of the quickest and most effective ways to de-stress; even a short walk will do. Fresh air will clear your head and the exposure to sunlight will release serotonin in your brain, boosting your mood and helping you feel calmer and more focused<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"11\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Avoid highs and lows of energy by eating slow-release foods such as multi-grain bread, oat porridge, nuts and vegetables. Try to reduce your intake of caffeine and junk food too. They might provide a quick energy boost, but their effects are short-lived and can leave you feeling sluggish. Not ideal when you need to bring your A-game to that exam room.\u00a0 <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/files\/2022\/05\/GettyImages-1124656871.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2399\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/files\/2022\/05\/GettyImages-1124656871.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>3. Get ready and feel organised<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">It\u2019s normal to feel uneasy the night before an exam but try not to cram information. Have one last read over your revision notes and then get your things ready so you feel more relaxed and prepared in the morning. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"11\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Check your exam details e.g location, time and required equipment<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"11\" data-aria-posinset=\"8\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">If you\u2019re going to travel to an exam location, schedule and plan your route Leave plenty of time for issues with parking, public transport etc.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"11\" data-aria-posinset=\"9\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Prepare everything you need for the exam: water, student ID and any equipment or medication you might need.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/files\/2022\/05\/51971624890_992f122155_o.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2404\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/files\/2022\/05\/51971624890_992f122155_o.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">4. Believe in yourself <\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">When we\u2019re faced with challenges, we often forget to look back at how far we&#8217;ve come and how much we\u2019ve already achieved. Making time for reflection before each exam will help to boost your confidence.\u00a0 <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">If you start having negative thoughts, try to replace them with positive ones. For example, instead of thinking: &#8216;I\u2019m a failure if I don\u2019t get a B for A level English\u2019, think: &#8216;whatever happens on results day, I will be proud of my efforts and value how much I\u2019ve already achieved.&#8217;\u00a0 <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>You\u2019ve got this. Good luck!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s exam season, and you\u2019ve got a million things rushing through your brain. Your friends and family are saying: &#8220;it will all be fine, just &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/2022\/05\/09\/finding-your-exam-calm\/\">Read&nbsp;more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41672,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5342,9871],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2384"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41672"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2384"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2384\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2416,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2384\/revisions\/2416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/kentstudents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}