How to get less stressed during exams
As the semester draws to a close, the dreaded exam season begins. Those two weeks are usually a blur of stress, coffee, notes, and practice problems (for me at least). Here’s the thing: I’ve never been great at taking tests — the high-pressure exam environment is not for me. As an already anxious person, I get worried about minor aspects of exams. I’m worried that I haven’t studied enough or that the TAs monitoring the room will think I’m cheating if I look at the clock more than twice during the exam. However, during my second year I set a personal goal to make the exam season as comfortable as possible, and I want to share my tips with you.
Tip 1
I make sure to do most of my studying outside the home. I want to associate my apartment with a place to relax and decompress after studying, not a place where I feel frustrated and stressed. By not studying at home, I’m able to steer clear of distractions — like doing laundry or making a five-course meal.
My favourite study spots are the Planet Bean café downtown, which has some of my favourite coffee and, of course, the library. At the library, I like to study in the individual carrels. The study carrels provide a space where I won’t be interrupted, so I can really focus on getting things done. I’m my most productive in the carrels since there is nothing to do but study and work. I always tell people that when I work there, I feel like I’m in a time warp because I’m able to get so much more done in less time without distractions. However, if I need a change of location, I’ll sit on the soft seating on the first floor or in the basement. The soft seating is comfortable, but not so comfortable that I feel like taking a nap instead of studying.
Tip 2
My second tip is to get familiar with the layout of your exams. I had my first essay-style exam last year and had absolutely no idea what the most effective way to prepare for it was. My previous exams had always been multiple choice or problem solving, so an essay exam was new territory. I remember thinking that I should write out the entirety of my exam and just memorize it before going into the exam room, but it became apparent that memorizing a full essay was not the best way to get ready.
One of my friends recommended looking at the online library guide to better understand the purpose of an essay exam and what my professor or TA may be looking for. Through the guide I learned that when writing an essay during a time crunch it’s easiest to plan out answers by making bulleted lists and then using transitional words and conclusions to make the essay easy to navigate. These guides are available anytime on the library’s website and provide insight for a variety of exam types including short answer exams, lab exams, and bell-ringer exams. By prepping more effectively for this exam, I felt more comfortable going in, and was able to relax while writing it.
Tip 3
The last tip I have is to take breaks while studying. Some days during exams I get in the zone. In fact, I get in the zone so much that my roommates have to remind me to eat dinner. With the stress of exams and the pressure to be studying 24/7, it’s easy to forget to take time for yourself. My favourite study break is taking a walk. Whether to grab another coffee or just to get some fresh air, it’s what works best for me. Another way is to participate in stress busters around campus. During exams, many departments on campus will provide free activities that encourage students to take breaks. One of my favourites is Take a Paws, where students get to cuddle with therapy dogs in the library and in res — this year it’s on Dec. 5 and 6 and requires registration online. Other activities, like Coffee with a Cop, made me feel more connected to campus; I really feel that the U of G community understands the stress of exams and cares about us as students.
Sadly, with the end of the semester comes the end of my co-op term with the library — which means I will no longer be your Library Insider. If I have learned anything from my time here, it’s that the library is so much more than just a place to sit and study or check out books. There are so many resources available to you that can help you succeed academically and overall in life. University is hard, it’s meant to challenge you — but that doesn’t mean you need to go through it alone. Ask for help, even when you think you don’t need it, because people want to see you succeed. I hope that through this column I have been able to help you better understand what the library has to offer, and that it now seems a little less intimidating.
Good luck with exams!
Photo by Alora Griffiths/The Ontarion