How to do deal with burnouts during exam season

Exam period is surely one of the most agonising and stressful times in our uni lives. The mountain-high pile of lecture notes and endless deadlines could drain all our energy out of our bodies after a series of long revision sessions. Here are some tips to keep you motivated throughout exam season.

If you feel overwhelmed by the massive workload and wonder where to kick off, try breaking them down into smaller, more tangible tasks. Instead of creating vague, unreachable goals on your to-do list, be specific and realistic on what you want to achieve in a certain amount of time. Always start with a smaller, easier task, in order to gain some sense of accomplishment, as well as confidence for the bigger missions.

Tick off something from the list every time you clear a task, so if you are exhausted and unmotivated, look back at all these cross-off tasks, and you will realise how far you’ve come. Bear in mind that you need more than a big leap to success, these tiny accomplishments are the baby steps we need in the progress.

Don’t forget to take constant breaks in between study sessions. Sitting in front of your laptop for six hours straight is not productive since it will only make it more difficult to concentrate and give you a nasty migraine. Let yourself rest every 30 minutes. Either it is to get some fresh air, eat some snacks, or take a little walk around the library. This allows your brain to have a little moment to refresh and recharge, eventually leading to better concentration, higher level of energy and productivity.

If you’re a workaholic, set up a stopwatch and remind yourself to get away from the desk every once in a while. Remember, even a short five to ten minute break can be a game changer.

While hustling, don’t forget to spare time to do things that you enjoy. It’s important to strike a balance between work and life, especially during stressful times. Try to do something without looking at the screen if you have been using your laptops for hours. For example, cook yourself an easy yet delicious meal, pick up a book and read before bed, or hit the gym for an hour or two.

Lastly, don’t forget about socialising during exam periods. You might be too busy to dine out or go for drinks, so why not ask your friends to study together? Your study buddy can give you a pep talk when you’re not doing great. You’re not the only one who might feel stressed and burnout, we are all going through the same thing, so let’s smash this together.

Edited by Pia Cooper