It’s that time of year again. The days are short, the temperature is dropping, and exams you thought were far away are now staring you directly in the face. It can be a stressful time for many students who start to feel overwhelmed. But, take a deep breath and follow these tips to help guide you through the 2020 winter exam season.
Having a small planner can help keep track of due dates.
DO: Set Yourself a Schedule
It can be tough to remember everything going on near the end of the semester – between last-minute assignments, large projects and exam times. Start writing down each day in a planner or even set reminders on your phone to keep yourself on track with studying times, and when you need to work on final assignments.
DON’T: Pull All-Nighters
Make sure you get enough sleep to rock those exams.
Most of us have been there. You forgot to study or work on a final assignment, so you go to the local convenience store, load up on energy drinks and prepare for the long night. Yes, you might think it’s a smart idea to get things done last minute, however, your brain will hate you for it. Studies show your quality of work and your brain’s process of retaining information is drastically cut when you deprive it of sleep, so make sure you get those Z’s.
A quiet room can help you retain information (turn off your phone too).
DO: Give Yourself a Quiet Space
You may not have a vast choice of spaces to study right now – with the pandemic and having to work from home with other people in the household there. Do your best to carve yourself out a quiet area with no distractions. A bedroom, office, and an isolated kitchen space are good examples of places you can put your phone on silent. Make a sign that says ‘do not disturb’ and let your household know when you need some peace and quiet.
DON’T: Procrastinate
Don’t let ‘technical issues’ get in your way when studying.
When looking at the calendar, it’s easy to dismiss exam studying because there are still three or four weeks before they actually start. But don’t let time fool you; exams can sneak up on the unsuspecting student who procrastinates on studying for it. Give yourself plenty of time to learn and retain information .
DO: Make use of the MSA for Help
You can always (virtually) lean on the MSA for support.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by exams and need some help, the MSA is here in more way than one. You can take a break and have fun with many of our events, where you can win some fantastic prizes. We also offer equipment loans if you require something for an exam or if your own equipment breaks.
Remember, the MSA is here for you!
DON’T: Allow Stress to Build-Up
Ever had a moment like this? Avoid it this year!
Stress can be a nightmare to deal with around exam season. Worrying if you have studied enough, the right material and even remembering what days exams are on can all contribute to stress. Take breaks, drink lots of water and remember that your teachers can always answer any questions you may have. Never feel you can’t ask questions about the material.
If you are feeling particularly overwhelmed, do not hesitate to make use of Empower Me – a mental health and wellness service available to Mohawk students.
The MSA hopes these tips help when exams start rolling around (they are not far off).
If you become overwhelmed, remember your fellow classmates are going through the same thing, so don’t hesitate to reach out and see if they have any useful exam tips. Good luck on those exams, Mohawk.
Written by: Kyle Hooper
Student Social Media Assistant
