7 Tips for Navigating Exam Season
1. Get Enough Sleep
For your body’s best performance, try your best to ensure you get 8 hours of sleep per night.
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2. Hydrate & Eat Nutritious Foods
Take time to drink lots of water and provide your body with the nutrients you need. We know it can be hard to find time to cook while studying, so if you need a snack stop by the Student Wellness Lounge (PGCLL 201) on weekdays between December 9th-19th for FREE granola bars and fruit. Meal Prep can also be a helpful way to time manage during exams, and ensure you get enough to eat.
Read Now: A Beginners Guide to Meal Prepping.
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3. Get Active
Read Now: 25 Ways to Get Active Aside from Walking
4. Set Realistic Goals
Setting realistic goals maximizes your time and resources, and helps keep you motivated.
- Focus on progress, not perfection!
- Celebrate your wins, whether they are big or small.
- Manage your time with a study calendar that also allows for other activities that will keep you feeling balanced.
- For each exam you have, create a SMART goal
5. Use Positive Affirmations
Speak or write out positive affirmations about how you study and how you will perform during exams.
Here is a list of affirmations you can use:
- I’m becoming more focused.
- I’m continuing to work hard.
- I’m getting better at taking exams.
- I’m enjoying the process of learning.
- I’m going to perform well on this exam.
- Learning is meaningful and fun.
6. Try Meditating
Meditation can benefit both your emotional well-being and your overall health. Use it to relax and cope with exam stress by refocusing your attention on something calming.
- TAO Connect – FREE for McMaster Students
- Increase Living, Decrease Worrying with scientifically researched self-guided sessions that will help you feel better. Use the tools the professionals use and feel empowered throughout your mental wellness journey. Feel better faster with access to over 150+ video sessions that provide scientifically researched content to help you build life skills, engage in professional development, and explore common concerns, such as stress, anxiety and depression.
- McMaster Mindfulness Centre
- Headspace App
- Insight Timer App
7. Ask For Help
You are not alone! The SWC is here to help.
Walk-In Counselling (Student Wellness Centre – PGCLL 210)
Walk-in Clinic appointments are available daily on a ‘first come first serve’ basis. These appointments are available for students with urgent needs and/or for students who are not currently connected with a counsellor. Learn More
• Monday-Wednesday, check-in begins at 12:30pm and ends at 3pm.
• Thursday check-in starts at 1:00pm and ends at 3pm
• Friday check-in starts at 1:30pm and ends at 3pm
Stress Less
The Stress Less drop-in session is an opportunity to explore not just how to manage your stress, but also why you might get so stressed out in the first place. Using an anti-colonial framework, we informally discuss themes such as motivation, rest, pressure, fear of failure, and anxiety. We will explore nervous system regulation and stress management strategies such as mindfulness, tapping, progressive muscle relaxation, and others. Drop-in sessions will be available online. Learn More
SSC Academic Skills: Exam Prep & Self-Care
Are you feeling ready for exams? It’s okay if you’re not quite there yet. The SSC can help you get prepared and practice self-care with helpful workshops, study sessions, tips and resources and more. All the services and activities are free, except for the Undergrad Peer Tutoring Network. Learn More
Read Now: Dealing with Test Anxiety
Mental Health & Mental Illness, Stress Management