A student's ability to handle stress is of utmost importance, because it has an impact on both academic performance and mental health. Even though students are well aware of midterms, no matter how prepared one is for exam season, we all experience some level of stress during these times. The solution of course is practice, but there is always a point reached when focus is lost, emotions begin to take over, and your brain feels like it is going to crash.
Taking breaks are not only important, but integral to the study process; through breaks, motivation can be regained because your brain has a break from processing information. This leads to greater confidence and makes retaining information easier once the break has commenced . After interviewing students in my residence building, I have complied a list of tips and tricks for managing stress during exam season — after all, who would give more realistic advice than those who are currently going through these experiences?
Taking breaks that involve entertainment were the most common responses from the students on my floor. Students often brought up “comfort” movies and shows, which are either familiar from a person's childhood, or a show which has been watched many times before. This familiarity provides a sense of control, and since the viewer already knows the plot, they do not have to pay close attention. Classic childhood series, such as Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, or pretty much any Disney movie, were common suggestions. In the show department, most students either suggested sitcom style shows (The Office, How I Met Your Mother, The Sweet Life of Zach and Cody), or reality T.V and cooking/competition shows. Of course, classic feel- good T.V. such as Gilmore Girls, was another popular answer.
The next most suggested break time pursuit was participating in some sort of physical activity. This ranges from working out, doing yoga/meditation, or simply going outside for a walk or run. Not only can these activities be fun and reflective of personal interests, but there is also scientific proof to back up the benefits of being active during study breaks: being active releases hormones which boost your mood and in turn improve focus and motivation. Hand in hand with physical activity is music, and everyone interviewed stated that music is always being played during these types of breaks. The suggestions ranged in genre and mood to reflect the diverse tastes of my floor. Several people suggested “background” type music, such as instrumental or techno (Way Home by Edri Irmak was suggested in the techno category). Others preferred classic party songs (Unforgettable by French Montana, Going Bad by Drake ft. Meek Mill), which are sure to uplift your mood. If you want to listen to party music during your physical activity, anything by Pitbull is a safe bet! Other suggestions included Hello (Adele), Ribs (Lorde), End of Youth (Ed Sheeran), and Cigarette Daydreams (Cage the Elephant).
Many students said that they knew they were ready to take a break when they feel hungry. Whether you are cooking yourself, going out to eat, or enjoying a meal with friends, a common theme was comfort foods. Popcorn, fries, and ice cream were common snack suggestions, and as far as meals go, lasagna, Caesar salad, and sushi were the top contenders. Whatever you’re in the mood for, hopefully some of these suggestions can fuel your study break!
Every person has different variations of what a study break should look like, which is why the lists are reflective of everyone's unique tastes. Almost as important as the studying itself is finding out what a study break looks like for you and which elements relax your brain, lift your mood, and allow yourself to refocus. Why not incorporate several of the suggestions into your study break? For example, arrange a movie night with everyone’s favourite snacks or go on a walk together and share your favourite songs!
Hopefully these tips and tricks from other students help you develop heathy study habits, whatever you decide to try. Perhaps the biggest takeaway when gathering research for this article is that everyone is going through the same stress. No matter the program, high school experience, or how confident you are feeling in university, you are not alone. These tips aim to inspire ways in which to destress which leads to overall academic success.