How I Survived 4 Exams in 5 Days... And How You Can Too
I’m not quite free from exams, but as a short procrastination technique/brain break I thought I’d share how I managed to not cry at all while also preparing for and sitting 4 exams over the span of 5 days (because... vet school).
1) Preparation is key - The very first thing I do before any exam period is sit down and make a timetable and a master list. Your timetable should have all the days from the day you are making the timetable on through to the last exam you have mapped out. I divide each day into morning and afternoon slots (although because I tend to study from 8.30am - 9.30pm I don’t stick to the strict definitions of “morning” when I’m actually working, more on that later). Then, do your master list. Take each paper and write down every topic you have to cover before the exam (I split mine by lecture, but depending on what you’re studying, you may prefer to do this as chapters or modules etc etc). By looking at how many topics I have to cover and how many days I have before a particular exam, I divide up the half-days proprotionally so that in theory I can get everything done.
2) Sleep - The best step, right? Sleep is so important if you want to retain information and not be a sobbing mess at the end of the exam period. I know that I need 8hrs to work effectively, so I have a set time that I need to be in bed and an alarm that goes at the same time every day that leaves roughly 8.5 hrs (the extra 30 mins takes into account getting to sleep, disruptions, etc.). Work out how much time you need, and make sure you get it! And not the bare minimum either, I’m talking proper refreshing, ready to go when you wake up, sleep. Treat yourself!
3) Work out how much you can do in a day, and do it - It sounds simple, but it isn’t always. The first couple of days of study break I’m always finding my feet, working out what I can actually do with a whole day to just study. Push yourself in these early days to see what you can get done, while still taking breaks to eat, relax, and procrastinate just a little. I usually have one day where I definitely don’t get enough day, then a day where I try and compensate and push myself too far, and then for the rest of the exam period I manage to settle into a nice medium of the two. Work that out, schedule it, then adjust your overall timetable if you need to.
4) Plan what you’ll do each day in advance - I always feel so much more productive if I can wake up, have breakfast, and then just kick into it, without having to think about what needs to be done. I finish every day by getting out my planner and setting myself tasks for the next day. It helps me sleep better, and it helps me work better. This way you also have goals for the day, so you know exactly what you’re expecting of yourself for the whole day.
5) Believe in yourself - So cheesy, I know, but necessary. I am incredibly good at doubting myself and despairing, so I have to have little mantras prepared for when it feels really hard and I can’t get everything that I need to done or something takes longer than I thought it would. Pick something that works for you, but have something to tell yourself when it gets hard.
6) Don’t use a screen as a break - TV and YouTube videos are not good for breaks. I don’t know about you, but if that’s what I’m using as a break my mind is usually wandering back to what I was working on, and then I’m not actually resting my brain. Rest is so important, but blank staring just doesn’t work! Try to do something that engages you so your mind is actually diverted. I crack out some of my favourite books at exam time because they’re excellent for taking a break. I also use my break time to listen to podcasts, fold laundry, go for a walk (see my Exercise and Study post) craft, play with my dog, etc etc. Get out of your study space, stop looking at your laptop, and do something you genuinely enjoy that you can’t think about studying while doing. It’s so important! Hannah Witton (a YouTuber I love, check her out) says she would learn something new during exam periods as a way of exercising her mind in her break times. That’s such a great idea, I’ve been giving it a go myself learning to embroider, and it really works!
7) Celebrate your little wins - You are allowed to be excited about getting a topic done in less time than you thought it would take - it feels awesome when you’re really productive! Allow yourself to stew in the happy a little and take those moments to take a break, do something fun, get a snack etc. Adding something extra fun to the pleasure of being productive reinforces it - you can train yourself to do what you need to get done, and you really should.
8) Last, but not least: never underestimate the power of dancing it out - I am a huge Grey’s Anatomy fan, and if there’s one thing Meredith has taught me it’s that dancing solves so many things. I have a ritual where when I get home from an exam, I dance it out. I shut the door to my room, find a song I love to dance around to, and just let myself be an idiot for the next 4ish mins. It’s so good, I feel like I can get back into study so much faster when I do it. Pick an upbeat, fun song that you can really get into, and just let loose. You’ll feel so much better, and it can even make an exam that didn’t go that well feel a lot better. At the moment I’m using “Nervous” by Shawn Mendes, “Feel it Still” by Portugal the Man, “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins, and “High Hopes” by Panic! at the Disco, but it can really be anything that you’re feeling at the time.
TL;DR: Exams are hard, but if you prepare, sleep, work hard, and dance like an idiot you can do it! Trust me, I just did.
