Dear Aspect, I get so nervous before exams and I am worried this effects my performance. Any advice?
Exam nerves are very normal, and often is an indicator of how much this exam means to you. If you have done everything you can to prepare, then it is understandable to have nerves, but you don’t need to worry. Make sure you get your sleeping schedule nicely arranged so you get a good nights sleep before the exam. Note, sleep schedules can take weeks to adapt, so bear this in mind ahead of time. On the morning of an exam, eat a hearty breakfast, plant-based is often best, avoiding high sugar and caffeine, maybe opt for a banana alongside your meal. Stay hydrated, this is super important! If you have to go to an exam hall, get there ahead of time to avoid any unnecessary stress. Remember how much you have prepared, and don’t forget, exams aren’t everything. Everything works out in the end.
Aspect… How can I connect with other students at my university whilst abiding by lockdown rules?
This one has been tough especially for first-year students. We have found apps and websites such as The Student Room that are great for connecting with students across many universities, with something for everyone, from first-years to graduates. We often found that Facebook groups were quite popular for finding people on your course or living in your halls. Apps such as Discord are great alternatives from Facebook or Snapchat, as they allow different sub-groups for classes and various calls and voice notes as well as normal messages!
We’d also encourage people in any year to join a society or sports team if they are feeling lonely or want to try something new. This is an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded people as well as encouraging socialising in this strange time.
Hi Aspect… I find online learning very stressful, do you have any tips for managing stress?
I think a lot of students are feeling the same way, especially those who approach dissertations and weighty-exams. We believe communication is key. Get in touch with your coursemates to see if they feel the same and how they have dealt with the situation. Utilise your daily exercise to break up your day or write down how you’re feeling to document things that are going on. This could be very useful if you were to talk to your course leader. Research shows that your brain exercises best for 45 minute time periods, so be sure to take breaks every 45 minutes to ensure your brain is best engaged. This will make your revision and working time more productive, and hopefully in turn, lowering stress levels.