Our tips for reducing stress during your studies
Your room is never as tidy as it is during exam season. There are a thousand reasons to put off the one unpleasant task you have to do - studying - for as long as possible. In the end, everything gets left until the last minute, and anxiety and panic start to set in. Sound familiar? Almost every student has experienced the stress of studying at some point.
We've put together a few tips to help you reduce stress through effective planning.
Start by getting organized
As the exam date draws dangerously close, it's tempting to just dive straight into studying. However, to study effectively, you should first get an overview of all the material you need to cover. One method that can help you is this mind mapping. Before diving into the details, it's also worth asking yourself a few questions: How much material do you need to learn? Which topics are important, and which can you afford to skip? Which topics require more time, and which ones need less?
Create a study plan that works for you
Once you have a clear overview of the material, you can start creating a study plan. Decide how much time you want to dedicate to preparing for your exam and distribute the material across individual days, just as you would with a timetable. Be realistic and avoid overwhelming yourself. When in doubt, it's better to finish earlier than planned than to overestimate what you can achieve and end up under pressure. Don't forget to make time for friends, family, and some well-deserved me-time. And remember to rewards yourself whenever you reach a milestone.
You'll soon see that a well-organized study plan can make a real difference when it comes to managing stress at university.
Find your perfect study environment
A comfortable study environment is the foundation for staying focused. Make sure you have a tidy desk, a quiet atmosphere, a comfortable chair, plenty of light, and fresh air. It's also important to eliminate distractions from your workspace.
However, studying at home isn't the most effective option for everyone. While some prefer to work through their study material in the comfort of their own home, others really get into the flow at the library or a study café. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to finding the perfect study spot. If you find yourself getting tired of the same surroundings, changing locations can help. Maybe a combination works best for you: studying at the library in the morning and heading home in the evening? Or the other way around? Find out what works best for you.
The time of day can also affect your productivity. Early birds tend to find it easier to study in the monring, while night owls can only really get going later in the day. So listen to your body and work with your natural rhythm.
Make time for regular breaks
When you're stressed about studying, it's tempting to make the most of every precious minute and skip breaks altogether. However, taking regular breaks is essential. They're not a waste of time - quite the opposite. Short breaks can help you stay focused and maintain your concentration for longer.
The pomodoro technique is a great way to find the right balance between study time and breaks. Here's how it works: start by setting a timer for 25 minutes. During this time, focus entirely on your study material and eliminate all distractions. Once the timer goes off, take a short five-minute break. You can tidy up your apartment, make yourself a coffee, or simply relax. Give your brain a chance to switch off. After completing four pomodoro sessions (25 minutes of studying followed by a five minute break), reward yourself with a longer break of around 20 minutes. The idea behind this technique is simple: by breaking your study material down into smaller, manageable chunks and taking regular breaks, you can stay focused and productive for longer.
More tips for managing study stress
We hope our tips have given you some helpful ideas on how to manage stress during your studies. Good luck with your next exam! 🍀Need some more inspiration? Here are some of our blog posts: