Looking After Your Mental Health During Exams

Exams can be a stressful time for most people, and often our mental health can take a bit of a backseat. Here are some tips you can follow to make sure you're feeling your best in the lead up to and during your exams:

Make a plan

Things can quickly snowball during exam season if you haven't made a plan. Making a clear schedule for what you're going to do and when you're going to do it will make things seem way more manageable. Make sure you split your subjects into bitesize chunks and give yourself ample time to do it all. If you find that your plan isn't working for you, make a new one!

Set a study space

Many people like to study somewhere that's comfy, such as their bed or a sofa. But studying somewhere where you usually relax will blur the lines between work and play. You'll find it harder to focus on your work and when you finish working, you'll feel like you can't totally relax. Find a place that is set apart from your usual relaxing places, ideally in another room. Make sure you consider what environmental factors help you focus. If you need lots of light and fresh air, why not revise in your local park? Do you find it easier to focus when there's lots of background noise? Head to your local cafe to do your work. Or why not go to your local library for a more relaxed and peaceful atmosphere? Everyone is different, so make sure you find what works for you.

Take a break!

When you're focused on revision and exams, it's so easy to overwork yourself. Make sure you take regular breaks that take you out of your work environment. Going for a run or playing a game of football with your friends are both great ways to completely refresh your mind! If you prefer inside activities like reading a book or playing a video game, make sure you do this in a different room to where you were studying. This way, you'll be able to get back into 'revision mode' when your break ends.

Eat well

Food can affect our mood and mental wellbeing in so many different ways without us even realising it. Try to make sure you're getting enough fruit and veg every day, and try to incorporate other healthy foods such as fish, nuts and seeds, beans and pulses and complex carbs. Why not get together with your friends and make a hearty lentil curry to enjoy on a group revision session?

Get some rest

If everything is getting a bit much, pulling an all-nighter to get it done might seem like an obvious choice, but don't be fooled! You need your sleep to process all the information you've been taking in, and working into the early hours will just make you more stressed. Write down a plan for the next day and then get an early night. You'll wake up in a much better mindset to crack on with that revision.

Talk to friends and family

If everything is getting a bit much for you, speak to your friends and family. They might be able to provide you with the support and encouragement you need to make it through. Opening up to loved ones can be difficult, so start with someone you feel most comfortable talking to.

Get some help

If you're struggling with your revision, make sure you get some help from your teacher! Why spend hours struggling with something that they could explain to you in minutes? If you find that revision and exams are causing you a lot of stress or are affecting your mental health, speak to a trusted teacher, friend or family member. Everyone wants you to do your very best, but not at the expense of your physical and mental wellbeing. If you don't feel like there's anyone you can talk to about this, there are plenty of charities that can help you:

• Childline - 0800 1111

• Samaritans - 116 123

• Mind - 0300 123 3393