Exam season can be stressful, and even when you are halfway through, it may feel dauntingly never-ending. It is normal to experience burnout during this final phase of your educational journey. There are times when you are running high on adrenaline but lack organic energy which keeps you active throughout the day. In such instances, it’s a good idea to be more conscious about your day-to-day activities and thought patterns. In this blog, we’ve listed a few uncomplicated ways to avoid or recover from exhaustion during exams.
Have conversations with your friends and family
Chances are, your peers might be experiencing similar stressful situations and the best thing to do here is to open up and have a hearty conversation with them. As humans, we thrive when surrounded by a supportive community and family, especially at times when we are feeling mentally and emotionally tired. Exchange a few words and laughs over this with your mates and you will realize that you are not alone. This will help provide encouragement and will also offer a feeling of relief.
Remember to get enough off-screen time
Being surrounded by electronic devices throughout the day is so common that we often overlook how draining they are. In times when you are already experiencing fatigue, sticking to screens throughout the day will ultimately make you even more tired. Find activities that are not based on gadgets. Fetch board games, spend time doodling, spend time with your family, or just go out for a walk. One easy way of incorporating no-screen time is to have all of your meals mindfully, without consuming any content. This will provide your brain with a much-needed break.
Maintain a balance between study time and playtime
Sometimes you might feel that the exam season means no time for fun or hobbies at all. On the contrary, it is essential to draw a balance between studying and doing things you genuinely enjoy. Throughout the day make sure you’re standing up every hour at an absolute minimum. Take a walk around the house, have a hot drink, do some exercise, message your friends, anything at all! Continuous revision for long periods of time will be nowhere near as effective and will leave you feeling tired and drained.
Don’t think about the paper that is already done
This can be one of the worst things to do for people who worry and can often cause you to sit and analyze every single question. Asking your peers what they put for a question, or how they found the paper, is only going to make you second guess all your answers when in reality you can’t do anything about it now. Instead, come out of the exam, congratulate your friends for getting through it, and then all make a pact to move on with the day! It is better to focus on the exam that is yet to come and prepare well for it rather than worrying about the paper that has already been attempted and submitted.
Make a small but effective morning routine
There is no better time to study than the peaceful hours of early morning. However, waking up and directly starting strong can lead to an energy crash in the middle of the day. The best option is to build a calming morning routine that prepares you for a day of revision. You can start with a warm beverage, a session of stretching or taking a stroll around the block. Start off with a relatively simpler topic and progress gradually.
Time Management is key
When you keep up with your study in a timely manner, you’re less likely to feel burnout. The key is to pace yourself every step of the way. Try taking a 15-minute break every hour so you can clear your head and rest. If your exam is a month out, using a calendar can help keep track of priorities and deadlines to avoid cramming in the end. A great way to avoid last-minute stress and an eventual frazzled state of mind is through planning effectively. Make sure you have a revision timetable in place and give yourself plenty of time to focus on topics you might be weaker at.
Seek help when needed!
Even after taking care of all these things, there might be some topics that are difficult to get through. At such times, you can seek guidance from your seniors and your friends who excel in a certain subject or get 1:1 or group tutoring classes from Young Scholarz. We have an extensive and customized range of exam prep classes going on for all topics in IB and IGCSE English Language and Literature. We also offer confidential 1:1 mental well-being counseling services. We’d also love to hear you share your tips on avoiding exam time burnout.