{"id":5006,"date":"2025-05-07T12:40:49","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T11:40:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/salc-students\/?p=5006"},"modified":"2025-05-07T12:48:20","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T11:48:20","slug":"how-to-take-care-of-yourself-over-the-exam-period-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/salc-students\/2025\/05\/07\/how-to-take-care-of-yourself-over-the-exam-period-2\/","title":{"rendered":"How to take care of yourself over the exam period"},"content":{"rendered":"
Upcoming exam periods:<\/strong><\/h6>\n
Monday 12 May- Wednesday 4 June 2025<\/strong><\/h6>\n

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Ahhh, it\u2019s exam time again.<\/p>\n

It can be quite daunting if it\u2019s been a while since your last exam, especially if you\u2019re brand new to a subject or have found the module itself quite difficult.
\nBut we\u2019re here to help with some of those exam anxieties. Exanieties, if you will\u2026 ok, maybe we don\u2019t call it that\u2026 but still!<\/p>\n

Everyone gets nervous before a big exam. It\u2019s a perfectly natural reaction to something important and although it\u2019s ok to have some nerves beforehand, you don\u2019t want them getting to the point where you\u2019re feeling so anxious and flustered that your mind goes blank as soon as you turn the first page.<\/p>\n

So, here\u2019s some advice we\u2019ve put together to help you get through the exam period, with as few nerves as possible.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/u><\/strong>Not sure where to start?<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Then why not try some of the library\u2019s\u00a0workshops<\/a>? There are a host of helpful workshops available for you to attend. From mindfulness for concentration, to learning strategies to help with exam stress, there\u2019s lots of different workshops you can go to that may help you feel a bit more at ease around the exam period.<\/p>\n

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Find the technique that works for you!<\/u><\/strong>
\n<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Although it\u2019s great that you are determined and want to do the best that you can, remember that it\u2019s essential that you are also kind to yourself when studying and revising. What works for some people, may not work for you, and that\u2019s ok. There\u2019s nothing wrong with finding your own way of doing things. Everyone has their own techniques when it comes to revising and exams, and there are a whole variety of methods you can use. Don\u2019t be afraid to try something new! Sometimes it just takes a bit of time for us to find something that fits how we think, and how we work.<\/p>\n

Understanding how you prefer to learn will only benefit you further when studying for your exams.<\/p>\n

Do you know what kind of learner you are?<\/p>\n

Are you a\u00a0kinetic<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0learner, someone who learns through being hands on, using movement and the environment around you to help you focus and retain information? Do you find that you learn a process by completing it?<\/p>\n

Perhaps you\u2019re more\u00a0auditory<\/strong><\/em>? Does listening to a recording of a lecture help you absorb the information better? Do your notes make more sense when you read them out loud to yourself or to others? Can you understand verbal instructions a lot better than written instructions?<\/p>\n

Or maybe you\u2019re a\u00a0visual<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0learner? Where written instructions work far better for you than verbal ones do? Have you noticed that you use a lot of colour to separate your notes, and find that it helps you see and understand things more clearly? Do pictures or drawings help you to remember things?<\/p>\n

There are plenty of ways to learn and finding what fits you best can only make the revision process easier. Try this quick\u00a0quiz<\/a>\u00a0to see what kind of learner you are!\"A<\/u><\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

DASS Support<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

There are also exam support resources available for students who have registered with DASS. The deadline to request support during the May exam period has passed now, but the\u00a0DASS team<\/a>\u00a0are always around if you have any questions for future exams.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve already registered for exam support and are wondering what this will entail, head to the\u00a0DASS website<\/a>\u00a0where they have a handy guide on what kind of support is available for you. There are\u00a0lots of different support options available, it will just depend on your circumstances which one will be best for you.<\/p>\n

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Be kind to yourself<\/u><\/strong><\/u><\/h3>\n

Putting so much pressure on yourself doesn\u2019t always help when revising or preparing for exams.<\/p>\n

There are two quotes that come to mind:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe same boiling water that softens the potato, hardens the egg.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

&<\/p>\n

\u201cDiamonds are formed under pressure, but they aren\u2019t formed overnight\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Remember your limits. This isn\u2019t to say not to work hard, or not to bother revising, but to remember that we\u2019re all doing the best we can. We are always our own worst critics unfortunately; which means that sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves that we lose sight of all the things that we\u2019re doing well, and everything we have achieved so far. Like the first quote mentions, the same boiling water that softens the potato, hardens the egg.
\nThis means that for some people, putting that much pressure on themselves is a great motivational driver, they find that they work their best in high pressure situations. But for others, that level of pressure only makes them feel like they aren\u2019t getting anywhere fast, and can make absorbing important information that much more difficult.<\/p>\n

Find what works for you and run with that.<\/em><\/strong> If that\u2019s different from what your peers are doing, that\u2019s fine! If you\u2019re finding a particular method useful and it\u2019s helping you feel confident and prepared\u2013 go for it.<\/p>\n

But should things not go to plan; if it gets to the big day and something does go wrong \u2013 that\u2019s ok! It happens; not every exam is going to go perfectly. We can\u2019t be perfect 100% of the time no matter how hard we try, and no matter how much we push ourselves. It\u2019s how you handle it, and move on from it, that\u2019s the most important thing. If you want a little more guidance on dealing with exams and results\u00a0not quite going the way you\u2019d hoped, you can find more information and resources on the\u00a0exam support page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Self-care is important every step of the way. Make sure you\u2019re still taking part in things you enjoy outside of revising. Self-care throughout the exam period is better than after care once your exams are over. Keep some time aside to do some things for yourself, even if it\u2019s just for a short while. It\u2019s important to look after yourself whilst dealing with a large workload. Though things can feel very overwhelming and stressful when you\u2019re in revision mode, you still need to make some time to relax and recuperate, as you\u2019ll be the best version of yourself \u2013 well rested and ready to go!<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Trust yourself!<\/u><\/strong><\/u><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s a classic piece of advice but remember to trust yourself! You know what you\u2019re doing, even when it all feels overwhelming. Our best piece of advice is if it\u2019s starting to feel like you\u2019re getting a little lost in your notes, or you\u2019re struggling to retain everything you\u2019ve just spent the last hour reading, then it’s time to take a break.<\/p>\n

Exams and studying take a lot out of you, so it’s important to take regular breaks\u00a0and rest as much as possible.<\/p>\n

Although an all-night revising session may sound like the best way to cram everything in, sleep deprivation can make that sense of overwhelm and pressure feel that bit worse. And like the second quote says, \u201cDiamonds are formed under pressure, but not formed overnight\u201d. Sometimes going slow and steady is the best method. Small chunks of studying followed by short breaks may help you more than long sessions of revising.
\nAgain, it depends on what works best for you! (Although we still don\u2019t recommend all-nighters\u2026 sleep deprivation can really take a toll on your body and mental wellbeing!)<\/p>\n

In that break from your studies, move your body around as much as you\u2019re able, try your best to keep hydrated and fuel your body with snacks! It can also help to remove yourself from your study environment entirely for a little while; changing up your scenery can make such a difference! It will help you come back refreshed and ready to start back where you left off.<\/p>\n

Try to take some time to reflect. Look at all the hard work you\u2019ve put into your assignments so far and remember that although this is a stressful time, you are more than capable of achieving great things. Stressful situations are temporary, but your resilience and determination are permanent.<\/p>\n

The SALC Student Support Hub will be giving out SALC Study Kits throughout the exam period- filled to the brim with snacks, revision supplies and information on where to find further help and support if you need it.
\nThese SALC Study kits will be available 10-4pm every weekday, at the Hub (Just next to Lime Caf\u00e9 on the lower ground floor of the Samuel Alexander Building) throughout the exam period, so grab one while you can!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But, if you find yourself struggling and you\u2019re looking for some support, you can always contact the University\u2019s\u00a0Counselling and Mental Health services<\/a>\u00a0who may be able to help and guide you to finding the best solution to your issue.\u00a0There is also\u00a0Health Assured<\/a>, a 24\/7 helpline and wellbeing app, run by trained wellbeing advisors and counsellors. They can support you with a whole range of concerns, so if you can please speak to someone who can help rather than going through some hard feelings on your own.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re here for you every step of the way! Our student support teams are available to help you with a variety of queries and concerns. Head to their\u00a0website<\/a>\u00a0to find out more.<\/p>\n

And lastly:<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
You\u2019ve got this!<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>Even if it doesn\u2019t always feel like you do.<\/h5>\n
We hope you found this useful! And we\u2019re wishing you all the best with your exams!<\/h5>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Other helpful links:<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

Search for past exam papers<\/a><\/p>\n

The ultimate guide to revision<\/a><\/p>\n

Can\u2019t find your exam timetable? Head to the exam resources<\/a> page\u00a0for more information on how to access your exam timetable.<\/p>\n

A guide to on campus exams<\/a><\/p>\n

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