Stress Management During Exam

SeasonTips for staying (quasi) sane!

Tune out Distractions!

How often does “only 10 minutes on Facebook!” turn into an exhaustive, hour long stalk-

fest? A bit too often.

Mute your social media notifications, put (or hide) your phone in a non-tempting place

and get to work! Less time spent scrolling through your newsfeed = more time to dedicate to more pressing matters (i.e studying).

Try Not to Cram

FAR easier said than done!

Sometimes cramming is unavoidable. But falling

into this habit can lead to chronic stress and increased levels of

cortisol, making you more susceptible to:

• common colds• poor sleep• mood swings • memory loss

Aim to structure a study plan that will give you sufficient time to review all of your materials.

Cramming is inevitable every so often, but don’t let it become a

regular occurrence!

Minimize Stressful People!

Stress can be contagious, so do your best to surround yourself

with others who share a balanced approach to studying

(this is Hopkins though…)

Prioritize your mental and emotional well-being; don’t

hesitate to distance yourself as needed from the high stress

people in your life!

We all have that friend who starts pulling his or her hair

out and oozing anxiety come every reading period…

Take Care of your Body! Heavy foods and processed snacks

can leave you feeling sluggish, so be sure to balance out your stress-

eating snacks with more wholesome options.

Pizza is heavenly. Candy can brighten a dismal day. Energy drinks work wonders. But just

because it’s exam season doesn’t mean basic nutrition/health should

be thrown out the window!

Exercise is also an great (and scientifically proven) antidote to stress! If you can squeeze in even a 15 minute

workout, you’ll be amazed at what moving a bit can do for productivity!

SLEEP!Screw the strange notion that running on little to no sleep is to be

lauded! Studies have shown that people who are well-rested perform better academically.

Attempting to fill an overworked and overtired brain with information is not an effective strategy; if possible, aim for a minimum of 6 hours per night

(difficult, again, because this is JHU) and remember that quality supersedes quantity when it comes to studying!

Good luck!