Exams, do they test or just stress?

Students and exams go hand in hand, but mix like chalk and cheese. They’re the unavoidable, necessary brain-ache at the end of term and once again you still haven’t done enough work for them. You promised yourself at the start of term that this would be the one. You had great intentions to wake up early every day and do four hours in the library. But like the previous term, and the one before that, and the one before that, you keep up this genuinely not too exertive work schedule for about two weeks before it starts slipping away from you. Big nights out are followed by long days in, work starts to pile up but you just couldn’t miss a classic night out with the lads off your course, you have to prioritise.

But do not worry! Go to the Robbo and do a 360 turn, your eyes will be met by hundreds of students in the same situation. The ones you’ve seen here before, the ones you’ve seen on nights out, even some new ones which sit really close to you and eat stanky food. You are not alone. For everyone feeling like their pile of work is insurmountable, there will be someone else with a bigger pile. For everyone who’s only averaging 10 hours each week for the past 10 weeks, there will be someone else who’s only worked for five and had never heard of the Marjorie Library Rooms until last week.

Asking your peers how much they have done can never go well, they’ll either have done much more than you in which case you feel useless, or they’ve done less than you and you feel like its OK to slack. Best to keep your revision schedule to yourself. Telling peers “I’ve literally done nothing” will only make you more likely to believe their “oh you’ll be fine” and continue lying to yourself that you might actually be fine and take another afternoon off. Sorry, if you’ve literally done nothing all term then you really won’t be fine.

But do not worry! That is where the tips come in. Even if you have been slacking all term, or you have yet to start your projects with the deadlines a week or two away. Dig deep, you’ve done it before and you can do it again.

I recommend long stints in the Robbo, especially at odd times when it’s quiet. It’s open 24/7 and sometimes those 3am Wednesday power hours can be the difference between a pass or fail. Take up your Mum’s advice and make a revision schedule. Even if it is just for two weeks, organising a few focused hours of work each day will bring much needed structure to your pre-exam period. Especially if you’re facing multiple assignments, in which case dividing up your revision time before you sit down to revise can stream-line your work rate no end.

Exams are a natural source of academic pressure, you pay to study at this university and in turn it tests your abilities until one day you can smile for that picture with your parents on graduation day and suppress memories of coffee fuelled all-nighters in the silent study area. It’s all part of the ordinary life of a university student.

For some, exam pressure can be truly detrimental to their mental health, and this is where you must be careful. Make sure that you are taking care of yourself, sleeping regularly and drinking lots of water. Always know that you can contact Student Services if you are feeling overwhelmed, it is literally their job to help stressed-out students. We pay £9,000 a year to be at this university, so don’t be shy in using the services they provide if you feel you need some help.

Never feel like you have no one to talk to, if you can’t find a friend, housemate, family member, or maybe even your personal tutor, then there’s a multitude of helplines you can call. Often open 24/7 these are people you can call if you’re feeling stressed, depressed or overwhelmed, to discuss literally anything. Don’t be scared, they are professionals and sometimes just a friendly voice can work wonders.

Who would have thought that after the stress of A-Levels we would all voluntarily sign up for another 3+ years of exams?

Drinkline
Help and information if you’re worried about your own or a friend’s alcohol consumption. 0800 917 82 82

Lifeline
Christian-run helpline providing a sympathetic ear, information and advice on a range of emotional, spiritual or practical matters. 020 7316 0808

National Drugs Helpline
Confidential advice and information for those who are concerned, or have questions, about drugs; 24 hours. 0800 77 66 00

Nightline
National organisation of Nightline student helplines; local numbers available at www.nightline.ac.uk.

Samaritans
Provide 24-hour emotional support to anyone who is suicidal or despairing. 08457 90 90 90