From Panic to Peace: Managing Exam Stress & Anxiety

It’s not just you!

If exam season has got you feeling on edge, it’s vaguely reassuring to know that you’re definitely not alone. Between the heavy uni workloads, the long library sessions and the exams themselves, it’s a lot to handle. Most students will go through this stress at some point, even if it doesn’t always look like it from the outside.

The good news? Exam stress is manageable with a few of the right strategies in place and some self-kindness along the way. 

Why do exams hit so hard?

Exams can feel so intense because they tap into your body’s natural stress response. Often called the fight-or-flight mode, this normal response to stressful situations is actually designed to protect you, but as a result it can leave you feeling jittery, overwhelmed and often quite physically uncomfortable. Add in the pressure to perform, the comparison of yourself to others, and the uncertainty about what comes next, and it’s no surprise things can feel heavy. You’re not overreacting, you’re responding to a real life challenge, so give yourself a break. 

Spotting the signals of exam stress

Stress doesn’t always show up in obvious ways. In fact, it can feel very different from student to student. Emotionally, you might feel irritable, upset, restless, doubtful or even angry. And, if left bottled up, these emotions can spiral and ultimately lead to depression, which can often be harder to manage later on. 

Physically, you might notice an increase in headaches and low energy as you power through your revision timetable. You might also experience achy muscles as your body stays tense for longer periods, or stomach aches as a result of your nervous system interfering with your digestion. 

Your appetite could also increase or decrease - so it’s important to keep checking in with yourself and make sure you’re still eating regularly, even if your routine feels a little off.

Quick calming techniques for stress 

When stress spikes, having a few simple tools to pull out from your back pocket can make a big difference, especially in the middle of the night, during a study session or right before you sit down for an exam. 

Here are 3 quick and easy calming techniques that could be helpful:  

1. Box breathing

Box breathing is used in the military to train soldiers to remain calm under intense pressure. So, it could be useful for those moments just before your exams. Breathe in for four seconds, hold the breath in for four, breathe out for four, then hold again at the bottom of the exhale for four. Repeat this a few times to help slow your heart rate and calm your nervous system. Closing your eyes while you do it can help you focus even more. 

2. The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Method

Grounding yourself means bringing yourself back to earth and into your body when you are feeling anxious and detached. And, this exercise is great because it helps you focus fully on your senses for a few moments. Quietly name five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. This helps to bring your focus away from anxious thoughts and back into the present moment. 

3. A Proper Five-Minute Reset

If you feel stress starting to bubble away inside during a particularly frustrating or difficult study session, it’s probably best to take a reset. Step away from your desk for five minutes. In those five minutes, do some light stretching, get some fresh air, or make a drink. A short intentional break can help away your clear mental fog and stop stress from building further. 

Create a revision schedule that's maneagable

A little bit of structure can go a long way in making your exam revision period more manageable and less stressful. 

Breaking up your revision sessions into smaller chunks over a longer period helps you avoid that overwhelming feeling that often comes with cramming in long, late-night sessions. Starting early is sure to reap rewards in terms of mental health as well as understanding and results. 

Prioritise the subjects on your timetable based on what you feel needs the most attention, and create a simple plan of realistic study sessions with plenty of short breaks in between. We know it’s tempting to delay starting revision, and leave things until the last minute, but spreading your workload out will save you a lot of stress and panic in the long run. 

Calming Sheffield study spaces

The places where you choose to study can really affect how you feel, especially when it comes to energy levels and mood. Sometimes a change of scenery is all you need to reset your focus, whether that’s moving from your student room to a library, or switching between a quiet or more social space depending on your mood and the topic you’re studying. 

Little things like a sturdy desk, good lighting and comfortable seating can help create a space that feels calmer and more productive - which is why we take this all into consideration when designing our luxury student bedrooms at true student Sheffield.

Our shared spaces are ideal for revision sessions with friends, or a change of scenery when you need an uplift. And, our gym is also a great addition, meaning you can get some energy-boosting movement in during your break times, without having to leave the building! 

Interested to find out more? Check out our Luxury Student Accommodation in Sheffield now.