In honour of #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek we thought we’d take a look at managing revision stress, and offer a few ways to help you look after your mental health whilst studying.
Revising for an exam can be daunting… time is at a premium (especially in this current climate!), and knowing where to start can feel like you’ve got a mountain to climb. A prerequisite for effective study is being in a good headspace. Your mental state really does dictate your level of focus, ability to retain information and how motivated you are – so, it’s pretty important to look after!
But fear not, we’ve pulled together some of our top wellbeing focussed revision tips to help you make the most of your study time and bring some calm to your day!
Set manageable goals.
It’s really common to feel overwhelmed by your revision workload, so it’s important to take the time to plan ahead. Try and take the time to set a goal for what you want to achieve, every time you sit down to study (and test yourself on these!), this will ensure you’re getting something out of EVERY study session and will help give you a great sense of achievement and motivation.
Take a break and get active.
Break up your revision sessions with regular breaks and don’t feel guilty for doing so! There’s a plethora of evidence out there, stating how important scheduled breaks are to your concentration levels. So, don’t argue with science – take a walk, enjoy some fresh air, do some stretches. Research also shows that physical activity can increase blood flow, improve concentration, give heightened attention and enhance your focus and memory skills. So, when you do take those much-needed breaks, then try and get active!
Sleep.
There’s nothing better than a good night’s sleep – especially when it comes to memory retention. Scientists say we should aim to get 7-9 hours sleep a night to give your body the rest it needs and to be on top form. If you’re struggling to get to sleep, try reading a book 30 minutes before going to bed and avoid using mobile devices before bedtime (that infamous blue light really isn’t your friend when it comes to sleep!)
Refuel.
Have you ever experienced the frustration of reading a full chapter of a book, only to realise you’ve taken nothing in? Stop, get up and have a big drink of water – you’ll thank us later! Since your brain is mostly water, drinking it helps you think, focus and concentrate better and be more alert. Your diet and nutritional intake also play an important part in your energy levels, mood and stress levels, so try swapping the crisps and chocolate for fruit and nuts #brainfood.
Reach out.
One of the most important protectors of your mental health is social connections. When you’re in the thick of revision, it’s easy to feel isolated and alone, so make sure you take the time to reach out to friends, fellow students or your training lead (we love to chat!) Often, you’ll find others are in the same boat and you can be a great support to each other!
We hope these tips might help support you through your learning journey and help you make the most out of your revision sessions. You might find some work better than others as everyone is different, but what is most important is just to have self-awareness of what helps you, and make sure you take the time to find ways that look after your mental health. Please do get in touch if there is anything we can help you with.
