CANTA 7 - Exam Advice

With exams looming, and final deadlines approaching, we students are at the point where we cannot keep procrastinating our study uni work… it’s time to crack on and get some sh*t done. However, this can bring some rather stressful times, where sleep, relaxation, friends, and good habits go out the window in favour of sleep deprivation, a never-ending anxious state, a diet of weetbix and $3 rice, and downing a drink or sinking a pill that we really shouldn’t be. So, lets crack out my top five tips to surviving the looming exam period; whether you are first or final year, have one or four – you will benefit from at least one of these.

1. Put the goddamn phone down and stop mindlessly scrolling your Insta or Facebook feed. Those same depressing, monotonous, glorified pictures will still be there for you later on, and that photo can be liked later on. But, don’t deprive yourself, because that will just backfire; instead, schedule in a set time period in your day where you allow yourself a sneaky scroll and liking spree. Have it at a time where you know your studying isn’t at its best – maybe this is while you eat breakfast, or at the 3pm slump.

2. A sleep-deprived body is quite possibly the worst thing you could do for your exam prep. Make sure you put the books down and computer off at a decent time, and aim to get at least 7-hours a night – or whatever is your normal sleep schedule. Ideally, you’d be clocking near 8 hours a night, but I know we students are night owls, so this may be a stretch. Get the most out of your sleep by setting your electronics into ‘bluelight’ mode a few hours before you knock off, and keep your place of study away from your bed.

3. If you eat like shit, you’ll probably feel and perform the same. I don’t need to go on a nutritional rant about refined sugars and fats that give you the short-term boost of energy followed by the downward slump… it’s a nasty habit that you realllllly don’t want to get into. Take a bit of extra time to have some decent snacks on hand, and when you do cook, make a double batch so you’ll save time and have leftovers for the following days. Stuck for ideas? Hummus, nut butters, popcorn, fruit, dark chocolate, yogurt, dried fruit & nut mixes… you get my drift.

4. Make sure you get out of the house or the library and move your body. A half-hour walk, or gym session, will give you a much-needed break from the books and computer screen that’ll allow the knowledge to sink in while giving you a feel-good dopamine buzz to smash out the rest of your day. Don’t think you have time? Make time, you’ll be surprised at how much time we waste on needless things (like phone scrolling).

5. Be aware of the support services that UC offers if you are really feeling the pressure of exams, and your health is starting to take a serious dip. Extra staff and extended hours occur at the Health Centre over exam period, the Equity and Disability Service can provide assistance accommodating exam conditions for chronic and acute, mental and physical illnesses. The UCSA also likes to have some freebies and food available to students during this time, so keep your eyes peeled for any announcements from them.

Mental Illness Myth-buster: Men don’t get mental illnesses

I cannot re-iterate this any more than I already have – MENTAL ILLNESS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE.

Not gender. Not age. Not culture… religion… NOTHING.

Don’t be stupid a mate comes to you and is struggling with their life and health – be it feeling anxious, feeling down, or body/food issues. Don’t make a joke of it, don’t laugh it off… crack an honest and open conversation with them, and look after one another for goodness sake.