Features / Exams
Returning to exam halls: How to deal with assessments
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, many of us have seen our examinations move from the exam halls to online methods.
Others have had traditional assessments scrapped entirely, with grades being determined by work in class or by more flexible coursework.
Throughout the upcoming academic year, it will feel strange returning to the exam hall, as many of us have become accustomed to working from home at our own speed.
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For students across the country, the high pressure environment of the exam hall may be hard to adapt to – and many will be understandably anxious.
Warmer days are for studying outside – photo: Courtesy of the University of Bristol
There are a number of manageable yet significant things you can do in order to help overcome exam stress.
Making a study timetable is important – get in the rhythm of working in hour-long chunks.
Last year, many of us saw our studies interrupted due to increased distractions associated with working from home.
Having a structured timetable allows you to get back in the habit of working for longer periods of time and enables you to prioritise the areas of work that are of urgency or importance.
Organisation can help relieve stress, giving study sessions a sense of routine and familiarity.
Secondly, exam nerves will be calmed by getting out of the house and doing some exercise.
Although studying for long chunks can be good, many students make the mistake of staring at a computer screen for three or four hours uninterrupted without taking study breaks.
This increases levels of screen fatigue and makes you more restless the longer you sit in your chair.
Going for a walk in the fresh air can help clear your mind for half an hour.
From Ashton Court to Brandon Hill to the Downs and Leigh Woods, there are a plethora of green spaces to explore in Bristol when you need a break from studying.
Finally, although it may seem obvious, making sure you get a good night’s sleep is important to help overcome exam nerves.
Many of us promise ourselves we will get the recommended eight hours, but end up getting distracted by YouTube videos and scrolling through TikTok until the early hours.
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This has the knock on effect of hindering our studies the following day, as we still feel tired from the night before.
Ensuring you get enough sleep by knowing when to put your phone down at night is a small action which can have a big effect on your mood and ability to study.
Main photo: Robin Connolly
Read more: Mental health and wellbeing
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