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Taking care of both your mind and body during assessment periods is crucial for maintaining productivity, mental health, and overall performance. To mark Mental Health Awareness Week and exam periods, we have compiled a guide on everything you need to know when looking after your wellbeing during exams.

How does wellbeing affect studying? 

������� expert and Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Charlotte Morris, said: “It is important to care for our wellbeing as much as possible while studying. This really helps with concentration and enjoyment of our subjects. 

Conversely, when wellbeing is negatively affected it can be really hard to focus and make the most of your degree. To avoid too much stress and burnout, organise your time carefully, look after your physical health, take plenty of breaks and make time to socialise. 

Make sure you talk to someone if you're feeling low - make the most of your family, friends, and support at uni. Also, keep things in perspective - this is just one part of life, and grades aren't everything, they don't define you as a person.”

Here are some of our tips for taking care of your wellbeing during exams:

1. Plan and Prioritise

Accepting your feelings: it’s okay to feel anxious, it means that you care about the exam and that you want to feel prepared for it.

Break down tasks: To make the workload feel less overwhelming, don’t try to tackle everything at once, and instead break down your study material into manageable chunks.

Set realistic goals: Each day, set a reasonable study goal based on how much time you have. You can do this by applying the to your goals. Don’t forget to celebrate small wins and reward yourself to keep motivation high.

Use a study schedule: Set time for studying, but also make sure to include breaks, meals, rest periods and social time. Try to stick to a routine as much as possible to avoid last-minute cramming.

2. Take Breaks and Rest

Follow the 50/10 Rule: Study for 50 minutes, then take a 10-minute break. This keeps your brain fresh and helps you retain information better.

Relaxation and downtime: Set aside time for relaxation, even if it’s just for a walk, reading, snuggling with your pet or listening to music, make sure you prioritise doing what you enjoy. You can find more tips on how to relax through .

3. Self-care

Exercise: Get yourself moving, even light physical activities, like stretching or a short walk, help reduce stress by boosting your mood and energy levels.

Eat nutritious foods and stay hydrated: Enjoying plenty of fruits, vegetables, and protein will support your brain function and energy. Avoid too much caffeine or sugary snacks, as they can cause energy crashes. Make sure you also drink plenty of water to stay hydrated; this can help with focus and concentration.

Prioritise sleep: whilst it’s tempting to study late into the night, there is plenty of evidence to show that this reduces academic performance. Sleep is vital for your physical and mental health as well as for learning..

See your friends: It’s common to feel that you don’t have time to see your friends when exam periods are coming up, but connection to others is one of our human needs. Obviously, going out every night is likely to have a negative impact on your study, but meeting up with friends and having some fun can help you let off steam.

4. Mindfulness and Stress Management

Practice Mindfulness: Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness exercises might sound cliché, but they can really help calm your exam anxiety and improve focus.

Stay positive: It’s easy to get caught up in negative thoughts, but try to maintain a positive mindset. Sometimes it’s easier to start with the small things to feel positive about, such as having a good night's sleep or that you studied for 40 minutes without getting distracted. Remind yourself that you’re doing your best and that setbacks are part of the learning process.

Reach out for support: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to someone. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or the university wellbeing team, social support can make a big difference.

5. Avoid Procrastination

Stay on track: Procrastination can increase stress, especially when deadlines are approaching. Break tasks into smaller steps and focus on making progress rather than perfection.

Limit distractions: Set up a quiet and clutter-free study space. Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” or use apps that limit distractions to help you stay focused on your studying.

6. Remember to Celebrate

Acknowledge your progress: Even if things don’t go perfectly, take time to acknowledge how much effort you’ve put in. Celebrate small successes, like finishing your planned study session or completing an assignment.

Reward yourself: After a successful study session or after an exam, treat yourself to something you enjoy—whether that’s a favourite snack, a relaxing activity, or a fun movie.

7. Seek Professional Help if Needed

If you feel that the stress and anxiety are impacting your wellbeing, or have other mental health concerns, it’s important to seek help. 

For current students

The university’s offers free mental health, wellbeing and counselling support. You can find more information about wellbeing at the university and what other wellbeing activities for students we have to offer. 

You can also take part in the University's or Student Union’s for more wellbeing activities for students.

Everything you need to know about what to expect during your exam period at the university can be found under our .