6 Things To Do Over Exam Period Besides Studying
Exams are the worst. The exam period can be a really stressful time. Here are some ways to clear your head of the sticky notes, highlighting, and lecture slide downloads. Just kick back and read this list of 6 things to do over exam period besides studying.
1. Long Evening Walks
Taking a walk is a great activity to do when the weather starts warming up. The sun sets later so you can go for walks from the late afternoon and into the evening. Grab a couple of your friends and hit the lake or park and just chill. Maybe pack a picnic and spend some time soaking up all that nature has to offer you. Physical activity is also a good way of getting your brain to aware and active. Holing yourself up in your room or the library with your books will make you even more tired.
2. Recreational Reading
If you spend a lot of time studying on your electronics, it might be a relief to read a physical book. This is one of the best things to do over exam period because you can lose yourself in a book and completely forget about the stress. Try picking something you enjoy, like a light or comedic novel or comic book. Whatever makes you feel comforted and provides you mental relief from the drag of reviewing the folders of notes you have saved on your laptop. Listening to an audiobook can also be a relaxing experience if you don’t feel like using your eyes since they’re probably already tired from studying.
3. Go Out To Dinner
Eating out is a great way to comfort your hungry soul and get some grub when you feel like leaving the house. Nurture yourself with whatever it is you love. Go for your own lunch, brunch, or dinner and own the space you have to indulge with yourself and your favorite meal. This is a good option if you don’t know how to cook. Remember to make time to eat, hydrate, and sleep. Being healthy over the exam period is more important than the number of hours you spend studying.
4. Cook Your Own Food
Contrary to my previous point, cooking can be as beneficial as eating out, and it’s probably going to be healthier. The act of cooking something, even though it is simple, can be cathartic in the sense that you are producing something that will benefit you. The routine of studying can often fool you into feeling the opposite. The mundaneness of it can become a discouraging factor in continuing your pursuits But with cooking, you know whatever you’re going to make will pay off. Even if it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to, at least you’ve spent time creating something.
5. Make Playlists
Making playlists is one of my favorite things to do over exam period, and really at any time of the year. It’s a way to curate something especially for yourself. Bring together your favorite songs and create a mood that is yours to enjoy forever! Pick 10 or more songs that are thematically related (the theme could just be that you love to jam out to them) and you’ve got your mixtape! Don’t spend too much time on this, because I personally have gone down the rabbit hole of spending all my time on Spotify.
6. Meditate
Some good old fashioned meditation can actually be really helpful in calming the nerves you might feel during exams. Meditation can take many forms, but it’s all about getting in touch with yourself and being aware of your body. When we’re studying we’re mostly living inside of our own heads, deep in thoughts of academia and perfecting your education. But meditation can help alleviate the pressures of perfectionism and help you strive for something more important: peace. Whether you meditate regularly or you’ve never done it before, meditating can be one of the best things to do over exam period.