I used to see April as an optimistic transition into spring: the days getting longer, flowers emerging from their muddy cocoons, and the slow death of winter. And yes, I know that the first technical day of spring happens in March, but the Victoria weather system is a lawless land, filled with second winters that rear their ugliness just as spring offers a sample of pleasantness.
Why am I talking about seasons? Well, it’s an appropriate transition into discussing the exam season that’s quickly approaching—sorry about the jump scare.
For students, April instead symbolizes a wrestling match, where pupils face off with burnout, a desire to do well, brain fatigue, adrenaline, and anxiety. I wish these phenomena attacked us with spandex thongs and cool wrestling names instead of slithering into our minds quietly, whispering sinister “What ifs?” causing inner turmoil and a pulsating stress that beats behind our temples, but here we are. (Stay with me: I promise I’ll eventually say something positive.)
To assist with the upcoming stress, I’ve devised a list of five stress-management tactics to ensure you thrive during the arduous final stretch of the semester. And if you’re asking what makes me qualified to report on mental wellness, let me tell you: absolutely nothing. However, this isn’t my first rodeo. After surviving many exam seasons and coming out on the other side, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t.
1. Ask for help
While this might seem like an obvious piece of advice, it’s easy to get sucked into an endless pit of homework and studying and by the time you realize you need assistance, it’s too late—trust me, I’ve been there. Plan ahead now: book time to visit teachers during office hours, make appointments at the Writing Centre, and plan some study sessions with friends. A portion of stress can stem from feeling unprepared. Organizing early on will help with managing stress levels when the semester crescendos into a twister of due dates and exams. To avoid getting swept up, plan an alternate route and enjoy the semi-calm seas.
2. Monitor your mental health
I recently heard a classmate compare mental health to doing maintenance on a car: if your car starts to make a weird noise, the quicker you get it taken in for maintenance, the better. If you neglect to do so, your car will break down eventually, there’s just no telling when. This is something I can personally attest to. My mental health starting to slide can feel like I’m standing in a shallow puddle of water, which isn’t ideal, but manageable. However, without warning, this puddle can suddenly rise up to my neck, leaving me gasping for air and unable to find solid ground. If you find your mental health declining, book an appointment with a counsellor or find someone trusted to talk to and let them know that you need help. Additionally, counsellors at Camosun are free; booking information is available at camosun.ca/services/health-and-wellness/counselling-centre/access-counselling.
3. Go outside
All of the time spent indoors studying and essay writing is enough to make anyone feel like a rat in a cage (despite all our rage). So, leave the cage behind and take a walk in the woods, or go stare at the ocean for a while and breathe in all the seaweed-infused air that Vancouver Island has to offer. It’s impressive what spending the occasional 30 minutes outside can do for your well-being. Next time you’re sitting down for homework, plan to take a break and go for a walk around the block, blast some music, and get away from the screen. It’ll do wonders.
4. Meditation or journalling
I recently downloaded a guided meditation app (Headspace) on my phone because it was recommended to me by a therapist. I used to boo meditation as a form of stress management because I couldn’t shut my brain off for long enough for it to have any effect, which in turn would leave me feeling worse. That being said, once I discovered guided meditation, I noticed a significant positive effect on managing my day-to-day stress—I really can’t suggest it enough. Finding a daily(ish) activity like guided meditation or journalling will help in facilitating an overall sense of well-being.
5. Plan me time
Lastly, plan time for yourself, even if it’s for an hour. I find that my social battery can be easily drained throughout school, so I like to schedule a time once a week to either take a long bath, play a video game, or watch a horror movie. If you need a distraction from school, make a date with a friend, or plan an activity that you genuinely enjoy doing that has nothing to do with homework or school. Having something to look forward to can be extremely beneficial in reducing stress.
I hope these tips ensure a smooth voyage through the remainder of your semester. Happy studying!