Some possible ways to handle some of the pre-exam and exam stress:
- Study what you do not know rather than spending lots of time on what you already know. You will see more progress.
- Complete your “hardest” studying early in the day, so that it will not hang over you all day.
- Study as you focus best: one subject per day or several subjects to break up your day.
- Stock up before exams on the necessities: frozen dinners; healthy snacks; beverages; pens; pencils; ink cartridges; etc.
- Plan a special celebration for the last night of exams so that you have something to look forward to as a reward.
- Decide some rewards that you will give yourself as you finish tasks. A small task gets a small reward; a big task gets a big reward.
- Say please and thank you more often than usual. Your kindness will likely elicit a smile from the recipient which will brighten your own day.
- Talk to at least one person who has nothing to do with law school each day. It will remind you that there is still life outside of the law school bubble.
- Avoid sugar or caffeine highs and crashes during studying; be careful with energy drinks because they are heavy on both sugar and caffeine.
- Get extra sleep several nights before each exam in case you have trouble sleeping the night before an exam.
- A light-hearted comedy at the movie theater is a great way to de-stress from an exam.
- At the end of each day, think of three small blessings you had that day. Examples: someone smiled at you; you heard a story that made you laugh; a family member called to wish you luck.
- Surround yourself with people who believe in you – in person, by phone, by text.
- Take an exercise break! You will de-stress, feel more alive, and sleep better at night.
- Enjoy simple pleasures: laugh with a child; pet a dog; sing a song; dance the Texas Two-Step around your living room.
Take a few deep breaths! Best wishes for exams. (Amy Jarmon)
