Your health matters!

Exam season can be a demanding time, and it’s natural to feel the pressure as deadlines and revision start to build.

Alongside your academic commitments, taking care of your wellbeing is essential to help you stay focused, motivated and resilient.

Here are some simple, practical tips to help you look after yourself during the exam period.

Prioritise sleep 

It can be tempting to believe that late‑night cramming will help you achieve better grades, but this often has the opposite effect. Lack of sleep can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability, difficulty managing stress, and problems with concentration and clear thinking.

To support your wellbeing and academic performance, aim to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. Quality sleep plays a key role in cognitive function and memory retention, helping you feel more focused and prepared during exams.

Student Minds has a helpful article with practical tips on improving your sleep, so you can feel well‑rested throughout the exam season.

Maintain a healthy diet

Eating in a balanced and healthy way can have a positive impact on how you think, feel and behave. You don't need to completely change your diet, but making small changes can help you during exam season. 

Nourish

If you’re looking for healthier food options on campus, the Refectory’s Nourish counter is a great choice for a pre‑ or post‑study meal. It offers a wide range of nutritious, seasonal dishes, making it easy to enjoy something filling, flavoursome and good for you when you need it most.

Stay active 

Exercise can easily slip down the priority list during exam season, especially when you’re spending long hours in the library or studying in cafés around campus. However, staying active is really important as it can help boost your immune system, reduce stress, and improve focus and concentration, all of which can support your academic performance.

Try to build movement into your day by going for a walk, either on your own or with friends, or by fitting in a gym session between study periods. Even short bursts of activity can help you feel more energised, clear‑headed and ready to tackle your revision.

Premium Edge gym membership

Don’t forget you have a Premium Edge membership as part of your halls of residence contract! Your membership gives you access to over 130 exercise classes per week, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, personal trainers, swimming lessons and access to a whole host of other member benefits.

Regular breaks

Working hard is key to doing well in your assignments, but it’s just as important to take time to relax. Staying active and rewarding yourself with things you enjoy such as spending time with friends or getting involved in hobbies can help you to recharge and avoid burnout.

If you use a timetable or planner to organise your study time, remember to schedule regular breaks into your plan. Having something to look forward to can make balancing your university priorities feel more manageable and motivating.

Find out more about managing your time effectively in the article below.

Reach out for support

Stress can feel overwhelming at times, particularly during busy periods of academic work. If you’re finding things difficult, don't worry you’re not alone. Support is always available, and reaching out can make a real difference.

If you would benefit from extra guidance or advice on managing stress or anxiety during the exam period, you can find out more about the support available from the University below.