Looking after Your Mental Health This Assessment Season

This assessment season we want to make sure that you feel supported and ready to tackle your exams and assignments. Although you will be spending more of your time studying, you also need to make sure you are taking care of yourself.  

Whether it is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, getting adequate rest time, or reaching out for advice and support – there are plenty of ways you can head into assessments in the right frame of mind.  

Five tips for looking after your mental health during assessments 

1. Limit your screen time  

Social media can be a great tool for keeping in touch with friends or course mates, and even collaborating on ideas and study resources. However, it can also be a distraction that causes you to procrastinate or feel that you are behind on your studies.    

Taking a break from your phone whilst you are in the zone will help you to focus on the task at hand. Leaving your phone in another room will also give you an opportunity to take short breaks during your study sessions. 

If music helps you focus, try using a smart speaker or a hidden tab on your laptop, instead of your phone – instrumental music won’t have any lyrics to distract you either! 

2. Take short but regular breaks  

Even though you are in the assessment period, it’s important to remember that late nights and long, intense study sessions can lead to burn out. Having a routine and allowing yourself to rest in between study periods will give you more energy when it comes prepping for exams. 

A good rule of thumb is that 5 to 10 minutes every hour is better than 20 minutes every 2 hours. Taking these short breaks more often will keep you motivated, but also aligned with the task at hand. 

During study breaks, in the evening or over the weekend, you should allow yourself time to unwind and do something you enjoy. This might include checking out parks and green spaces or attending an event with your friends. Looking for inspiration? We’ve done the hard work and pulled together some ideas so you can make the most of your downtime! 

3. Create a routine 

Setting up a routine for your studies and sticking to it, is the best way to stay focused and motivated. Just like your university timetable, having dedicated study time will encourage you to stay on task and take your breaks. 

Everyone works in different ways, so make sure that your routine works for you – and be aware that this may not align with your course mates or friends. Having set time for independent study can be really beneficial, and even changing up your study spot can keep things fresh. 

Whether you are looking for more study spots on campus or study friendly coffee shops to work in, we’ve got you covered.  

4. Get study skills support 

If you are feeling unsure about the format of your assessments, or simply want a quick refresher before your exams – you’ll want to check out our Study Skills workshops. Covering everything from time management, presentation skills, and academic writing style, there will be something relevant to you. 

These workshops take place online and on-campus, and you will earn 5 Rise points for every session you attend. Not only that, but you will leave with confidence ahead of sitting your exams, which will take some of the pressure off you. 

5. Reach out when you need to 

We know that assessments can be busy and overwhelming, but if you are starting to feel worried or anxious , then you can always  reach out for support. Our Counselling, Mental Health, and Wellbeing services offer 1-2-1 appointments and plenty of other resources. 

You can access support at any time of day with our 24/7 free helpline, where you can speak to a trained councillor about any personal issues – study related or otherwise.