I am an anxious man.

Always have been.

And like a lot of anxious people, I procrastinate.

I lost way too many hours doom scrolling / consuming forgettable media instead of just studying.

Result?

I had to cram more than my classmates and this made exams hard to manage.

My stress levels easily went x1000.

Now, the obvious solution is to stop procrastinating.

But it's a bit late for that, when we're already in December.

You have college exams coming up and you need results!

Here are a few tips you can use now to make the most of December.

Start now and Create a Study Schedule

Procrastination leads to unnecessary stress and last-minute cramming.

(mostly useless)

To avoid this, start now and create a study schedule.

Break down the material into manageable chunks and allocate specific study sessions for each topic.

This will not only help you stay organized but also allow for more time to revise and reinforce the learned material.

Manage your time

Effective time management is key to reducing stress during exams.

Do the biggest, hardest task first..

Allocate dedicated time slots for studying, breaks, and relaxation to maintain a healthy balance.

Avoid overworking yourself by setting realistic goals.

You can read more about time management here.

Take care of the hardware.

Don't forget you have a body.

Take proper care of it and it will have a significant impact on your stress levels.

You'll feel better and be a better student.

Make sure to eat nutritious meals, stay hydrated, and get regular exercise. Physical activity can help reduce stress, boost your mood, and improve cognitive function.

Also check this previous letter about exercising.

Get some sleep

(What's the point of sleeping, anyways?)

Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation and cognitive function.

Aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

Establish a bedtime routine to signal your body that it's time to unwind and relax.

I like to dim the lights for 30 minutes or so and drink some herbal tea.

You try stuff until you find something you like.

Hippie stuff

(no, not the drugs)

A daily relaxation routine can help lower stress and improve focus.

(it feels nice too!)

Try deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga to calm your mind and relax your body.

Find what works best for you.

Reach out.

Remember, you're not alone.

(and if you are alone, check our letter about networking)

Reach out to friends, family, or classmates for support.

Having a good study group will

• help you grasp difficult concepts

• keep you motivated

• give you courage.

Take Breaks and Relax

Does burnout sound like a good time?

Schedule regular breaks during study sessions to rest, recharge, and engage in hobbies or relaxation techniques.

Your productivity will go way up.

(maybe set up a timer so your break doesn't last the whole day)

Practice Self-Care

Self-care is essential during exams to fight stress effectively.

(not only during exams. More like during your whole life)

Engage in activities that bring you joy and help you relax.

Whether it's taking a walk in nature, reading a book, or listening to music, carve out time each day to do something for yourself.

My personal favorites were silo walks in the park and drawing.

I try to avoid passive stuff as much as possible (like browsing the web).

Your self-care activities should bring some contrast to your studies.

Find that sweet spot where things feel “refreshing”.

Now is the part of the list where I write things I didn't do when I was in college (but should have done).

Those last two items would have saved me a bunch of time and effort.

Maintain a Positive Mindset

A positive mindset can make a significant difference in your ability to manage stress during exams.

Instead of dwelling on negative thoughts or outcomes, focus on your strengths and previous successes.

Utilize positive affirmations and visualizations to boost your confidence and reduce anxiety.

Or else, it's back to doom scrolling on Twitter.

Seek Help if Needed

Before it's too late.

If stress becomes overwhelming or if you're struggling to cope, don't hesitate to seek help.

Many colleges and universities offer counseling services or have resources available to support students during stressful times.

Do that now and exams will be less painful.

(hey I didn't say painless, OK?)

Till next time,

After Class