It’s the most dreaded time of the block once again. By now we’ve all had to drop our Holiday moods and face the reality: it’s exam season. For the last exams, I wrote a guide on how to survive your first exams. Now that you’re familiar with these chaotic times, I’m giving you 5 ways to cope with the overwhelming stress that exam season brings about. If you’re on the brink of a meltdown, don’t worry! I’ve got a few tips that I guarantee will make you feel a bit better!

1. Take a 10 min walk

Intense study sessions always mean that you’ll be stuck sitting at your desk for hours. That, combined with the amount of focus required can be very draining for your brain. You’ll likely become tired and restless very quickly, and this can very easily lead to stress. If you’re stuck reading the same paragraph over and over, or can’t figure out how to get through that complicated exercise, it’s best to stop. Step outside for 10 minutes and just walk around. Even this small break is enough distraction for your brain to rest and calm down. Tip: if you’re in the UB, walk over to the Forum and go to the rooftop terrace, it’s the most calming spot in the city.

2. Laugh

Yes, it’s as ridiculous as it sounds. If you’re stressed, laughing is one of the quickest, most stress-relieving solutions. Look at some memes, talk to some friends, look up a funny video… there are many ways. If nothing seems funny to you, then try forcing yourself to laugh. At some point, it’ll be so ridiculous that you’ll start laughing for real. A good laugh can reduce levels of cortisol and epinephrine (stress hormones) and increase your levels of dopamine (making you happy)!

3. Dance

You’ve heard of “fake it ‘til you make it”, now get ready for “shake it ‘til you make it”. Dancing when you’re stressed works under the same principle as both of the tips mentioned above. On the one hand, the dancing will “wake up” your brain, release some endorphins, and make you feel more energized. On the other hand, it’ll also make you laugh and feel happier. The more ridiculous your dancing, the better. Put on some bops and start jamming, just please don’t do it at the UB.

4. Dark chocolate

For all you lazy souls out there, finally something you can do without leaving your desk! When getting ready for a long study session, make sure to stuff some dark chocolate in your bag. Studies show that dark chocolate can reduce stress-hormones, as well as anxiety. Apparently, it also improves your mood! Make sure to stock up on cookies, chocolate bars, and anything else you can think of, no excuses needed. 

5. Big hug

If you’re physically, mentally, and emotionally drained, this is the best solution. A big bear hug will not only help you de-stress, but it will also help the other person feel better as well! This is because human contact is a natural stress-reliever. If you’re cooped up studying all day, you might be missing some affection. Call up your friends or your loved ones and tell them you need a hug. I promise you it will make your day 10 times better. Exam season is hugging season y’all.


I wish you all the best of luck in all of your exams and assignments! If you have any other anti-stress methods, let me know in the comments below!