Tips for Maintaining Mental Health During Testing Season

Practice Self-Care

Self-care is a term that you’ve probably heard lately, but what does it mean? Self-care is anything you do to nourish yourself. It can be as simple as eating your favorite snack or as complex as doing yoga and meditation. Self-care can lead to personal growth and change, especially during these stressful times.

Some people find self-care easy because they have grown up with an understanding of the importance of self-care from an early age. But for some people, self-care can be difficult to even think about because they are so used to giving their time and energy to others. You cannot pour from an empty cup, so figuring out what fills you up is essential, and you must be intentional about following through.

Talk About It

Talking to someone can help you feel more confident and less alone. You can talk to parents or roommates, friends, a teacher, or a counselor.

You might feel nervous about the test because of something you heard around school. Sometimes, it helps to talk with someone about your concerns. The people who know you best may have some words of encouragement for you, or maybe they need to hear that the pressure is on. They could also have ideas for how you can relax about the test. Before you start the conversation, communicate to the listener whether you just need to vent or you need advice. You don’t want the conversation to give you more anxiety, so be careful how you set up the chat.

Take Breaks From Studying

Your brain needs breaks from studying to function at its best. Try scheduling study sessions with your friends and taking a break every hour or two. You could go for a walk, take a nap, watch some TV, or listen to music. Whatever you do, try to focus on something other than the test during your breaks.

Get Plenty of Rest

If you have a lot of studying to do, you may think that staying up late is the best way to get it done. However, getting enough rest is even more important than studying for an extra hour or two. It’s better to go to sleep at a reasonable time and review again the next day.

If you’re not getting the recommended amount of sleep, your mind won’t be as sharp when remembering instructions, solving problems, and thinking critically. Students should strive for at least seven hours of sleep every night, especially the night before their exam.

Work hard, but don’t stress yourself out about your exams. Follow these tips for maintaining mental health during testing season, and you will do just fine!