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You’ve just walked out of an exam. Maybe you’re feeling relieved, exhausted or already thinking about the questions you wish you’d answered differently.
And if you’ve got another exam coming up, you might feel like you need to get straight back into studying. But before you open those notes again, give yourself a moment to reset. Here are four ways to look after yourself between exams:
1. Give your brain a proper break
After hours of concentrating, it’s okay to step away from your study notes. Don’t jump straight into preparing for the next exam.
Take some time to unwind, whether that’s a quick walk, a nap or simply doing nothing for a little while. Taking a break is part of preparing for what’s next, too.
2. Resist the post-exam spiral
Was my answer right? Did I miss something? What did everyone else write?
It’s tempting to replay every question in your head or compare answers with friends after an exam.
While a little reflection can be useful, repeatedly worrying about answers you can no longer change might leave you feeling more stressed.
If you catch yourself overthinking, remind yourself that the exam is done. You can acknowledge how you’re feeling without needing to analyse every answer.
Try shifting your focus from what you can’t change to what you can do next.
3. Do something that helps you recharge
Self-care is just as important as studying. It could be grabbing your favourite comfort food, listening to music, catching up with a friend, going for a walk or enjoying some downtime without thinking about uni.
Need some inspiration? Watch how Curtin students practise self-care after an exam.
4. Ease into preparing for the next exam
Once you’ve had some time to decompress, think about what you need to focus on next. Set one or two realistic priorities for your next study session, rather than trying to catch up on everything immediately. And if you’re feeling particularly exhausted, it might be worth prioritising rest before returning to revision.
One exam at a time
Exam season can feel like a marathon, especially when your assessments are scheduled close together.
It’s important to give yourself permission to pause, recharge and recognise the effort you’ve already put in, too.
You’ve finished one exam. Take a moment before moving on to the next.
Need a little extra support?
If exam stress is starting to feel overwhelming, check in with yourself using the Wellbeing tool in OASIS to find personalised wellbeing resources based on how you’re feeling and what you need.
