Exams have always felt like one of life’s necessary evils, much like queues or Olly Murs. And even though exams are designed to showcase how capable we are, it’s all too easy to get bogged down in the stress of the season. But fear not, we asked the team here at Inspiring Interns for their best exam relaxation techniques and these were the top five.

Be Positive

Somewhere down the line, exams picked up a terrible rep. Too many of us now see them as minefields of fear and trepidation. If this sounds like you then try adjusting your mindset. Instead of focussing on what you don’t know, start with topics you’re familiar with. The confidence boost will push you on through stickier subjects and remind you that you’re up to the test.

Prepare Yourself Mentally and Physically

You don’t need us to tell you that preparation is key. From post it notes to spider charts, everybody revises in different ways. But with so much time dedicated to the R word, it’s easy to forget about your physical wellbeing. So here are a few things to keep in mind.

Eat! When your brain is working overtime, it’s crucial to keep it whirring. Foods high in protein make perfect fuel as do whole grains like brown rice and oats and, of course, fruits and vegetables. Be sure to drink plenty of water and try and get a bit of exercise every day. Even a quick jog to the shop will stimulate blood flow and release endorphins.

Practice Meditation

Nothing too heavy- just a couple of minutes every day to clear your mind. Try and get out of your place of work and find a quiet spot to centre yourself. No phones, no binders, just you and your thoughts. Take some time to enjoy a few deep breaths away from the pressures and distractions of revision. It’ll lower your heart rate and help to ease any lingering stress or anxiety.

Get In, Get On, Get Out

Exams belong in the exam room. When they do eventually roll around, it can be tempting to pick apart each question with your classmates afterwards. From our experience, this only leaves you doubting your own answers and never appeases any worries you may have.

So come pens down, take some time to get away from the hubbub. Treat yourself to a muffin, a mocha, a mojito, whatever floats your boat. Just relax and rest assured that you’ve done the best job you could.

Keep It Simple

At times of heightened stress, many of us feel the need to make drastic changes to our day to day lives. But the fact is we humans love structure. Your existing routines, regimes and networks all provide comfort and relief so ditching them for exam season does more harm than good.
Try a few of these methods out and see what works for you. A few little tweaks might just make a big difference. So whatever you study be prepared, be confident… and breathe.

Ed Jones writes for Inspiring Interns, which specialises in finding candidates their perfect internship. To browse our graduate jobs London listings, visit our website.

What techniques work for you? Tweet us @InspiringInterns and let us know.