WELL BEING | TOP 5 TIPS FOR DEALING WITH EXAM STRESS

So for most of us university students, exams are already underway or will be upon us by the end of the month.

This time of year can get a bit crazy for us, the pressure of exams approaches and creeps up on you out of nowhere and all of a sudden your mind is awashed with an anxiety that just won't let you be. As a result, we end up living in the library, fueling ourselves off endless coffees and energy drinks, working til 4 or 5 in the morning and forgetting what it looks like to live a normal daily schedule.

It's not too late to get on top of things. For those of you in need... I give you my last minute and exam-week guide for getting by without having a breakdown...

MY TOP 5 TIPS FOR DEALING WITH EXAM STRESS

#1   Organise what you have left of your revision time.  A timetable is great for this and can help you to track and monitor your progress. You should aim to do at least 5 to 6 hours per day of revision during the exam period, and if possible to do more. Try to figure out when you are at your most productive peak and slot in to revise around those times. 

#2   Avoid distractions - procrastination is inevitable but it's always best if you 'allow' for procrastination time within your day. Disconnect yourself from the internet for the time limit of your work, don't work in the library if you know it's just a social hub where all your friends will be, etc.

#3   Believe in yourself. This is key. If you know you have done the work to get the mark you deserve then you should have all faith in yourself. No one is perfect and you can only do the best that you can do.

#4   Avoid panic and placing exams out of perspective. A great tip for this is to practice mindfulness (you can view my previous blog post on this HERE) and to give yourself 'time out' where you can relax and rebuild your energy. Make sure you allow enough time for sleep too, eight hours as a minimum is essential for productive functioning.

#5   Eat well and avoid overloading on caffeine - Coffee, tea and energy drinks are all helpful in some respect but they should not become the staples of your diet. Incorporate healthy complex carbohydrates with iron-rich vegetables and good sources of protein in each meal. Eat reguarly and healthily to maintain motivation and brain power and to keep your physical and mental health working at its optimum. Be sure to keep yourself hydrated by drinking water throughout the day and if possible try to get 20 minutes of physical activity (it doesn't have to be a gym workout... a brisk walk home is fine!) into your day as well.

LIFESTYLE | FINAL COUNTDOWN

It's the final month of student life for me and it's all kicked off!

On Wednesday I handed in my hefty dissertation and now I am working towards my final essay and exam of the semester.

I've been busy baking in the Inkwell kitchen, over the last few weeks these beauties have been baked:

Toffee, Pecan and Banana Loaf

Orange and Poppyseed Cake with Chocolate Drizzle and Homemade Candy Peel

Raspberry Bakewell Cake (only got an Instagram pic - sorry!)

I've also started working in the kitchens at Opposite Cafe in Leeds - renound for it's superb coffee and amazing food with an always lively and buzzing atmosphere. I'm loving it. I am however very busy but still managing to fit in a good work/uni/life/playtime balance so GO ME.

Some highlights of "playtime" over the past few weeks have been...

#1   Losing my Brewdog Leeds virginity!

#2   Going to the preview for the new exhibition "Feast" at the Leeds Gallery and getting to try out the incredible Whisky Tornado creation by Bompas and Parr.

#3   Feeling 10 again and going bowling - dodgy dj, cheap drinks and £1.50 games... What could be better?

#4   Accidentally ending up at the new Jewish Artists in Yorkshire exhibition at the Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery in the University of Leeds Parkinson building on my library break... free wine and a live klezmer band!

#5   Post-dissertation drinks and buffet. More free wine...

WELL BEING | TOP 10 TIPS FOR KEEPING MIND HEALTHY AT UNIVERSITY

As a student at university it can be an extremely exciting and world-opening experience!

However, the increased pressure and expectations, alongside the massive change, can for some people at some point or another in their degree appear to be all too much to cope with...

...have no fear - you are not on your own!

Whether you have a mental health diagnosis or not, there is a lot of help out there for YOU as a student which is available at your disposal. Sometimes you might have to dig around for it but once you are able to engage with help it can help you to feel more grounded and balanced with your studies and social life.

I will talk about the help on offer for you in a post next week, but for now I'd like to share my TOP 10 tips on how to keep "mind healthy" at university. If you have any tips you feel are important and not mentioned then please get in touch! It would be great to know what works for different people :)

TOP 10 TIPS FOR KEEPING MIND HEALTHY AT UNIVERSITY!

1.  It is important to figure out what triggers your stress levels to run sky high (e.g. nearing deadlines, lack of social support, money issues, relationships, disrupted routine) and to be able to identify these and create yourself a network of support to help you from these situations becoming too intense for you to.

2.  Establish a good routine and structure - regularity can help to settle your mind and aid your work/life balance. Stick to a timetable or figure out your plans for the week ahead.

3.  Establish a group of close friends who you feel able to talk to and can turn to when life is particularly stressful. Try to avoid isolating yourself and hibernating away in your room (as appealing as it is at times) - TOO MUCH alone time is NOT good for anyone.

4.  Keep on top of your finances - figure out how much money you realistically have to spend each week as a student and use that as a guideline to work around - you're more likely to stay out of your overdraft this way and avoid any nasty end-of-term single figure surprises!

5.  Eat well and eat regularly - lots of whole grains and energy-fueling food.

Make sure you eat enough protein, whether meat or a vegetarian option and Omega 3 is extremely important for keeping your mind healthy.

6.  Get involved with extra-curricular activities.

It can be a university society, a community group, part-time job, volunteering, etc...

7.  Getting enough sleep is VITAL - this can also help you with regulating a routine. Eight hours sleep minimum if you can. It's really not that big a deal going to bed before 1am as a student (unless you're out partying EVERY NIGHT) and you'll feel much better for it anyway.

8.  Exercise is also essential for maintaining a healthy mind. Try to do 20 minutes of brisk exercise at least five days a week, even if it's just walking to or from uni instead of taking the bus on some days or biking down to the supermarket for your shopping. You don't necessarily need a gym - if anything, being out in the fresh air will be much better for you.

9. How much are you drinking? Are you partying too much? Too much drink or too much party can cause anyone a slight moment of madness. You end up in that situation of asking yourself "What is my life?" (we've all been there!) - if you know this is going to upset your "balance" then recognise this and take action. It's ok to party, it's good for you(!), but try to understand your limits and use it as a treat. Your mind and your bank-balance will thank you...

10.  If you feel that your problems are severely affecting your ability to live and study then PLEASE contact external help. There are many options available for you as a student out there which can help you to manage your issues whilst at university (MORE ON THIS NEXT WEEK!).

However - If you ever feel in a point of crisis then please contact Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90.

LIFESTYLE | PARTY VS. WORK

It's been a pretty few weird weeks for me and it's about to get HEAVY.

 

6000 word dissertation deadline, a mid-term essay and a project on Iran's nuclear program are looming ever closer.

 

LET'S DO THIS.

 

On the plus side I went to what was probably one of my best nights out in Leeds this week. A Set One Twenty night at the The Garage playing host to Duke Dumont and Isaac Tichauer on the decks.

BACK TO WORK FOR ME.

 

But watch this space...

 

No partying for me this week, however it is CHINESE NEW YEAR today and PANCAKE DAY on Tuesday so there'll be some goodies coming you way I hope.

 

I'm also going to attempt to make THESE beauties this week:

 

 

Photos (top-bottom): Set One Twenty; My Own; My Own; The Wannabe Chef.

ORGANISATION | FINAL SEMESTER (EVER!)

And so it begins... albeit a day late due to the snow but I'm back into work mode and ready to DO THIS.

I've got my hefty timetable with a ridiculous four contact hours at university a week with a delightful minimum of 30 hours independent study time per week. I've also included essential cat naps.

If you find where my life has gone can you point it back in my direction please? Thanks.

Hi library (aka NEW BEST FRIEND).

If you would like your own handy 8am-8pm timetable for Monday to Sunday then feel free to download your  very own version for free HERE.

You can download it and fill it in on a computer and then print it off or you can print off blank copies and choose to fill them in by hand.

My TOP TIPS for a SUCCESSFUL TIMETABLE:

1.  When making a timetable it is important to remember that it can be as loose or as rigid as you feel it needs to be.

2.  Include your university contact hours, appointments and personal commitments.

3.  Allow time for enough play alongside work, but realistically schedule in time for independent learning (aim for at least 2 hours a day if possible).

4.   Have a copy of your timetable saved on your laptop, that way you can update it on a weekly basis with any new personal commitments or appointments that may arise). 

5.  Set yourself personal goals and deadlines to keep yourself motivated and more organised with your workload. If you struggle with time-keeping and getting all your work done last minute then this can be a life-saver.

6.  Allow for procrastination time. If you know you are going to want to check facebook, watch TV, make a cup of tea or like me, nap, then allow for this in your timetable. If you do, that way you account for it and are less likely to feel guilty for doing that. Schedule your workload to fit around distractions, it is only normal.

If this is up for your street and you'd like to find out more ideas on how to keep on top of work then check out my article for the Leeds Student 'Get Organised: How to Have a Sussed Semester' HERE.

INSPIRATION | #3

After a much-needed week off it is back to uni for me!

My last semester of education starts on Monday (unless I sporadically decide to do a Masters degree in the future). I am however unsure as to whether I will be able to get back to university tomorrow. The snow is due to hit hard again this evening and our country is pathetic at dealing with this weather.

I have been geeking it up already... new folders, notebooks, pads of paper and stationary.

Organising, labelling, printing, etc. Yeah... I'll miss this part next year.

Let's hope this term is a good one!

Here's some inspiration to get you going:

 Photos: Various images off tumblr. 

LIFESTYLE | CHRISTMAS BREAK

One more week and then I am free.

Free to go home for a month and enjoy the Christmas period and all its fine festivities!

As much as I love my little workspace I think a change of scenery would be warmly welcomed right now.

 

Okay, I'm technically not free.

No... not free at all actually due to a lovely workload consisting of a 1500 word report, 3500 word project, 3000 word essay... oh and a  two hour exam to revise for too!

*and that 12,000 word dissertation but we won't go into that...

I do however have lots to look forward to! For starters...

I have a lovely family and (warm!) home to return to. Then there's the annual process of transforming our house into a tacky Christmas grotto (it gets worse every year...). Frosty winter walks in the woods. Plus I'll also be making Mince Pie's with my Nana - she is going to teach me how to make a GOOD pastry this year!

To ease myself into the spirit of all things Christmas I am hosting what will hopefully be a rather jazzy Christmas Dinner this Sunday with some of my favourite boyos and I also have a few little Christmassy themed cooking/baking sessions and projects lined up for the weeks ahead so I will be keeping you posted with those. 

But for me right now...

Bring on the home comforts and some Christmas cheer!

LIFESTYLE | PROCRASTINATION

AH. I AM HATING ON FINAL YEAR.

So much stress. So much drama. So much eurghhhhh.

My first "official" dissertation deadline is looming (3000 word hand-in) next Friday and I am running around like a headless chicken. My days are over-run by sticking to a routine fuelled by severe amounts of built-in procrastination.

Not so productive...

Anyway, sorry for being M.I.A. as of late.

To make up for it I'll share with you a little bit of my procrastination.

I did a little breakfast feature for the Leeds Student news paper on the benefits of oats...including some delicious porridge variations/recipes which you can check out online here.

This weekend is unfortunately procrasti....WORK-orientated.

I am however very much looking forward to a sneaky bit of Saturday baking tomorrow so keep your eyes peeled! Let's hope it's a bit more successful than my All-Bran loaf which I made last Saturday...

...can anyone tell I forgot to add the baking powder?!

(It was still pretty damn tasty!)

INSTAGRAM | #3

It's been a busy week for me.

University started up again and I was eager to get back into a good routine for the year ahead.

So far, so good.

Stress levels are HIGH and the pressure is ON.

I am managing to find a nice balance between work and play which is always a plus.

My week in INSTAGRAM (from L-R):

1.  A spot of bedroom DJing.

2.  A warming breakfast of coffee and a bowl of oatmeal with nectarines and brown sugar. 

3.  My friend Sam getting excited (and rightly so) over his set at Canal Mills on Saturday!

4.  Ice cream times.

5.  Club stamps.

6.  Hiding away in the Brotherton Library at the University of Leeds.

7.  The (not so) delightful view from my window most mornings.

8.  GOTHS playing a bit of techno music.

9.  An update of the leak from the previous instagram post... that room is slowly falling apart.

You can see more of my instagram snaps and follow me HERE.

ORGANISATION | GETTING BACK INTO A ROUTINE

It's absolutely disgusting outside.

It's definitely rather grim up North.

The rain just won't stop pouring and the wind is whistling it's way through my draughty windows.

University has started back up again and I've concocted a 7am-10pm weekly schedule to keep my studies in check. It allows for some flexibility so I hopefully won't become a robot. Hopefully.

With only four measly contact hours a week it's probably wise though.

Final year is underway and I'm going to kick it's butt.

HI ROUTINE!

7am.

Porridge.

Strong Coffee.

Radio 4.

MOVING DAY

Tomorrow is MOVING DAY.

The car is packed and I'm all set to move into my new pad.

The downside is we have a 5am start.

I will be M.I.A. until the weekend I imagine but I will be sure to update you once I am settled.

ADIOS.

MOOD BOARD | SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER.

AUTUMN IS COMING. I CAN FEEL IT.

September is also the start of the new academic year.

This year is my FINAL year.

I welcome September with big wide arms as for me it marks a fresh start and a time for working and falling back into a routine. Routine is KEY for this year as I will have a dissertation to write and various essays and exams to work towards.

It gets cool enough to start eating porridge (that's oatmeal for you American's) again and the evenings are suited to slow-cooked stews and inside-activities (like den-making!).

I can start wearing my favourite wardrobe staples again too.

Boots, layers, chunky knits, leather and fur.

I'm particularly looking forward to decorating my new apartment (which I move into in ten days!) and creating my own personal workspace for the year ahead.