How can students manage their energy levels during exam period?

Exam time is a stressful period for many students.  It is that time of year where we wake up early, go to bed late and spend numerous hours sitting down at our desks writing notes, memorising essays and flicking back and forth between books trying to cram everything in before that important exam date. If you are preparing for your exams then it is important that you are following the basic energy principles so that you are ready to perform. Athletes take great care to make sure their energy levels are in the best shape possible for performing. Do you?

Having the right energy levels throughout exam period is a key factor for any high performing student. If you don’t think about what you eat before and during study time, then there is a good chance that your energy levels won’t be what they need to be at important moments in the day. If you want to think clearly, be more creative and make great decisions then it is vital that your energy levels are in great shape. Staying hydrated when studying and throughout exam period is fundamental.  Just a 1-2% dehydration level will start bringing about unhelpful side-effects for performing (loss of concentration, moodiness and headaches). If you can manage your hydration, nutrition and rest and recovery then this will help to reduce your stress levels.

Here are 3 things that you can do to improve your energy levels throughout exam period

1. Think of yourself as a performer who needs to be physically and mentally fit for purpose. If you can effectively manage your energy levels then this will help to fulfil your potential.
2. Make sure that you are thinking about what is coming up over the next couple of weeks and months so that you are physically prepared for the exam period. Create a timetable to help you to be prepared for the challenges, as well as the day to day stuff.
3. Work on the simple things – Get into simple eating, resting and hydration habits to help you perform (E.g. drink 2 litres of water a day, have regular breaks throughout your study time).

Hannah’s story

Hannah was preparing for her GCSES which were 6 weeks away. Hannah put a lot of pressure on herself to perform well in exams and often worried about how she would manage all of her revision. Hannah knew that focusing on her energy was going to be important, therefore she developed a simple energy plan. Her simple plan was to:

• Be in bed, ready to sleep by 10.00 every night to try and get the best quality sleep possible.
• Get a 2litre bottle of water on her revision desk so that she could make sure that she finished it by the end of day, sipping little and often.
• Eat evening meals no later than 8pm at night so there’s no chance of late eating interfering with sleep quality.

Hannah had to spend some time organising her plan, but after trying it out for a couple of weeks, Hannah found that she had more consistent energy levels. She found that her concentration levels had improved and a reduction in her stress levels.

The next time you are preparing for an exam why don’t you try and develop your own energy plan? Not only will you see a physical and mental difference but it can also help to boost your chances of succeeding in your exams.