Surviving Exam Season

BLOG #5- Surviving Exam Seasons- November 25th, 2024


As a university student, exam season often feels like a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s an opportunity to showcase everything I’ve learned. On the other, it brings an avalanche of stress and pressure that can easily overshadow my well-being. When exams roll around, it’s easy to fall into the trap of prioritizing study sessions over everything else. I often find myself glued to my textbooks, sacrificing sleep, social interactions, and even my gym routine. This relentless focus on academics not only harms my mental health but also takes a toll on my physical well-being.

With that in mind, I want to share a personal experience that highlights the dangers of neglecting mental health.

This summer, I took the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and my stress levels were through the roof. I knew it would be a difficult and time-consuming process, but I wasn’t fully prepared for the intense mental strain it would bring. It felt like I couldn’t afford to spend time on anything other than studying because the test seemed to hold my entire future in its hands. As a result, I stopped going to the gym, avoided hanging out with friends, and completely overhauled my routine.

By the end of the four months I spent preparing for the test, I felt like a shell of my former self. To my frustration, the anxiety I expected to disappear after finishing the exam lingered far longer than I had anticipated. The symptoms I experienced went beyond just stress and anxiety—I felt unmotivated to do anything. To cope, I began picking up unhealthy habits, like vaping, which I had previously quit, and making other poor choices that only worsened my overall sense of frustration and exhaustion.

I often told my friends how I felt like the MCAT caused prolonged anxiety, but I could never quite understand why—until I read Heine’s (2016) chapter on physical and mental health. He explains how chronic or prolonged stress can lead to a range of physical and mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. It can show up in different ways, like engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as smoking to cope. Prolonged stress can also weaken the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to sickness and other health threats.

Looking back, my experience with chronic stress during the MCAT preparation checked off every box. Although my case might be extreme, I’m sure many students can relate to the pressures of exam season.

Exams are inevitable, but don’t make the mistake I did. Prioritize your mental and physical health while preparing. Make time for yourself and the little things you enjoy. Take a break, hit the gym, grab lunch with your friends—whatever helps you recharge. Trust me, it makes a difference.

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