By Fredrick Adika

The exam period is upon us, and along with it comes a very charged atmosphere around campus. Libraries start getting busier and busier, the cafeterias slowly turn into a combination of dining and study rooms, and even the casual walks turn into focused, quick dashes to study sessions. For a majority of students, this is a very intense period marked by immense pressure, focus, and determination. While it is essential to achieve strong academic results, mental health should not be overlooked as it plays a crucial role in sustaining productivity, creativity, and confidence. The ability to manage stress effectively during this period can make the difference between feeling overwhelmed and performing at your best.

While most stress can be negative, if well managed, it can motivate and sharpen focus, allowing one to perform better. However, if left uncontrolled, it often leads to anxiety, burnout, or even physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and insomnia, thereby negatively affecting your studies and your life. At a time like this, you need to be able to absorb as much content as possible, recall information, and think critically. Only with a healthy, balanced mind are you better equipped to do so. In other words, nurturing your mental health is a performance strategy, not a luxury

Although managing stress levels during the exam period can be challenging, there are effective ways to maintain a balance. One is to study in a structured rather than panic-stricken manner. This means breaking revision into manageable and targeted sessions spread over several days or weeks, thereby curbing the frantic, last-minute cramming that induces worry and stress. Create a working timetable prioritizing subjects and topics based on importance and level of preparedness. Additionally, employ the 50-10 rule, where for each 50-minute study session, take a 10-minute break to maintain focus and prevent mental fatigue. Do not scroll through the phone during these breaks; instead, utilize the breaks to stretch, take a short walk, or hydrate, and perform other simple actions that help reset the brain for the next round of study.

Another factor is getting adequate sleep. While the temptation to pull an all-nighter during exam season is strong, sleep deprivation has been scientifically proven to cause poor memory retention, impair problem-solving skills, and negatively affect concentration.

Nutrition is also a key factor that promotes a balanced mental state while studying for exams. Choose balanced meals such as fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and plenty of water. Healthy diets fuel the brain and sustain energy as opposed to sugary snacks and excessive caffeine, which, while they offer a short-term boost, often lead to energy crashes and heightened anxiety.

Lastly, collaborate with others if that is what works well for you. Academic preparation does not have to be a solitary or overly stressful journey. Joining study groups keeps one accountable and promotes understanding of challenging topics. Furthermore, it is less isolating to study in groups.

The university has valuable resources to help students not only study efficiently, but also maintain their mental health. The Counseling Center offers services to students who may be struggling with stress or anxiety, while the Library and Information Center offers students access to quiet study spaces with rich and adequate study materials.

Passing exams is an important milestone in your academic journey, but so is maintaining good mental health. The two should go hand in hand. Taking care of your mental health does not mean neglecting your studies; remember, your well-being is not a distraction from success, it is the foundation on which success is built.