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Exam Season: Survival and Stress Management

Published April 17, 2026 by Anza Ashraf

You’re not alone in the exam season grind. Here are a few student-tested tips to help you stay on track.
Want the video version? Jump to Sam’s take.

Stick to Habits – Not New Strategies

Stressful exam season might not be the best time to try out a new study strategy or plan because you don’t have enough room to mess-up or play around with it. If there’s a certain plan of action that works well for you, it can be better to stick to it and enhance it further. This way you’re working with a predictable routine which would guarantee results – taking your mind off the additional stress of whether something’s going to work or not. You’ve gotten this far with your current study plans; you can trust yourself!

Take Small Breaks

Don’t try to tough it out with a 4-hour study session that leaves you burnt out. It always helps to take mini breaks: 15-20 minutes during those sessions to give your brain breathing space. This way the studying you do stays sharp and fresh in your mind rather than becoming mush with all the other information after an exhaustive session.

Don’t Negotiate Sleep

I know pulling an all-nighter sounds like the perfect idea to power through exam prep. However, it doesn’t always work for multiple exams or project submissions. Your body will be exhausted and not assimilate information effectively. When you schedule a study session, make sure you also schedule your sleep appropriately!

Want some tips on how to rest well in a busy environment? We’ve got you.

Study With Support

Occasionally, it might be effective to study with a friend. You might share problems or struggles and find solutions while also take chill breaks in between. It always helps to read out study material or talk about your ideas to someone – you vocalize your thoughts and receive important feedback.

Final Thoughts

Give yourself the credit you deserve. Academic settings, especially post-secondary education, is not easy, and you are doing an amazing job at pushing through and managing yourself.

One last idea from me: buy yourself a sweet treat or a reward after a lock-in session!

From one student to another, here’s Sam’s take on these exam survival tips:

Anza Ashraf

Anza Ashraf is an international student from Lahore, Pakistan. She is currently a 3rd year Graphic Design student at OCAD University. Anza loves long walks around the city or in nature and enjoys illustrating her experiences.

Video for this post was created by Sam Hayeems.
Sam is a third-year student at Toronto Metropolitan University. He’s nerdy – in the best possible way – and just recently got into writing.