Exam season might be the worst time of the year. The feeling of never-ending revision, hours spent staring at a laptop screen, and the beckoning of that Europe trip you’ve been saving for for months – it can all get to be too much sometimes!

Which is why it’s super important to look after yourself during this chaotic time. Here are my eight self-care tips to keep you feeling cool, calm and collected during exam season.

#1 Face Masks

It’s a commonly accepted belief that no matter how much of a mess your life or head may be, slapping on a face mask can instantly make you feel better (or at least, more relaxed).

Not only is it heaven for the lazier of us wannabe beauty queens, but it has been proven to provide a deeper cleanse than a daily cleanser, it removes dead skin cells from your pores painlessly, and it effectively hydrates your skin in only 15-20 minutes. Win-win-win!

#2 Baths!

One of the beauties of a winter exam season is a steaming hot bath to climb into at the end of an academic-filled day. Grab a book, or load up a Netflix series, and prepare to drift off into the most chilled-out hour of your day.

Bonus points if a Lush bath bomb is used — try their Intergalactic one for some seriously impressive (and Insta-worthy) bath-time entertainment!

#3 Red Wine

Is there anything better than a glass of red at the end of a long day? If your answer is yes, stick around to hear the health benefits of this relaxing ritual!

A study from Washington University in Missouri (yep that’s right, science!) found that drinking at least one glass of red wine per week not only boosts fertility for women, but a component of red wine named resveratrol suppresses molecules which cause inflammation — and could contribute to a longer life span. Cheers!

#4 Nutritional Foods

It really sucks to be sick, but being sick during exam season is a whole new level of hell.

Try to stick to a healthy diet during study pre-exams to ensure your body is prepared for the stress and pressure it might endure when that first exam hits. Getting essential nutrients from healthy foods will help your brain function more effectively, and will help you feel full — say goodbye to those mid-exam snack cravings!

#5 Sleep, Sleep, Sleep

Ah, sleep. The thing a lot of people can’t get enough of, yet simultaneously, don’t have enough of. When exam prep and revision beckons, sleep is often the first thing to go in a student’s daily priorities.

Research conducted by the Sleep Council in the UK found that in the month leading up to exams, the number of university students who had only five hours of sleep a night increased from 10 per cent to 20 per cent. Yikes!

Avoid these restless nights by beginning to prepare your exam routine earlier, prioritising study-based tasks realistically, and practicing relaxation and meditation techniques when trying to nod off every night. Get those Zzzs to earn those HDs!

#6 Go Outside

With hours spent at a desk during study-sessions, getting outside and changing your scenery will do your productivity levels wonders! Eye strain, bad posture and headaches are common causes of too much time spent at the screen, and by stepping outside into nature you’ll be granted some much-earned Vitamin D and a well-deserved break from your laptop.

#7 Move Your Body

In a similar vein, throw on some sneakers and get sweaty in your study breaks to get your blood pumping and brain focusing! Physical activity has the potential to not only enhance your wellbeing, but help reduce stress and anxiety while releasing endorphins that will have a positive impact on your mood.

And with so many different physical activities and ideas, why not get creative? Go on a bike ride, take your dog for a few laps of the park, or even download your favourite Netflix episodes to watch on the treadmill at the gym. The opportunities are endless!

#8 Be Goal (And Time) Oriented

Keeping yourself accountable is a form of self care! One of the most effective ways to ensure all of your study time is valuable is by setting yourself goals. For example, writing 2000 words for an essay may seem impossible in a week-long time frame, but writing 330 words a day will not only get your essay done, it will leave you an extra day to edit and review your work.

Plan, and get organised to avoid a sticky situation in the future.

(Lead image: The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/Netflix)