Navigating exam anxiety and stress: Get support on- and off-campus

During the school year, one period that stirs a mix of emotions is exam season. For both experienced and new students alike, exams and assignments can cause feelings of anxiety and stress. These emotions are normal and there are resources available to assist you in handling them. 

In the midst of exams, I frequently find myself grappling with moments of self-doubt, questioning the depth of my knowledge and the extent of my abilities. This tends to intensify, especially when confronted with challenging exam questions. As a nursing student, there are instances where the fear of exam failure creeps in, with concerns about its potential impact on my future capacity to deliver safe and effective patient care.

Try these healthy coping strategies to safeguard your mental and physical well-being. 

• Meditation - Through its calming effects, meditation  can enhance concentration and emotional resilience
• Eating a balanced diet - Foods rich in nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, support your brain’s functioning and stabilizes blood sugar levels. This helps to prevent energy crashes and mood swings that worsen your stress.
• Exercise -. Exercise helps to release hormones that help you cope with stress (endorphins) and reduces stress hormones (cortisol). It also helps to improve sleep quality.

Students are empowered to unlock and nurture their individual potential, while managing the challenges that come with university life. 

York’s Student Counselling Health and Wellbeing (SCHW) team includes healthcare professionals, peer health educators, and supportive staff who work together as a team to offer a range of health and well-being services, such as:

• Single session walk-in counselling - Getting immediate access to qualified counselling professionals to discuss a specific issue(s). 
• Short-term counselling) - Working with a counsellor to set “next step” goals over six to eight sessions.
• Support groups – Sharing your experiences alongside fellow York students who may have also experienced a similar situation. Facilitated by trained counsellors, you’ll have a chance to share your experiences in a safe space. 
• Training programs, workshops and peer-to-peer consulting - Learning about mental health and well-being, physical health, nutrition, sleep, sexual health, alcohol, cannabis and other drugs from other students and health professionals.

• Virtual mental health support - keep.meSAFE is a support program designed to provide unlimited and confidential assistance to students, regardless of their location virtually on and off campus.
• Mental health supports available in Ontario – The Government of Ontario provides a wide range of services.
• Additional mental health resources available across Canada – The Government of Canada provides additional Canada-wide resources.

I hope some tips in this blog help you overcome the stress of exam season. Take care of yourselves!