I remember my final exams in my senior year of high school. Two weeks before, I was sick, and my first exam was three days after my medical leave ended. It was awful.

I spent hours studying without a break, skipped meals, and lost several nights of sleep. All with the intention of doing my best, getting the best grades possible, and finishing high school on a high note.

Unfortunately, my plan backfired: I lost 11 pounds, and my immunity dropped so much that my face peeled, and I had frequent dizziness. When it was all over, I looked like a rickety lizard shedding its skin. One thing I learned from this experience is that doing my best didn't just mean getting good grades, but ensuring my physical and psychological well-being.

In this article, I have put together some of the best tips for ensuring good grades and sanity at the end of the semester!

1. Plan Your Studies

We are tired of knowing that studying at the last minute is not a good idea: it reduces performance; it is more difficult to learn the content, and we become so overwhelmed that the words start to get mixed up in our heads.

The best solution for this is good planning, nothing fancy, just something practical that works for you. Write down all your content on one sheet and the exam dates on another, calculate how much time you will devote to each subject, and create a study routine that fits your schedule. My tip is to do this at least two weeks before the exams.

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2. Music can be a Real Lifesaver

If I have a notebook in my hand, Bach is playing in the background. Several studies have proven that music helps with concentration and the production of hormones that reduce stress. Classical music can be great both as background music for studying and for cooling down the mind during breaks.

“Listening to music that does not have lyrics attached to it lets the listener project their personal feelings and their personal struggle into the music.”

Bethany Cook, psychologist and music therapist

And besides, what could be better than good music to give us that feeling of being the star of the study scene? Just play Joanna Pacitti's “Watch Me Shine” and we become Elle Woods studying at Harvard.

3. Take Breaks

Yes, this is a key point that almost everyone mentions when talking about efficient studying and mental health. But it is really important! Breaks not only help us retain content better, but they also serve to clear our minds and prevent us from becoming overwhelmed and mentally exhausted.

My favorite break activity is to go for a quick walk. A glass of cold water and a few laps around the park are great for keeping me from thinking that Napoleon invented Bhaskara's formula.

4. Keep Doing the Things You Enjoy

Exam week arrives, and it feels like life stops. Suddenly, it's all about grades and what will or won't be on the test. But we need balance; we can't forget that we're still people.

The ideal is to find the right time to fit in our favorite hobbies: watch an episode of that series during dinner, read while brushing your teeth, and play video games half an hour before bed. Don't forget to continue being yourself; doing well on the exam doesn't mean giving up on fun.

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5. Find Your Outlet

Even with our best efforts, exams are still stressful. That's why we need an escape, a little something to help us release all our stress and tension during this difficult time. This activity is different for each person: it could be going to the gym, writing in a journal, going for a walk, or even screaming into a pillow.

For me, it's dancing. I turn my headphones up to full volume, turn off the lights in my room, and dance as weirdly as possible to release all the pressure to be perfect. When the song ends, I'm panting and laughing. It's as if I've just come back from a walk on the beach.

Conclusion

In an age where everything seems to be moving at high speed, we need to slow down so we don't lose our minds. Good grades are important, but our mental health is a much greater treasure.