How to Deal With Exam Stress (or any stress)

Hey Everyone, 

Robyn Banks here, I am a student.

The major downfall of being a student is that your are constantly being tested on your knowledge, and your performance on these tests will determine who you become in life basically. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of people who can beat the odds and even if their grades aren't perfect, they still become super successful and rich and they have a beach house or whatever. I, however, most likely won't be one of those people.

I am like the majority of the students in the world. I go to class, take notes, study, and complete evaluations in the form of tests or projects. For most students, there is a special time that comes once or twice (if you're in one of the schools like mine) a year where all your classes have a massive test in the same week. 

No, it's not spring break. It's exam period. You put your blood, sweat and tears into this week hoping to make it into whatever next level of education you're pursuing (if you're me, it is ultimately medical school- yikes). This week is basically the most stressful week of the year. As this doomsday approaches I thought this post would be entirely necessary.

So if you're stressing about exams, or anything at all, here are some de-stressifying tips.

1. Hang out with a friend who is not stressed. 

Choose someone carefree, maybe a cousin, someone you don't have to dress up for but will still take you out. Go do something you don't get to do enough. (If you're me it must also be something cheap ex. bird feeding in a city square). While you're there, don't talk about your stresser (eg. exams). *In order to make this date more interesting whoever mentions this stressful thing must go talk to someone they don't know (will also get your mind of the stresser plus is fun and inspires confidence... perhaps pretend that you met this person a long time ago and ask said stranger if they remember you. You will LOL.)*

2. Go for a run- even if you're not a runner... especially if you're not a runner.

It works great for me, I am not particularly a runner but while you are on said run you will be so focused on not dying, that you will have no time to think about the stresser (eg. exam). There also has to be something about the stress leaving in the form of sweat. If you're having trouble sleeping this is especially great because it will definitely make it easy to get some shut-eye. (It is also cheap.)

3. Watch trashy television.

Become so involved with their lives you forget yours even exists. (Pro tip: may not be the best option if you're a binge-watcher during exams because you will not study.) 
-Geordie Shore (personal fave, million times better than Jersey Shore)
-The Royals (new and promising)
-One Tree Hill (classic, especially season 4)
-Keeping Up With the Kardashians (you already knew this one)
-19 Kids and Counting (under-rated)
-America's Next Top Model- wanna be on top?

These are three of my go-to techniques. Please fill me in on any of yours.

:)
-Robyn Banks