Easter break or exam stress: A guide to balancing both

Easter break and exam prep should not go hand in hand, but we all know that getting a little bit of a head start will go a long way in helping us avoid the last minute, coffee induced panic before exams. Here are five easy tips to help reduce bed rotting and doom scrolling to maintain a balanced break!

1. Combatting the last minute mindset

It’s easy to defer present projects to the future if deadlines are not fast approaching. You may even find that you perform better and more efficiently closer to a deadline, or at least that’s what you tell people. Different kinds of deadline constraints: Time, resource and physical, can all enhance focus and drive, boosting final output. Don’t take this as a scientifically backed stance to justify your procrastinating however, (or maybe do).

The recipe for success: Setting personal deadlines and constraints is an effective way to simulate deadline stress and thereby- enhanced performance. Next time, set yourself a real deadline with real consequences (be your own parent and ground yourself) and watch as your brain works its magic and brings you out of the procrastination loop.

2. Getting out of bed

If you spend most of your break in bed, scrolling through your FYP- you’re not alone. But all that dopamine receptor frying can put you in a tough cycle to get out of. Your attention is limited and the more you spend it looking at social media content, the less you have to spare for yourself. Here’s a tip to being productive and not miss out on your reels time- the Pomodoro technique.

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The recipe for success: Break down study sessions into 25 minute pieces, followed by 5-10 minute breaks. Alternating between the two can drive focus and save your shortened attention span from mental overloading. It can also help balance downtime and stress.

3. Touch some grass

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Ugly puffer and 3 pm sunset season is finally over so enjoy the sun and get outside. Productivity means nothing without rest and social (or asocial) outings. Take advantage of the limited pleasantness of the weather and reset yourself with some outdoor activities. The break after all is meant to help you recover and relax after a busy term.

The recipe for success: Reconnect with your childhood and frolic over some fields. Go out for picnics, hikes or simply enjoy playing some tag (yes, tag) with your friends or younger siblings. Taking it easy and fully embracing activities otherwise dismissed as childish is a great way to hit your mind’s factory reset button and clear up any residual mental fog from term two.

4. Excercise

Between sixteen cups of coffee and increasingly futile attempts at securing spring week internships, sleep deprivation is at an all time high. If you find yourself having developed mild insomnia or a heavy dependence on caffeine from the stress (or circling) in term two, it might be your mind telling you to take a break and indulge your underutilised body. Unhealthy sleep cycles and lethargy are often signs of imbalances in mental and physical stimulation that can lead to an unfulfilling Easter break.

The recipe for success: Throw some axes (my personal vice), go for a run, hit the gym or even just dance around to your favourite songs to relieve your mental exhaustion. Physical exertion can ensure better sleep and healthier habits (though it may not fully break your caffeine addiction.)

5. Morning resets

Ever had a crappy morning that completely derails your day? Maybe it was the lack of a good breakfast or the fire-alarm that cut down your sleep. A terrible start to the morning can often lead to an unproductive or tiresome day. It’s only natural to be wasting away your mornings over the holiday, but is that really for the best? Your morning can make or break the rest of your and how you spend your first two hours awake can make all the difference in the world.

The recipe for success: Spend the first two hours of your morning away from your phone or social media. Listen to music, meditate, read a book you enjoy, catch up on your favourite podcast, journal, the options are endless and slow mornings are key. Starting your day out healthily can help combat procrastination and motivate your willingness to engage with academic material.