The exam period at the HSZG has begun. In this article, you'll find my personal favorite tips for getting through this agonizing time as stress-free as possible.
Author: Salimato Liesa Timm
The 2022 exam period at the HSZG has started and for most of us it is a nerve-wracking time. That's why this article is all about how to get through the exam period without too much stress, despite home schooling (and for some, perhaps working from home) and the winter blues.
Whether this is your first exam period or you're already a real pro - there are tips for everyone.
All beginnings are difficult ... The so-called Pomodoro technique helps you to get more motivated to study. You divide your tasks into small sections, write them on a list and make a note of what needs to be done. The most important things go at the top. Then set an alarm clock for 25 minutes and work on one part of your list. When the alarm goes off, tick off everything you have completed and start again after a five-minute break. After four runs, take a longer break of half an hour. By then you are usually really working and the difficult start has been overcome.
Psychologically speaking, this tricks your brain (and therefore yourself) a little. First you think to yourself
"I'll do part of the cake first and not for too long".
This then puts you into a workflow and you probably realize that it's not so bad after all. Important: Stick to your times - you only use your cell phone every 30 minutes or so ;-)
Create very detailed and structured study plans (with breaks!). These can help you to avoid getting lost in the masses of learning material and to keep track of invigilated (written) examinations and submissions.
Create a structured plan every day in which you set yourself daily goals. It is important that you not only write a to-do list, but also divide the individual points into a schedule.
These daily goals should be realistic enough to achieve, but also challenging enough to use the time effectively. After a few days, you'll get the hang of it. But also remember to build in a buffer in case something unforeseen happens.
This tip may sound banal, but it is important to get plenty of fresh air and supply your brain with oxygen. Especially now in winter, with the cold temperatures, most of us are not outside enough anyway. So it's all the better to take the time to go outside. Especially when working from home, you often spend the whole day at home and the distance between your bed and desk is barely noticeable.
It can help to take a walk before and after studying. To a certain extent, this plays back to our brain the way to university, and thus the routine we once had. What's more, exercise helps us relax and allows our brain to sort and process what we have learned.
If the walk isn't long enough or it gets dark early again, a daylight lamp can help. It is said to have similar effects to real daylight and can even cheer you up - which is a great motivator in these substance-robbing times.
We've all been there - before you start studying, just check Instagram again. Sometimes you suddenly notice the following: The room is far too messy to study in and you have to clear the mess immediately, even though it never bothered you in the first place. This phenomenon is called procrastination and it probably affects most of us.
However, you can do something about it. There are various apps or even presets for your smartphone that prevent you from using your phone and therefore social media for a certain amount of time. However, you could also consider banning social media from your phone completely for the exam period. Social detoxing is certainly good for all of us and afterwards you will be all the more excited to be able to use it again.
Otherwise, it is also helpful to study in places other than your own four walls. The University Libraryis perfect for this.
There is also a group room there if you want to form a study group with other students. There are also carrels - rooms designed for individual work. But in general, having other people at your side while you study is a real benefit - not only in terms of subject knowledge, but also motivationally.
For many of us, the exam phase feels like a never-ending and hopeless tunnel, but there is an end in sight and you should keep this in mind. Reward yourself with something that makes you happy. This can be anything, such as going back home to family and friends after the invigilated (written) examinations or the HSZG winter camp. You can find more details on our university sports page.
You should also look for small motivations while you are studying so that you have something to look forward to every day and don't get completely bogged down in the stress of the 2022 exam period. This can be
In the 2022 exam phase, our biggest enemy is procrastination. First and foremost, it always helps to make a plan of everything - in other words, a rough overview, followed by a schedule. However, there are also countless techniques that you can use to increase your focus and motivation and work through the mountain of exam material step by step. But the most important thing is: don't forget yourself and sacrifice yourself completely to the university. Take a break and do what you enjoy - especially with your favorite people.
This is how we will all get through this difficult but necessary and instructive time. With this in mind, I wish all students every success in the 2022 exam period.
