Pressure Release

If you’re like me, procrastination and late hours are too familiar during exam season. Tunnel vision sets in and before I know it, I’m watching the sunrise. I’m strange though. I’ve found that my most creative writing or ideas stem from late night cramming. (Most likely from sleep-deprivation-induced delirium.)

Whether you consider yourself a creative person or not, try something different this semester: If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the information that you’ve been staring at for what seems like forever, then stop.

Take a break. Walk around the library (or wherever you are) for a little bit, and come back to your workspace. Pull out a sheet of blank paper and your favorite pen and have at it! (No computer screens)

Here's what to do:
Free-write for as long as you can, shoot for 3-5 solid minutes. It doesn’t matter what you write about. Just write! Maybe it's about how badly you can't wait for the semester to be over, or maybe you're thinking about the material you don't quite understand, or (realistically) you're thinking about how much time you've wasted looking at Facebook! But just write. Whatever comes to mind. It’s a good way to purge all the stress and pressure that you’ve accumulated during your cram session. If you’re really feeling creative, start a doodle and see what you come up with. Who knows? It could be the beginning to your next project! It’s a good way to release energy or any bottled up emotions that you might be feeling.

Now that you’ve cleared your head, you can continue on with a little less on your shoulders and more room in your brain to retain the key information.

It’s important to remember in stressful times that all your time and effort will be well worth it in the end. As long as you follow up and do your best. Just imagine that feeling of relief & satisfaction when everything is said and done.

“For anyone struggling out there just remember that diamonds are made under pressure.”

Good luck on exams!