Exam season at King’s can be a stressful time, whether you’re tackling coursework deadlines, in-person exams, or online assessments. Balancing revision, assignments, and personal well-being can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies and support, you can navigate this period with confidence and resilience. Here are some practical tips to help you stay focused, motivated, and stress-free during exam season.

1. Plan Your Time Wisely

• Create a Study Schedule: Map out your coursework deadlines and exam dates early, breaking down revision into manageable daily tasks.
• Use the Pomodoro Technique: Study in focused 25–50 minute blocks with short breaks to maximize concentration and avoid burnout.
• Prioritise Tasks: Identify the topics you find most challenging and allocate more revision time to them.

2. Find Effective Study Techniques

• Active Recall & Spaced Repetition: Instead of passive reading, test yourself with flashcards, past papers, and self-quizzing to strengthen memory retention.
• Summarise & Teach: Try explaining concepts to a friend or writing short summaries to reinforce understanding.
• Use Different Learning Styles: Experiment with mind maps, podcasts, or video lectures to keep your revision engaging.

3. Take Care of Your Mental and Physical Health

• Get Enough Sleep: Aim for at least 7–9 hours of rest to improve focus and memory.
• Incorporate Exercise: A short walk, stretching, or a quick workout can help reduce anxiety and refresh your mind.
• Practice Mindfulness: Deep breathing, guided meditation, or journaling can help calm pre-exam nerves.

4. Minimise Exam Anxiety

• Prepare in Advance: Be aware of exam formats, locations, and time limits to avoid last-minute stress.
• For Online Exams: Check your Wi-Fi, required software, and submission guidelines beforehand

5. Seek Support When You Need It

King’s offers a range of wellbeing and academic support services to help students through exam season. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance. You can learn more about our wellbeing services and events at our Wellbeing Hub. For external support, take a look at our Guide to Additional Resources.

Join us in May for Take Time Out! This event aims to encourage students to take a break from revision and exams by providing a range of fun and relaxing activities. 

We’ll be hosting the Take Time Out marquee at Guy’s Campus from 6 - 9 May and at Strand Campus (Maughan Library) from 12 -16 May. There will be a smoothie bike, ping pong, crafts, board games, and more! We will also have some pop-up events at Denmark Hill and Waterloo on 28 April and 19 May. Full details of all the events will be shared on the KCLSU website nearer the time.

Alternatively, if you require support, here are some King’s Support Services available to all students:

• Counselling & Mental Health Support: Free and confidential support, available both in-person and online. You can speak to a Mental Health Advisor for practical advice and guidance.
• Togetherall: A 24/7 digital mental health platform, providing peer support, self-help tools, and professional guidance.
• Faculty Wellbeing Advisors: Available in-person or online to help you find practical ways to support your well-being.
• KCLSU Advice: Offers impartial academic advice if you’re facing issues that are affecting your studies.
• Personal Tutors: Your Personal Tutor can provide academic support, discuss progress, and direct you to specialist resources.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help, and most importantly, be kind to yourself during this period.