Our top tips for exam season: A blog by Laura and Casie

Hi, we’re Laura (studying MSc Management) and Casie (studying MA Politics). With exam and essay season approaching, we wanted to share 5 tips that will hopefully make the next few weeks feel a bit more manageable.

1. Prioritise your wellbeing and reach out for support  

Maintaining balance is essential during busy periods. Make time for regular breaks and activities that help you rest, whether that’s attending society events, catching up with friends, going for a walk or playing sports.

If things start to feel overwhelming, don’t hesitate to talk to someone. Remember that your personal tutor, Wellbeing and Student SupportLink opens in a new window, and the SU Advice Centre Link opens in a new windoware all there to help.

If your circumstances mean you might not be able to complete your exams or assignments on time, or any personal factors are affecting your performance, you should also talk with your personal tutor as soon as possible. You might need to have your mitigating circumstances Link opens in a new windowtaken into account.

2. Experiment with different study methods

No single approach to studying works for everyone, so it’s worth trying techniques like the Pomodoro method or active recall that can help improve focus and information retention. There are some good studying tips in Wellbeing's self-help resourcesLink opens in a new window.

Consider joining study groups with friends or exploring opportunities offered by the LibraryLink opens in a new window.

3. Switch up your study environment 

While the library offers 24/7 access, changing where you study can make a big difference and help avoid burnout. Try different settings, such as coffee shops or outdoor spaces (when the weather allows!).

Also, think about what kind of space helps you concentrate best. Some people prefer group settings, whilst others prefer silence. It’s all about finding what works for you. See the University's study spaces page here.

4. Take advantage of University tools 

Warwick offers a wide range of resources to help you stay productive and organised:

• The Library’s productivity tools page Link opens in a new windowhas useful software, AI tools, and techniques to help with planning and time management.
• You can email Academic Support Librarians Link opens in a new windowfor help with literature searches, referencing, and subject-specific resources.
• There are also self-paced online courses Link opens in a new windowon research methods, citation and academic integrity — and they count towards the Warwick Award!

5. Stay informed about academic procedures 

Sometimes unexpected things happen that can affect your academic work and plans. That’s why it’s worth taking a little time now to familiarise yourself with the steps you can take, just in case.

Make sure you know where to find your course handbook and understand any key university procedures, especially around things like assessment adjustments and extensions.

If something does come up, speak to your personal tutor as soon as possible and they can help you figure out your options and guide you as needed.

The SU Advice Centre provides detailed guidanceLink opens in a new window on academic procedures, including assessment adjustments and appeals. Knowing the process in advance can help you feel prepared!

Good luck with all your exams and assignments - you’ve got this! Try to take things one step at a time and be kind to yourself. The best you can do is try. And remember - whatever the outcome, there’s always support available if you need it.

- Laura and Casie