Stress

A little bit of stress can be good for you - it keeps your body alert and makes you work harder. However if uni life gets too much for you, the stress can show in your body and can make you:

• Feel tired
• Ache all over
• Cry and feel upset
• Have panic attacks
• Have broken sleep
• Suffer from stomach upsets
• Have itchy skin rashes
• More likely to get colds and 'flu
• Have headaches and eye strain

Tips to cope with exam stress

Stop and think - Take ten minutes out to think about what's bothering you. Try and get the exams into perspective and make sure plan and prepare for your exams in advance in order to avoid cramming and panicking at the last minute.

Reward yourself - After a burst of work try and reward yourself in some way, even it's just chatting to friends or watching TV.

Talk to someone - The adage 'a problem shared is a problem halved' is very often true. It's common to find that talking about a problem makes you fee better and allows you to think more objectively about what's bothering you. Further, if you don't feel comfortable discussing with a friend about the way you're feeling, the Guild and the University have a number of support services available to you (see list below).

Learn to relax - Find a method of relaxation that suits you and try to use it regularly. Treat yourself to a hot bath, a massage, aromatherapy, yoga or watch TV. This will free your mind from work temporarily and will help you to concentrate more effectively when you need to.

Keep physically fit - Exercise is not only good for your body but also for your mind as it releases endorphins which can lift your mood and help focus your brain.

Maintain a healthy diet - Making the effort to eat regular meals which contain fresh vegetables, fibre and protein can make an enormous difference in reducing stress and enable you to work more productively.

Managing your time - Making a revision timetable is usually a good idea as it allows you to be realistic about what you can achieve and ensure you have the right balance between work, socialising, exercise, relaxation and sleep, which is obviously even more important during exam time.

Illness during exam time - Falling ill during the exam period is bad luck, but it does unfortunately happen to a number of students each year. The best thing you can do is to go straight to see your G.P who may be able to prescribe you something to relieve your symptoms so you can get through the exam period and also write a note to certify your illness if you are forced to miss an exam.

Remember
• The exam period is a difficult time but it will be over soon. That hard bit of revision is worthwhile in the end.
• There are people you can turn to.
• Exams are not the be all and end all of everything so try and keep them in perspective.

Useful Contacts

Matt Wilson, Vice President Education and Welfare
Liverpool Hope Students' Union - Derwent House
For a friendly face & signposting to appropriate services
0151 291 3907
vpres@hope.ac.uk 

University Counselling Service

Confidential, individual counselling for problems affecting students' work and wellbeing. Offers individual counselling, group counselling, drop-in service, consultation and self-help leaflets.
0151 7944120 / 7945820
www.liv.ac.uk/studentservices/health.htm

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

Free helpline offering counselling, advice, information and support.
Call 0800 58 58 58 - 5.00pm - 3.00am.
Check out http://www.thecalmzone.net for tons of brilliant advice and information.

Student Services Centre
This is located next door to the Guild and deals with any issues concerning accommodation, international students, disability, and finance.
Tel: 0151 7944172 or visit www.liv.ac.uk/studentservices.

Depression Alliance
Tel - 0845 123 23 20.
www.depressionalliance.org
National Self Harm Network
www.nshn.co.uk

Remember!

The most important thing to bear in mind is that if you concerned about anything, - talk to someone about it. Don't suffer alone - talk to your mates, family, or anyone you feel comfortable with, and if you don't feel you can talk to anyone you know, the Samaritans can be reached 24 hours a day on 08457 90 90 90, and your call will be confidential.