The school year is still on and it’s been quite intense. One can easily get overwhelmed by the copious amounts of assignments, presentations, tests and examination. Actually, I’m still having my exams and it’s been quite hectic. But I want to share a few tips that I hope will help!

Remind yourself why you’re undertaking this school year– some of us are still at the undergraduate level while others are at a postgraduate level or taking a professional course. I believe there’s a purpose for everything. Why did you decide to go to school? Why didn’t you just join the examples of Zuckerberg and Gates who dropped out of school and became great? There’s a reason. You’ve probably got some big goal or you’ve probably got this fancy picture of yourself as a practising professional. Whatever it is, make that picture clear and set it right in front of you. You’ll always need it.

Remember the race is not a sprint but marathon– some of us get carried away with semesters or terms and just assume it is a hundred metre dash. So we wait until exam period to put in all our efforts. Or we wait till deadlines are compressing us before we put in the work. The school race is not a sprint but a marathon. You need to apportion your time and energy appropriately for the entire period. This takes away the pressure from exam periods. I’ve been guilty of waiting for exams to start studying hard or waiting for 2 days before deadlines to work on my assignments. But such pressure only seeks to break us. Try to avoid it.

Seek to know, not just to write – anyone can cram anything and write in an exam hall. But what do you know? I’ve found out within my short stay that everything I’ve been taught always finds its way into my conversations- especially with my friends. It’s becoming a part of me. And this is good because I used to be the girl who put more emphasis on passing exams than actually knowing and applying.

Be ready – always be ready to be called upon to give a presentation, defend an assignment or present a well-supported argument. Always be ready to answer a question, to help someone, to engage in meaningful conversations, to make rational decisions- whatever it may be, always be ready. This means you need to read more and read widely. My Creative Writing lecturer described it as reading ‘omnivorously’. This will help you to be ready. Also, remember to ‘study to show yourself approved…’ (2Tim 2:15)

Try to have fun – I know how hard this would be; especially when you’ve got exams underway. But you need to apportion some time to do a little of what makes you happy. Your body doesn’t have to go into shock spasms because you’re pursuing a critical educational goal. Learn how to both work hard and play hard.

Finally, at the end of it all, always try to get some rest. If you’re anxiety-prone like me, this may be really hard for you. Sometimes, you may find your body resting while your mind is working overtime. But you need to rest. Remember Jesus’ invitation to rest.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. -Matt 11:28-30

Wish you the best of your school year!

Love,

M.