Category: Resits

How to rest after exam season 

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Getting to the other side of exam and assessment season should feel liberating, right?  You might expect to feel a wave of relief now that it’s all over, but more often than not, you’re left feeling exhausted and a bit flat.   

After an intense period of pulling all-nighters, caffeine-fuelled cramming, and some questionable ‘meals’, it’s understandable if your mind and body feel out of sync. 

We’re here to remind you that you’re not alone. It’s completely normal to feel this way and wonder “now what?” 

As things start to slow down, it can be hard to know what to do next. So, we’re sharing some simple ways to help you rest, reset and feel like yourself again.

You need to rest, but first…

Celebrate the win! Completing an exam is a big achievement, so take a moment to recognise the effort and commitment you’ve put in (go you!) 🥳 

When exams finish, the stress hormones that keep you alert and focused can stick around for a while. This can leave you feeling worn-out and emotionally depleted. It may seem obvious, but rest is crucial to recovery.  

So, give yourself permission to rest.  

When we think of rest, our first thought is to sleep or take a nap. While these can work for some people, it can also come in the form of:

  • Gentle movement – this could be walking or a yoga class with your free MOVE membership 
  • Practicing mindfulness and breathing exercises (in for 5, out for 5, repeat) 
  • Getting lost in a good book, game or watching a TV show (even if it means re-starting your favourite one) 
  • Spending time outdoors and away from a screen.
Woman walking in nature park forest and breathing fresh air

Reconnect with the basics 

During exam season, it’s easy for everything else to fall away. We get it – we’ve all been there. Now’s the time to reconnect with the things that you’ve put on hold and the people that make you feel good. 

It doesn’t need to be anything big. The key is to focus on something that takes your mind away from anything study related. Something as simple as grabbing a coffee or going for a short walk with a friend works. Just step away from the exam talk. 

If you need inspiration for something to do, there’s lots of free events in Bristol to check out.  

And if basic things like movement and nutrition have taken a back seat, try bringing them back into your daily routine too.  

After a busy or stressful period, it’s easy for healthy habits to slip. But small, consistent actions can make a real difference to how you feel. Eating a balanced diet helps restore energy levels, while moving your body can reduce tension. Start small – a nourishing meal, some fresh air or a gentle stretch. Keep things simple to support your body as it recovers.  

Reflect and reset 

An important part of the process is to step back and reflect. What do you think went well? What might you do different next time? This can help you to stay motivated and come up with a clear plan to achieve the next goal. 

Sometimes the exam doesn’t go as planned. That’s okay. It’s natural to feel disappointed, but it’s important not to get caught up in negative self-talk. 

If you don’t get the results you were hoping for and you’re worried about resits, we have guidance for what it all means.  

University isn’t easy but you are here because you are capable. This is a chance to adjust your approach and try again. That could be switching up your revision plan, asking for help from a Student Experience Coach, or brushing up on your study skills. 

Read our full blog post for the resources, services and advice on hand to get you through resits. 

If this year felt especially hard 

We have a range of resources and a team of people here to support you if you’re struggling. Whatever you’re going through, help is available.  

Get instant support with the Wisdom app or find support that feels right for you. 

Download the Wisdom app logo

Need to resit? You got this!

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Have you had some results back that you weren’t expecting? While assessments can be stressful, resits and retakes bring a new element of anxiety to sitting exams, especially if you need to pass. It can be a knock to your confidence and feelings of worry and self-doubt may creep in. What is important to remember is that you are not alone. We’ve pulled together a collection of resources, services and handy tips to help you prepare to resit any assessment calmly and with the confidence to pass.

Firstly, get in the zone

To help set yourself up for success, you may need to put some healthy habits in place to help keep your mind and body in a good place.

  • Recognise this will be a stressful period. Although unpleasant, it is completely normal to feel nervous during this time. You won’t feel like this forever.
  • Setting up a routine will work wonders for your mental and physical health. Plan out your days and make sure you’re giving yourself enough time to have breaks, eat proper meals and get a good night’s sleep.
  • If you feel you are able, try and move your body or exercise, whatever that looks like for you. Research shows that moving your body alongside study is great for improving memory retention, relieving stress, boosting energy and strengthening focus.

Start to prepare

  • Set up a revision plan. It’s a bit boring and feels like it’s taking up precious time, but seeing what to focus on and when will help you plan your workload a bit better and avoid any last-minute cramming. The Student Success Coaches are great at helping with this. We’ll talk about them more in the study support section!
  • You might be tempted to immerse yourself in work at the moment, but rest and breaks are key to absorbing information. Try and plan in chunks of work punctuated with breaks away from what you are doing. Go for a walk around campus, get some sun on your face or grab lunch with a friend. Fresh air and new environments are your brain’s friends right now.
  • Go over your feedback. If you can pinpoint what didn’t go to plan in your first assessment, you can make sure you don’t make the same mistakes again. Set up a meeting with your personal tutor or programme/module leader to help understand how to improve. Alternatively, check out this web page to help you learn from your feedback.
  • Try a new approach to study. If you revised with one technique last time, why not try a new one? Try not to just passively read over stuff – make flash cards, colour code information, record yourself, draw diagrams or get a friend to test you. Check out this reel for more inspiration on study techniques.

We got you!

It’s our job to help you, so make the most of what’s on offer to make this resit period a little bit easier.

  • Our wonderful team of Student Success Coaches are specifically trained to help you through assessments and resits. Amongst other things, they can help you create a revision plan, learn from feedback, boost confidence, help with time management and be a non-judgmental listening ear to any issues you may have. You can meet with a coach face-to-face or set up a call, whatever suits you.
  • If you need to brush up on referencing or academic writing skills, our study skills page will be able to help. We also have college-specific study support, tailored for your subject.
  • If you are disabled or neurodiverse, this page details all the support you are entitled to including assistive technology and applying for reasonable adjustments.
  • The library run a huge variety of study workshops to help with assessments and resits, as well as support with assessing databases, learning materials and e-books. If you have a question, you can always Ask a Librarian on our 24/7 live chat service.
  • Remember to make use of your academic personal tutors, module leaders or programme leaders if you want to talk through anything or if you have a question.

Need someone to speak to?

If you are struggling, you are not alone. We have a huge range of resources to give you the help you need. This includes our Drugs and Alcohol service, The University’s Chaplaincy Team, the University Information Point and much more. We also have a 24/7 live chat through our Wisdom App which can connect you with trained counsellors.

And finally, remember, this is an opportunity give your assessment another shot. Learn from your mistakes but try not to dwell on them. Unlike the first time, you’ve been here before, so you know what to expect this time round. Keep your goal in mind and visualise yourself getting the result you want. Believe in yourself, look after your body and mind, and reach out for support if you need it. You’ve got this!