Another few weeks filled with sleepless nights, stress, panic attacks, depression, angry parents, an unclean room and no social life. Does this sound like you during exam periods? but that doesn’t have to be the case, you can overcome exams this time round and make it the best month ever (well maybe not the best).

 

Want to know how? Because this time round you place your full trust in Allah, take the means by studying as much as you can and leave the outcome and results to Allah. You do not relay on someone’s study notes to pass (off course they will help a lot).

 

You can do this Inshallah! I know you can!

Allah (Subhannah Wa Tallah) says : “Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity”   (Surah Albakarah, Ayah 286)

 

So, when you think that it’s all too much and this time isn’t looking very promising or you start doubting yourself. Just let go of the thoughts, convince yourself of strong believe and trust that Allah will take care of you just like he always has. Remember that time when you were stuck and had no option and then everything just came together so beautiful. Inshallah this time will be the same. It too shall pass.

 

Intentions 

All actions are judged by intention, but how often do we stop to think about our real intentions when completing a task big or small. Ask yourself ‘why am I doing this exam’ and always link it to your destination (Akhirah). Your reason for doing the exam may be pleasing your parents which will please Allah, or you may want to be the best Muslim and use your knowledge to benefit humanity and the Ummah. Whatever the reason is, make sure you are intending Dunya and Akhirah together as the ultimate reward.

 

Duaa

The prophet saw said ‘The supplication is the essence of worship” (Jami at-Tirmadihi). This is a very powerful statement, use duaa and supplicate to Allah especially in prostration as that is when we are closest to Allah. Remember the time when Younes (as) made duaa and was saved from the whales’ stomach, and when Moussa (as) was in Madyan sitting under the tree and made duaa which then received a job, a place to stay and a wife! and many other stories (I am sure you have your own duaa stories too). What does this teach us? It tells us that Allah will answer us and he can help you through this tough situation, though the condition is for us to ask him and make duaa.

 

Plan Plan Plan

A very effective way to get through all the content is to plan. I beg you to write down your plans somewhere whether on paper or wherever and no a plan in your head just doesn’t end up working (well at least for the 99% of students I know).  A good method I use is write down all the topics I should study for each subject and split the topics to the remaining days left till exam, then mark of what I have studied (it feels soo good ticking it off).

 

Exercise 

I cannot stress how important exercise is during exams. If you never exercise in your life make sure you do so in the exam period. I know we all hate to get moving or to exercise, make soo many excuses and feel it’s a waste of time. However, a light 10-minute walk or workout is better than those caffeine shots. After a walk and a short sweat, you will feel soo good (30-day money back guaranteed if that doesn’t happen). Your anxiety and stress levels will drop and some feel good chemicals will be released in your brain (kind of cool right). If you can’t go for a walk you can do some stretches in your room or use a short YouTube clip or apps.

 

Istighfar

You may be surprised that I am speaking about Istighfar, I mean how does it relate to exam stress? We all know that there’s no doubt we have committed sins in the past, future, present and will continue to do so due to our human nature. Istighfar will help give you that easy Imaan boost and cleanses you from the inside. It will remove sins, open doors and boost your memory. and best of all its easy and can be done anytime (except when your asleep hehe).

 

Grateful 

Now you may think gratitude doesn’t have a place in this post, but trust me I thought the same until recently. Funny enough I feel as though my motivation to study has boosted up to the sky when considering this point. Often when we are blessed with something, we forget about others and focus on ourselves and maybe even criticize our situation or make excuses for ourselves. Be grateful that Allah has given you the opportunity to study, increase in beneficial knowledge and do an exam to know how far you have reached. I mean we are in 2017 but I will assure you that there are many people out there who were never given this opportunity. I am sure you have heard of many stories where others weren’t able to get educated due to lack of money or a need to work over study. What if that was you, what if you were the one on the other side who had to choose work over study to support the family. I mean something to think about and reflect on.

 

Study tips

 

Below are some study tips which I hope will help with your studying and exam stress.

—> Breaks

We all need breaks to keep going and not burn out. How often and how long? that depends on yourself and what works best for you. I usually like to have short study periods with short breaks but you may prefer long study periods with longer breaks.

Ideas for breaks

Colouring in – Calligraphy- Reading your favourite book- playing games – grabbing coffee or tea or fruit etc.

 

—> Timer

I recently discovered this technique. I love the timer

 

—> Airplane mode or turn off your phones Wi-Fi

 

—> Stay Focused – An app to ban Facebook for an hour

 

—>Beware of your laptop/computer/phone

 

—>Beware of Procrastination – don’t know what that means well its means to do everything but study, or the action of delaying or postponing something.

 

 

For better study sessions make sure you 

Say the duaa before study (http://www.duas.org/student.htm) and most importantly PRAY on time (that includes FAJR) and with as much concentration as you can.

 

Soumaya is a passionate blogger who loves to share her thoughts on holistic approach to Islam.