So I thought I'd share some of my exam favorites in case these are the things you might just need to get through fighting the exam weeks.
#1 Green Tea
I think green tea is like my all-time favourite. I live for green tea. I guess I was sort of influenced by my mum and her routine of drinking green tea every evening. Back to my love for green tea. I love green tea, in all it's form. Matcha ice cream to green tea latte to the actual green tea itself, Mmmmmm. So good! I even think it's better than coffee, because sometimes coffee makes me feel a lil bloated and nauseous, so I prefer the light and refreshing green tea as my best companion, especially when I study for exams. I would refill and refill hot water until it becomes near to just plain water, then I throw out the tea bag. My university's library does not allow us to bring in any bottles or drinks, but for the sake of green tea, I was a total bad ass and did my Mission Impossible by smuggling in my flask of green tea. Eh, I really bad ass okay, I got spot checked twice, once entering, and once leaving, but I somehow, magically, did a whole books/jacket/flask juggle and got pass. Boo yeah! What was I talking about again? Oh, green tea. Yup, certainly effective to keep me staying fresh and awake while I study.
#2 Eyedrops
During exams, my eyes get tired and strained very quickly. It feels stingy and dry, and if I ignore it, it gives me a headache. I have always live through this for the past exams by washing my eyes, or putting on my glasses, but it does not get better fast enough. Usually I need a nap, but sometimes time does not allow me to take a nap each time my eyes hurt, which is quite often. So I went and bought myself this Eye Glo Plus eyedrops, and I think it does help. Whenever my eyes feel a lil tired, I just drop a few drops into my eyes, and they don't feel as dry and tired. I recommend this to whoever who gets strained eyes while studying or staring at the computer for too long.
#3 Workable Stationary
I believe this is a no-brainer la. But some people just work with whatever stationary they have at hand to study, and I feel it does affect my study progress. I believe that good stationary is important to study effectively. Example, I found this cheap and smooth writing gel pen, it's not even branded, I just checked and it says Zhi Xin, and I don't think you can get this everywhere, but it's perfect! It makes my writing much neater, and since I make notes while I study, I find this pen super useful. I promise it makes your writing look much neater! Oh and it does not do that whole "I can't be used after I am dropped" thing like many gel pens. Whatever it is, get your favourite stationary that you need for exams, it's okay if its more pricey, but make sure it is workable for you.
#4 Messy Bun
I added this because I think throughout the whole exam period, especially if I am at home, my hair was up in a messy bun. It irritates me when my hair comes tumbling down in my face when I study. I'm already damn pek chek and stressed out, I don't need my hair distracting me. Besides, I get distracted if I don't tie it up. I will look at my hair ends, ask myself why so much split-ends, if I should color my hair, if I need a hair cut, google some hair care hacks and "byeeeeee, studies". So the best way is to get it away from my face and out out of my mind. Out of sight, out of mind. :p
#5 Daily To-Do Lists
I find it super useful to make daily to-do lists when I study, especially when finals are approaching. I like to write out my to-do list on the night before, right before I sleep, so I can have a clear mind on what I need to do the next day, and can wake up feeling determined and motivated. Another tip on this, don't overestimate/underestimate your own ability. I used to write a long list, forcing myself to complete more chapters than I can handle, and it either ends up with me rushing through the chapters without properly digesting it, or feeling super demotivated and ended up not doing anything. So know your own ability and plan achievable lists.
#6 Nail Polish
I know, I know. Weird to be on the list right? This is really subjective. But for me, I think it's worth it to paint my nails during my small breaks between study sessions. I prefer painting it in funky colours like yellow and orange this time. I find the pop of color at my fingertips cheers me up and brings more color to my dull lecture notes and textbooks. It just makes me happy each time I see those colors running around across my notes when I study. Maybe I am hardcore vain la, but if you are a girl, and you like seeing some colors on your nails, you should try it. Its these little things that keeps my mood lifted.
#7 Unwinding tools
Different people have different ways of unwinding, but it is important to unwind after a whole day of studying. I know some people might think, "crazy meh, exams watch show?!". But I think it works for me. If I finish all I was suppose to cover that day, I wind down and watch an episode of sitcom, in this case my favourite series, How I Met Your Mother to unwind and go to sleep relaxed. If you think it takes too much time, you can opt to do some light reading, play some music, or watch some youtube videos, or just whatever you like, to treat yourself for being hardworking. It makes you feel good about yourself. :)
So these were my exam favourites for this semester, thanks for reading!
To those having exams currently, good luck and all the best!
Till next time,
