Exam season is infamous for being quite possibly the worst part of the year for students; You’re in the library all day, drinking a million energy drinks or cups of coffee to keep yourself going, and the amount of work you have piled up doesn’t seem to ever decrease. Mental health can take a backseat during this time but it doesn’t – and definitely shouldn’t – have to be this way. By taking advantage of the activities that life in St Andrews has to offer, there is some relaxation to be found even in the dreaded exam season.
1. Fairmont spa day
Literally the textbook way to unwind and distress – you can never go wrong with a nice spa day. For just £15, you can get access to the Fairmont Spa for the entire day which includes the swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room. Although this is an activity that might mean taking a long break from your studies, it is definitely worth it to just sit on a lounge chair and truly relax. Only a quick and easy bus ride away from town, the short distance will provide you with a symbolic disconnect from the stressors of exams. That being said, if you’re really desperate to get some light work done while you’re relaxing you can take your laptop into the spa and work by the pool. I personally felt completely rejuvenated after just a couple hours at the spa, so it’s definitely high on the list of things I would recommend to help you unwind.
2. Try a new tea flavour at Cottage Kitchen
I am a bigger believer in teas and coffees evoking relaxation in times of stress. The comfort of a hot drink can not only help you warm up, but it can also help you unwind and feel more at peace. Cottage Kitchen has a great selection of all different types of teas to help achieve this! Although I would personally recommend the black rose tea, their selection of white, green, and black teas is a perfect way to treat yourself to a relaxing hot drink. The feeling as well as being served tea in a big pot is another way the whole experience evokes comfort, giving yourself a way to find solace in the craziness of exams.
3. Organise a nice dinner with friends
As dinner is something you have to interrupt studying for anyway, I enjoy sprucing it up a bit during exam season to give myself something to look forward to during my exhausting hours at the library. Inviting a few friends around, putting some music on, and cooking in the kitchen together is a great way to get in some social interaction and good vibes that will take you away from the exam mindset, if only for an evening. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, it can even be a take away, but taking the time out to give yourself a nice hearty meal with some friends is a simple but effective way to keep yourself healthy during the exams seasons.
4. Take a walk before the sun sets
Understandably, it’s incredibly hard to find the time to be active when you feel like you have to spend most of your day sat behind a desk. During my study days, I always make sure I block off time right before the sun sets to get my daily walk in, along with vitamin D. Even though St Andrews isn’t known for being the sunniest of places, getting some semblance of light in is incredibly important for our wellbeing and can make all the difference for our wellbeing during exams. I personally like to take a daily walk up Lade Braes (the trees shelter you from the wind), which helps me calm my mind and take care of my body.
5. Take out any exam rage at the driving range
Sometimes, the best way to relax and forget the worries of exams is to take out any pent up anger towards our studies and to channel it into something else. For as little as £4.50, the driving range is the perfect way to do just that. They give you a golf club and you can select however many balls you want (price changes depending on how many you choose), but it truly is the perfect St Andrews way to take out your exam anger. There is absolutely no need to be a golf expert so don’t feel intimidated – simply focus on getting your physical activity and unwind from the frustration of uni work.