Balancing Social Life and Studies During Exam Season

It's that time of the year again. The library fills up quickly, and everyone seems to have upped their caffeine intake. Yes, LSE’s exam season is back. When you go to an academically rigorous school such as ours, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the lecture slides that need to be reviewed and all the notes that need to be revised. Amidst this, social life tends to take a back seat, which might lead to frustration when stress levels are at an all-time high. While it may seem like studying 24/7 is key to achieving that perfect grade, it is important to maintain a balance and hence take that much-needed break. 📚☕

Redefine “Social” during Exam Season 🧋

Being social doesn't have to mean going on day trips or partying all night with your friend group. Going out with your friends for your daily morning coffee or matcha run to Pret, having a mini picnic in the sun at a park closest to you or chatting with flatmates while cooking and eating dinner together are all excellent ways of staying social during exam season! 👯‍♀️

Give Adequate Time to Both Studying and Socialising ⏳

A crucial part of balancing both studying and socialising is being intentional with your time. Scheduling in time for both is key. Even blocking out a few breaks in your calendar — to call your mom, for example — will make it much easier to tackle the day’s tasks. It also helps you avoid the guilt that comes with mindless scrolling, which often takes longer than the five minutes you promised yourself! 📅

Study with Friends 📖

Studying with friends helps you feel motivated and prevents isolation. Head to your hall’s study room or book a pod on the 6th floor of the LSE Library. Discussing shared modules allows you to exchange notes, revise concepts, and clear doubts while also staying connected. 🤝

Check out the Halls Events page or your hall’s WhatsApp Group 🏠

Your hall committee may have just planned a few low-key activities to keep the hall’s spirit alive. Don't forget to keep an eye out for those! These are perfect opportunities to unwind without losing out on precious study time. You might just be able to socialise AND relax with people who are in the same boat as you! 🛋️

Create your own Social Get-together 🍦

Being social doesn't need to entail elaborate planning. Just invite a few friends over for a study session, followed by a casual movie night or a stroll to your fave dessert place (Humble Crumble, I'm looking at you!). Such a low-effort gathering can give you a mental break and re-energise you for when you hit the books again. 💡

Exam season doesn't have to mean being locked in your room, stressed and isolated. It's about being intentional with your time. Go on then, readjust what “social” means to you and plan that mini get-together to take a chill pill with your friends. 🎓

Good luck! 🍀