“Keep the ball rolling, it doesn’t have to be like an 8-hour study per day, it could be some two or one-hour study session to see how it feels”, says Lorenzo Tecchia, 24-years-old, a first-year computational science student at the UvA. For Lorenzo, rather than exam stress, the anxiety comes more when assignments also overlap all at once. When he is aware that he is not putting in the consistent effort that he should be, it leads to further procrastination. To cope with putting off tasks and stress, he goes on routined runnings, especially during exam season, and tries to stick to a tight schedule to keep himself balanced. For him, running creates a clear break from studying and causes distress physically before returning to assignments. Taking longer pauses when focusing is difficult and implementing various study techniques, such as the Pomodoro, where one studies for 25 minutes and takes a 5-minute break, and repeating these intervals to improve focus and avoid burnout. Instead of studying in large blocks, separating them into manageable portions makes the amount less intimidating.

For Ha My Vu, a 21-year-old, second-year Media and Information student at the UvA, exam stress peaks especially the week before and the thought of taking an exam creates anxiety. She copes through self-assurance by repeatedly telling herself that she has done all there is to study and has attended the lectures and seminars. She believes that staying on track with a study schedule allows her to minimize the unnecessary stress. One of her routines prior to exams includes texting and calling her friends, especially peers from her major, to review content together and support one another. These conversations turn studying into something more social, where they can share notes, discuss difficult concepts, and remind one another that they are not alone. She claims that “taking care of yourself, sleeping enough and still trying to enjoy life even though it’s stressful for balance” is key to succeeding in exams. She also finds it useful to romanticize studying by making the experience feel more enjoyable. For her, finding pretty cafes helps her lift up mood and mitigate the sense of dread often associated with studying, making the painful exam stress into a pleasurable one.

While each student approaches the exams differently, their strategies seem to reveal a key reality: Studying is no longer just simply about memorizing or engaging with the content, but about the ability to manage pressure. Whether through following a reward system, strict routines or connecting with friends, UvA students are actively exploring ways to stay focused without experiencing heavy burnouts. These techniques might not be a complete solution to making stress disappear by a work of magic, but allowing for making the burden manageable. These interviews reveal that exams are not only about a test of knowledge, but also a test of resilience. For UvA students, staying strong and sane becomes part of succeeding during exam season.