22 Aug 2017

We all have those days where we walk out of an exam and know we’ve f*cked up. Maybe you left studying to the night before and you couldn’t cram enough, maybe you skipped over revising the content that the big mark question was based on or maybe you just sat in the exam hall for two hours staring at the paper and wondering when you ever learnt that in class.

Here are five ways to make yourself feel better about the whole thing:

1. Go for a drive

Grab your mate that has his P’s (the one who won’t kill you with his shit driving) and jump in the car. Don’t aim to end up anywhere, just get in and go. Wind the windows down and turn the music up as far and loud as it will go. Scream the lyrics to your favourite songs and make up the bits that you can’t remember.

Play songs that you listened to in Year 7 and marvel at the fact that you have every word to Mr Brightside down pat but can’t seem to memorise a single quote for your English exam. Stop for a maccas feed and steal everyone else’s chips before divvying up meals. Stick your head out the window and feel the air on your face, remember there is a whole world out there and one day, soon, you’ll be free of exams and stress.

2. Sleep it off

Go home and ditch your uniform. Have a long, hot shower; let the steam fog up the mirror so that you can’t see your own reflection and wash off the day. Put on your comfy trackies and your favourite old hoodie and curl up in bed. Flip your pillow to the cool side and lay in the dark. Listen to your breathing and the beating of your heart that tells you that you are still fighting to get through this; that you have made it through this day and you will make it through another. Wrap yourself in your doona and let yourself rest.

3. Have a movie marathon

Get your favourite kids movies, the best of Harry Potter, a movie that makes you laugh and your top 90s flicks. Bawl your eyes out when Simba loses his dad and wish you were Ferris Bueller when he’s dancing in the parade.

Recite your favourite lines in Harry Potter and remember what it felt like watching the movie for the first time. Close your eyes when a scary part comes on and fast forward through the scenes you never really liked.

Watch one of those movies that’s be on your list for ages and enjoy getting lost in a different world.

4. Go for a run

Have a glass of water, lace up your shoes and head outside. It’s hard to start but just put one foot in front of the other until your lungs are burning and your heart is pounding. Keep running until it feels like you’re finally getting away from your exam.

Direct your energy into your legs and feel the strength that pulses through them. Push yourself until your body is screaming and you want to give up then make yourself go a little further. Remind yourself of your own strength.

5. Spend time with your friends

Surround yourself with the people who have been by your side through the good and the bad. Talk about inside jokes and old memories. Moan and bitch about how you’ve ruined your life because you f*cked up one exam and know that as long as you’ve got your friends with you, it doesn’t really matter because you’re all in this together. Take comfort in the fact that despite the millions of people in the world, you have found the ones who will stand by you.