Seven years. That’s how long I have been a student. By the time I am finally crowned Dr. Debrin, I will have spent a decade in one academic institution or another. Ten long years.
So I can tell you a little bit about how to keep sane at the end of each semester. I couldn’t show you because I have never managed to keep sane myself. But I could certainly tell you all the best study techniques. I have heard about them from others.
As I am not the most reliable source on how to keep calm and collected during times of stress, the following handy hints come from a mix of trawling through cyber space, my own experience and the harrowing tales of my friends. Maybe somewhere along the line the information might help you. If not, well, good luck to you.

Plan for every eventuality
Marcus Aurelius once wrote that the secret of all victory lies in the organization of the non-obvious. Sure, the philosopher king was talking about going into war but the same could be said for preparing to study.
Think about what your life is going to be like in the weeks around the exams and plan. If you know your flat mates don’t have exams and will be partying their way through a keg or two, get to know the library. Or, better yet, go out and make friends with someone who lives with their parents. That way you can read your textbooks and you might get some fresh baked cookies as well.

Set goals
I’m not talking about the five-year plan sort of goals. They’re not going to help you here. Rather, when you have a book you need to get through break it down by chapters. Tell yourself: three chapters and then a coffee, two more chapters and then dinner. As you make your way through masses of text, divide and conquer. Don’t say “I am going to study all of Saturday” – that’s just setting yourself up for failure. The key here is to be realistic.
My mother always said: you eat your elephant bit by bit (sure we’re Africans and sometimes eat some strange animals but you get the picture).

Feng Shui your study area
Set aside a place for study and make it yours. One American university recommends you study in the same place every time to create a study “habit”. May be a bit late for that now. But wherever you do choose to plant yourself it should have:
• good lighting
• ventilation
• a comfortable chair, but not too comfortable (no nana naps allowed)
• a desk large enough to spread out your materials
What you don’t want when you are studying is:
• a distracting view of other activities that you want to be involved in
• a loud stereo
• a TV
• a flat mate or friend who wants to talk a lot
• Easy access to the fridge

Find Zen
This is not an encouragement to go out and find a new religion. I wouldn’t dare considering the content of our lettuces page each week. When I say, “find Zen”, I mean find a way to de-stress, to find your inner calm, to relax when it all seems too much.
For me, it’s making lists. After a rather spectacular tanty when I was stressed a few years back, I learned that making lists is very therapeutic. Pouring everything that needs to get done onto a bit of paper can clear the mind and help you organize things. Even if your piece of paper or computer screen is full, at least you know what you are trying to tackle. Making a list takes away the sense of being overwhelmed with everything (again it’s the elephant eating thing).
But calming yourself when the shit hits the fan can really depend on your personality. Relaxation techniques work for some (you know, breathing through your eyes sort of stuff). Or going to the gym to get the endorphins flowing. Or making a plan for one night of not-too-heavy drinking to reward yourself for your hard work.
Remember, if you get tired or sick because of stress then no one wins. So don’t be a martyr. Learn to recognize when you are stressed and learn how to relax.

Don’t procrastinate. Seriously.
Someone once said: Procrastination is like masturbation - fun at first but in the end you are just screwing yourself. I tried to find a different quote to say the same thing but that pretty much sums it up.
All the self-help websites and blogs out there will tell you that to conquer procrastination you have to:
• Deal with your stress
• Set a schedule
• Break your tasks apart
• Take breaks
• Give yourself a deadline
• Have someone keep you accountable
Yada, yada, yada.
It comes down to one point: take control. You don’t want to be sitting in the exam, having procrastinated your life away, and with nothing to rely on but your natural genius.
Trust me, this is not the best way to go.