If you’re reading this during your exam season, my heart goes out to you.

You might be extremely worried about the upcoming exams, losing hope because you feel like there’s too much to memorise, or feeling exhausted… maybe even burnt out.

Take a deep breath. God feels your struggle, and He hears your anxiety. 

As a sister in Christ, I know how difficult it may be. But over the years, I’ve found several ways to keep pushing through when exams get extra difficult, all of which point towards finding rest in God.

I hope that these 4 tips will encourage you to keep going! 

1. KEEP GOD’S WORD CLOSE

The process of taking exams can often feel like a war. And just like how soldiers are more vulnerable to sickness, the pressure can make us susceptible to helplessness, anxiety or even depression. 

So if this is a battle, what weapons can we use to remain in God’s peace? 

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:14-17)

We hear this a lot, but it’s true: God’s Word is extremely powerful. Each verse that we remember can protect us from the lies of the devil. 

So keep reading the Bible, pick a couple verses and memorise them to recite in your mind before you take the exam. Paste a verse on your study table or listen to a worship playlist. The possibilities are endless! 

It’s helpful to have God’s little notes of love and comfort close to us, as this intimacy with Him can get us through the toughest of times!

2. DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR FRIENDSHIPS

If you’ve ever studied Physics, you’d probably be familiar with the formula, pressure = force/area. This means that given the same force, if you have a larger area, you’ll feel less pressure. 

The reason why I loved this chapter so much was because it reminded me of the importance of community. Even though the force of exam stress may weigh heavy, we can increase our “area” by journeying with friends, which causes the pressure we feel to decrease! 

Interestingly, the Bible also recognises the importance of community.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) 

During exam season, it’s tempting to isolate yourself to focus on studying. However, it’s actually extra important to stay connected to your church community.

Pressure = Force/Area

Chances are, mentors and siblings in Christ will be able to cheer you on and put you on a path back to God if you start going the opposite direction. 

So chat with a friend or ask a loved one for prayer. Community will take some of that burden off your shoulders, and together, you’ll find that you can face whatever approaches with a new trust in God. 

3. REMEMBER WHY WE STUDY

I get it. You’ve probably been spinning in a daze of textbooks and papers for so long that you’re sick of it. But one of the greatest encouragements is remembering why we study. 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

Losing motivation? Don’t study mindlessly – study with God as your goal. 

Blessed with this opportunity to receive an education, this is our chance to enrich ourselves with knowledge and use that to serve God in the future.

Don’t get me wrong, though! This doesn’t mean that we must get the highest score to please God. Instead, we glorify Him by remaining faithful and making the best of what He has given us. Ultimately, it’s our heart that matters most to Him. 

So let go of papers that you think you made mistakes on and commit them to God. He has a plan for our lives! All we need to do is work hard, then entrust the results into the hands of our good, good Father. 

4. GET SOME SLEEP

Sometimes, it’s important to find rest in simply… rest. 

When things get overwhelming, remember to breathe. Exams can feel like a sprint to the end that leaves us breathless and exhausted, so it’s important to give ourselves time to unwind.

In 1 Kings 19:5-6, after returning from defeating the false prophets of Baal, Elijah is completely hammered. He’s so exhausted and so scared of backlash that he asks God to take his life. 

And then… he falls asleep. 

We’re all human. So don’t forget to step away from books occasionally, sleep early and schedule in some quiet time with God. Not only does this help us stay close to Him, it also helps us study better. 

Besides, when we take a break, it’s a way of telling God that we believe He’s in ultimate control. So surrender the results to God and let yourself rest.

When you’re finally ready to turn in for the night, let yourself feel God’s presence around you. For He watches over you and longs to give you peace.

He is holding your hand as he leads you through this season. You are His beloved child whom He treasures dearly. 

No matter what your grades are, God loves you all the same. So do your best, and remember that God is rooting for you too!