Should You Allow Yourself Breathing Space During the Final Exam Sprint?

Whether you’re sitting this year’s public exams or preparing for your school’s internal assessments, you’ve probably asked yourself: Should I keep pushing myself to study non-stop, or should I carve out moments to rest?

As a student, I was often overwhelmed by anxiety. I feared falling behind so much that I’d study eight hours a day. I also believed that once I was in a flow state, I could power through without breaks. Despite those marathon study sessions, my mind felt blank when I did revision again. Even if I tried to sneak in a quick break when exhaustion hit, I found it did little to help me remember things better. That struggle led me to write this article: how can we strike the right balance between revision and rest?

I know the guilt that creeps in when you pause to relax; it feels like time wasted. Perhaps we need to rethink what “rest” really means. Contrary to delaying our progress, taking strategic breaks can actually boost our learning outcomes and efficiency. As we bury ourselves in books, our feelings of anxiety and pressure increase without us realising. Researchers at the University of Sydney found that taking breaks during study reduces stress, calms our minds, and helps us recharge. Moreover, if we shorten our study sessions and slip in 5 to 10-minute pauses, we can avoid that empty-headed feeling when revisiting study materials. Breaks strengthen memory and sharpen focus, sometimes more effectively than extra hours of uninterrupted study. And before you doze off over those pages, allow yourself a proper nap to gather fresh energy for the next round.

With modern tech at our fingertips, many of us, myself included, rely on screens to “unwind.” We scroll through our phones in bed, binge videos while eating, or text friends when studying. However, research from Cornell University shows that it's better not to use phones or any electronic devices when taking breaks because such breaks will not really let your brain relax. Instead, they tighten our daily pace.

Personally, I go to different study spots throughout the week. My go-to place is a study room in Mong Kok, or I occasionally take a minibus back to my school library in the morning. Under heavy stress, I’ll switch to a café for a change of scenery. This helps me schedule breaks more deliberately. At lunchtime, I’ll grab a meal at a nearby restaurant; in the early evening, I might snack at the mall or browse some shops. Sometimes I study with friends at a café, then every two hours we stroll around the mall or chat to de-stress. When hunger hits, I’ll treat myself to my favourite slice of cheesecake as a small reward.

Moving from all-day study marathons to explore different venues has made revision less monotonous and more fun — each day feels like a mini adventure during exam preparation period. Changing your environment and mindset can give you that vital breathing space, making studying more efficient and far more enjoyable.

Beyond my own routine, you might also schedule short, attention-diverting activities into your revision plan. A study shows that a 15 to 20-minute “power nap” delivers optimal benefits. Researchers also recommend that, under academic stress, students could try meditation, park walks, or simply tidying their study areas. All of these help relax the body and mind, as well as boost learning efficiency.

Remember: you’re more than just a candidate number on an exam paper — you’re a living, feeling person. When anxiety peaks, prioritising your mental well-being is the wisest strategy of all.

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