During exam season, you may feel like any time not devoted to studying is wasted. It is important though to keep balance between your work and taking time for yourself and your wellbeing. One good way to do this is to take a break from the library by doing your hobbies. Don’t let exam season keep you from doing what you love to do. Maybe it’s also a good time to try something new? 

Reading  

There is no better way to take your mind off academics than by indulging in a good read. Try reaching out for something light and relaxing. Perhaps a summer story that will let you imagine life after exams, when the long and warm days are finally here. “Everything I Know About Love” by Dolly Alderton is a warm read filled with laughter that takes you on a journey through the authors’ 20s, And, it’s set in London! This novel will surely allow you to wander in your imagination to when exam season is over. If this is doesn’t  convince you, why not have a Blind Date with a Book? Choosing a read this way, you don’t know what book you’re getting other than a three-word description. This can be a fun way to get into reading. If you missed our KCLSU edition, you can get it from many bookstores around the city or online.   

There is also a Book Club society at King’s that organises monthly club meetings to discuss books they are reading. It a great idea to look for book recommendations there, as well as connect with fellow bookworms and make some new friends. You can find the Bookclub’s contact details here. 

Sports 

If physical activity is your preferred way to relax, why not take some time to practice your favourite sports? Going for a run, a cycle, or even working out at home can be a great way to start of the day and prepare your mind for studying. It can also be a good reset after a long session of revising. If you’d like to try something new or try out a class, head over to King’s Sport and take a look at their offer for this exam season. You can make use of the wide array of classes with professional coaches and who knows, maybe you’ll pick up a new hobby! 

King’s Sport also offers a selection of classes to boost your mindfulness and wellbeing. They range from meditation to yoga and you can see how to access them here. 

You can also get involved with one of our student societies and sports clubs to find new ways to de-stress. 

Among others, King’s has an active Yoga Society, which runs regular classes. Yoga can be a great way to connect with your mind and body and refresh your brain. You can see the club’s contact details and class schedule here.  

Another group that helps practicing mindfulness is the Meditation Society. This group strives to create space for students to take a break from studying to clear their minds. See the society’s page here. 

Hanging out with friends 

It is important to keep interacting with people even in exam season. One way can be to organise study sessions together And why not make it a bit more fun by joining a study session with something entertaining. For example, you can reward yourself for a long day of studying by going to a park at sunset. Hampstead Heath is a perfect place to make use of the beautiful long evenings. To find other chill out spots around the city, check out this article. If you prefer staying on campus, you can also head to on of our KCLSU spaces. We now have boardgames available at the Hubs Desks that you can use to wind down after a day at the library. You can explore our spaces here. 

There is also a wide range of social events at this time organised by both KCLSU and King’s. KCLSU Wellbeing regularly organises get-to-know-each-other sessions, which are opportunities to meet new people in a comfortable and relaxed environment. On the side of King’s, different departments and faculties organise social events for their students. Check out your faculty’s newsletter or intranet page to see what is happening this exam season. The academic year might be ending but King’s stays active. Why not make some new friends ahead of summer? 

Spending some time in nature 

If you walk 10 mins north from King's you'll find Lincoln's Inn Fields, a lovely park area where you can enjoy lunch between classes on a nice day. For those who say London isn't a green city, it's just not true. There are a bunch of parks and green spaces all over London, perfect to get some fresh air or have a picnic with your friends on a sunny day. You can find a list of green spaces within a 15-minute walk of all of our campuses here.