How to survive 'those' stressfull weeks
Hey guys, i’m back.
You might have noticed that my blog turned into a ghost town for the past 4 to 6 weeks. No posts, no updates, nada. That’s because I was going through the ultimate teenage battle: the final exam week of the school year. 😵💫
I knew I had to go all in. Full focus. No distractions. Which meant stepping away from the blog, my phone (okay, trying to), and basically anything fun. Because sometimes, you just have to grind.
The crazy part? This was my 11th exam week. Yep. I’ve been through eleven of these chaotic, sleep-deprived marathons and somehow lived to tell the tale. So even though I’m not exactly a master of managing stress (who is?), I have picked up a few weird but actually helpful tricks along the way.
These aren’t your typical “just make a schedule” or “take breaks” kind of tips. These are the underrated, under-shared, slightly quirky hacks that actually helped me keep my sanity.
So here we go:
1. Create a "Doom Box"
This one sounds dramatic—and it kind of is—but it works. The idea is simple: grab a box (shoe box, plastic container, whatever) and throw in anything that’s annoying or distracting you.
That broken pen that keeps leaking on your notes? In the box.
That notebook with the weird cringey doodles from last year? In the box.
Even negative thoughts, like "I'm gonna fail this math test"—write them down, crumple them up, and toss them in.
It’s like a mental detox. You’re not fixing everything right away, you’re just clearing space—physically and mentally. Out of sight, out of mind. Your brain will thank you.
2. Explain Your Stress—Out Loud
This one sounds weird until you try it. When your thoughts start spiraling—like when you’re lying in bed at 1 AM thinking about how much you haven’t studied—say your thoughts out loud.
Like:
“Okay, I’m stressed because I have biology tomorrow and I still don’t get photosynthesis. But I’ve already reviewed 3 chapters, and I have time in the morning to review again.”
By talking out loud, you force your brain to translate the chaos into sentences, which gives you more control. It literally stops your brain from overthinking and helps you process what's actually going on.
If talking to yourself feels awkward, pretend you’re explaining it to a friend. Or, bonus idea: voice memo it. Just getting it out of your head makes a big difference.
3. Watch People Be Perfect
I know this sounds like the opposite of helpful—why would I want to see people being amazing at stuff when I’m over here dying from exam stress? But hear me out.
Go to YouTube and search “satisfying video compilation” or “people doing things perfectly”.
These videos are strangely calming. Watching someone cut soap with perfect precision or organize a chaotic fridge into a color-coded masterpiece does something to your brain. It switches into observation mode—which is basically your brain's chill zone.
It’s like a mini spa day for your mind. You’re still kind of zoning out, but it’s not the same as scrolling mindlessly on TikTok. It's soothing. Therapeutic, even.
Look, exam season sucks. There’s no magical way to make it easy or fun. But finding your weird little coping mechanisms can make a huge difference.
Whether it’s locking away your distractions in a Doom Box, talking to yourself like a therapist, or zoning out to satisfying videos, remember this:
You're not alone.
You're not a failure for feeling overwhelmed.
And you’ve totally got this.
Now that exams are over, I’ll be back here more often, sleeping in, binge-watching shows, and maybe even catching up on life outside school (what’s that again?).
Let me know in the comments what YOUR weirdest exam survival tip is. Or just scream about test stress. I’ll scream with you. 💀
See you soon,
xx
M, still on earth….