Meditation for Students: Chill Out & Ace Your Exams

Being a student can be a real handful. With classes, homework, extracurricular activities, and social commitments all vying for your attention, it's no wonder you feel like you're always running on empty

This constant hustle and bustle can take a toll on your mental and physical health. Stress, lack of sleep, and fatigue can lead to anxiety, depression, and even physical health problems such as headaches and stomach issues.

Just like Abraham Lincoln famously said, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe," students need to prioritize self-care. Benefits of meditation for students ranges from improved focus, enhanced sleep quality to handling academic pressure more effectively.

Benefits of meditation for students‌

Importance of meditation can't be overstated. If you're a student finding it difficult to take out time for meditation, consider incorporating it during breaks in your study schedule.

Improves concentration

These days, with all the technology and social media around, it can be tough for students to stay focused. But with regular meditation, the brain's ability to process information and maintain focus increases. It holds utmost importance when you're tackling a complex subject or for revision during exams.

Reduces stress

One of the primary benefits of meditation for students is the significant enhancement of mental peace. When students focus on the present, the chaotic thoughts of deadlines, tests and other pressures reduce. Meditation for stress and anxiety involves techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness which help in lowering cortisol levels, the body's stress hormone.

Try this meditation from the Level SuperMind app to stay focused and relaxed during exams.

Next, you can try a quick meditation to 'Sharpen your focus' from the app.

Increases self awareness

Student life involves the challenges of growing up and trying to figure out who you are. Meditation helps students in understanding their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, their strengths and weaknesses. This contributes to personal growth and improved self-regulation. It is a stage where self-doubt creeps in and there’s a lot of confusion.

Improved sleep quality

Student life consists of hectic schedules with too many obligations to fulfil. By establishing a calmer mind before bedtime, students can fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper, more restorative sleep. With a relaxed mind, free from anxiety, they can focus better during daytime.

Enhanced creativity

As a student, you often need to come up with new ideas and think creatively to solve problems and complete projects. hen you meditate, it can help you clear your mind and focus on the present moment, which allows thoughts to flow more freely, thus establishing problem solving skills.

Improves self esteem

As a student, self-esteem is important, you need to have a belief in your abilities and trust in your decisions. But sometimes, it can be tough, especially when you're facing challenges and failures. Meditation provides a space for positive self-reflection and the reduction of negative thoughts which helps them have a positive outlook on life.

Better mental resilience

Meditation strengthens mental resilience in students by teaching them to manage stress and recover from setbacks more effectively. Through regular practice, students learn to observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment, allowing them to be steady and composed in challenging situations.

Also read: Should You Meditate for 10 Minutes, or More?

Boosts memory

Meditation stimulates the hippocampus and frontal brain lobe’s activity, which are crucial for forming new memories and learning. Whether it is retaining information for exams, recalling important dates, or learning new topics, meditation can help in improving grades and academic performances overall.

How to start meditating?

For students new to meditation, here’s how to get started easily:

• Find a quiet spot: Choose a place where you won’t be disturbed.
• Comfortable position: Sit comfortably, whether on a chair or on the floor, maintaining a posture that helps keep you alert.
• Focus on breathing: Pay attention to the natural rhythm of your breath. Feel the air enter and exit your lungs.
• Begin with short sessions: Start with five-minute sessions and gradually increase the time as you become more comfortable.

Explore the different types of meditation to enhance your practice:

• Mindfulness meditation: Stay aware of your breath, and when your mind wanders, gently guide it back.
• Guided meditation: Follow along with recordings from meditation apps or online videos.
• Mantra meditation: Repeat a calming word or phrase to focus your mind.

Challenges and solutions

You may think that it's so difficult to focus on the breath when you sit down to meditate. Here are some additional challenges and what you can do about it:

Finding time

One of the biggest challenges students face is finding time for meditation. It's beneficial to integrate meditation into existing routines, perhaps meditating right before bed or first thing in the morning, ensuring it becomes a natural part of the day.

Dealing with distractions

In our digital age, distractions are everywhere. Using apps like Level SuperMind for mindfulness can help keep you accountable and minimize distractions, providing interesting guided sessions and reminders to maintain focus.

Also read: 30+ Ways to Improve Memory and Grasping Power in Students

Staying consistent

Like any other skill, meditation requires practice. Setting small, achievable goals and gradually increasing the meditation time motivates students to remain consistent.

Meditation for students on Level SuperMind

For students, finding time to relax and recharge can seem like a luxury they just don't have. However, studies show that meditation offers a powerful toolbox for managing stress, improving focus, and boosting academic performance.

Level SuperMind offers a variety of guided meditations specifically designed for students, available in multiple regional languages. These meditations target common student struggles and can be used throughout your study journey:

• Conquer exam anxiety: "Stop Panicking in Exams" helps you manage stress and boost focus, ensuring peak performance on the big day.
• Organize your studies: "Fear Setting and Mind Mapping" tackles anxiety by guiding you to create a clear study plan, leaving you feeling prepared and confident.
• Sleep soundly, perform well: "Night Before Exam" promotes deep sleep, allowing you to wake up refreshed and ready to ace your exams.

Apart from all this, you can also try out the 7- day Beginners series and 21 days challenge series in order to get started with your meditation journey and make it a part of your daily routine.

Also read: Busting 10 Common Negative Thoughts during Exams

‌FAQs

• How to meditate for the first time?

Begin by sitting quietly in a comfortable position, closing your eyes, and focusing on your breath. Feel the air entering and exiting your lungs and allow any thoughts to pass without engaging with them.

• How many minutes of meditation is good for students?

Students should aim for a minimum of five to ten minutes per day and can increase the duration as they become more comfortable with the practice.

• Why does meditation help students?

Meditation helps by reducing stress, improving concentration, enhancing cognitive abilities, and providing a sense of peace and balance.

• Does meditation help with exams?

Absolutely. Meditation can help students remain calm and focused during exams, which can lead to improved performance.

Final thoughts

The importance of meditation for students in achieving academic success and mental well-being is profound. By incorporating meditation into their daily lives, students can enjoy the myriad benefits , from increased mental peace to better management of stress and anxiety. Start your meditation journey today to unlock a more focused, calm, and resilient version of yourself.

Read next: Read the best motivational books for students (2023)