Keeping Christ in eXams

For a lot of people it's exam season, and oh what a stressful season it is! This time of year students stop showering, sleeping, eating, and socializing (okay, that's a bit overdramatic but you get my point). This year I have been thinking a lot about Jesus. Unfortunately, most times things like showering and eating take precedence over Jesus, so if we're ditching general hygiene practises I can only imagine where Jesus is on our priority list.

I thought I would compile a list of practical suggestions to help keep the focus on Christ, even in the busy exam season.

1. Pray: This might sound really simple to you, but it's true. A lot of times the simplest way to honour God is the last thing we’re thinking about. Before you start studying, take a few minutes to pray, and ask God for strength during your study session.
2. Read the Bible: After studying all day most of us really don’t want to read anything for the rest of the night. I would seriously challenge you to keep up your daily quiet time with Jesus, and get into the Bible every day even while studying. This might mean doing your bible study first, when you wake up, that way you won’t have any excuses in the evening.
3. Sing a worship song: Instead of last minute cramming for your exam, why not spend the few minutes before you exam worshipping God? Listen to your favourite worship song on your iPod on your way to your exam, or if you’re like me and you don’t have an iPod, blast your favourite worship song before leaving your house and sing it at the top of your lungs.
4. Write your favourite verse on your exam: This may seem really unusual, but it’s a great way to witness to your professors. Before your exam write your favourite verse, and if you can’t think of your favourite verse write a short one sentence prayer. This will definitely put a smile on your face right when you get into your exam, and if you find you’re fading half way through your exam just look at your verse.
5. Have a day of rest: It’s holy and God-honouring to have one day of rest during the week (Exodus 20:8-9). If you feel like this isn’t going to happen for you, pray that it will. If you can’t take a whole day try taking a half-day of rest. Spend this time glorifying God through prayer, song, or journaling, go for a walk with your family, catch up on your favourite show, make yourself a healthy dinner, and just rest!


“And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on...Instead, seek his kingdom and these things will be added to you.” –Luke 12: 22, 31