6 Practical Strategies for Students in Switzerland

Exams can be a major source of stress for many students – often weeks or even months before the actual exam day. Sleep issues, nervous tension and constant overthinking can make everyday life difficult. Because exam anxiety is rarely logical, effective strategies often involve emotional and mental techniques – not just more studying.

Here are six proven methods to overcome exam stress, restore inner calm and improve focus – especially helpful for students living and studying in Switzerland.

1. Move your body outdoors – ideally with others

Exercise in nature – hiking, jogging or skiing – is proven to reduce stress and boost mental strength. Time spent outdoors increases energy and helps you clear your mind. Even better: go with friends. Shared activity helps you disconnect from pressure and recharge.

2. Interrupt the digital overload

Constant scrolling on Instagram, news sites or TikTok can increase anxiety without us realizing it. A digital detox – even just for a few days – slows the mental noise and improves concentration. Try deleting certain apps or blocking them temporarily.

3. Mental techniques to calm your mind

🎧 Listen to mantras: Repeating calming mantras can break the cycle of anxious thoughts and create a state of peace. It might feel strange at first, but many students report surprising benefits.

🧘 Meditation & inner child work: Visualise meeting your younger self with kindness and support. This emotional self-care technique can dissolve tension and restore self-confidence. Practiced regularly, it builds mental resilience before exams. Tip: Katie Byron

4. Use positive affirmations to shift thinking

Statements like “I am enough” or “It’s okay to fail – I learn from it” can replace negative thought loops with empowering beliefs. Record affirmations in your own voice or listen to someone you identify with – repetition strengthens their impact.

5. Try Kundalini yoga and breathing techniques

Focused breathing in Kundalini yoga helps release emotional blocks and promotes inner balance. These techniques are especially powerful for students dealing with exam pressure. Many classes are available in Switzerland, including in Bern and Lucerne.

🧘 Bonus Tips for Relaxation and Focus

Kundalini Yoga in Switzerland:
Discover local classes and online resources to learn Kundalini yoga techniques for deep breathing, balance and stress relief.
👉 kundalini-yoga.ch

Wim Hof Breathing Method:
This popular technique combines controlled breathing and cold exposure to improve mental clarity and reduce anxiety. Try a guided session here:
👉 Watch on YouTube

6. Hypnosis for long-term stress relief

Hypnotherapy can effectively reduce anxiety and promote calm. Whether in-person, in groups or through YouTube sessions, it supports deep mental change. Popular approaches include:

• Anchor technique: Linking a colour (e.g. light blue) with a feeling of calm.
• Visualisation journey: Imagining your worries floating away in a hot-air balloon.
• Changing your perspective: Instead of thinking “I must pass or I’m a failure,” remind yourself that success comes in many forms – your self-worth is not tied to exam results.

Looking for a calm place to study and live?

Stuwo offers fully furnished student rooms in shared flats (WGs) in Bern, Windisch and Lucerne. Our modern, all-inclusive living spaces come with fast Wi-Fi, a desk, bed, wardrobe and more – ideal for focused study and stress-free living. All rooms are rented at a fixed monthly price with no hidden costs.

Join a friendly student community and concentrate on what really matters: your education and wellbeing.

👉 www.stuwo.ch – Student Housing in Switzerland Without the Stress