Best Essential Oils for Exam Season

Although the evidence is largely anecdotal, there is a widely held belief that rosemary oil can help to boost smell memory.

It could explain why parents across the UK will suddenly start to smell daily wafts of rosemary emanating from their children’s bedrooms, as they ready themselves for long periods of revision.

With GCSE, A-Level and degree exams on the horizon, millions of students will be thinking of ways to manage their stress and anxiety levels over the coming months.

From inhaling rosemary oil to boost concentration and using lavender oil to unwind after an intense revision session, we look at the best essential oils and methods to help you during exam season.

Should I use essential oils for studying?

Many students use essential oils in the lead up to exams, as they find it can help them improve their concentration during study periods and allow them to relax during break periods.

Of course, it all comes down to personal preference and the type of atmosphere you want to revise in, as well as what works best for you when it comes to recharging your brain.

According to researchers, exposing our senses to certain sound or scent cues during learning and sleep can enhance memory performance. [1]

Whilst research into smell memory is still relatively light, using essential oils for studying is a relatively cost-effective option worth considering ahead of your exams.

How do I create a relaxing atmosphere using essential oils?

According to a survey conducted by the Mental Health Foundation, younger people experience higher levels of stress when it comes to the pressure to succeed. [2]

The pressure faced by students in schools, colleges and universities can be sky high during exam season, so you need to find ways to manage it as much as possible.

Lots of people use lavender oil for relaxation, with the scent emitting a sense of calm and tranquillity. Where some sprinkle a few drops on their pillow to help them unwind before bed, others enjoy the natural fragrance via a diffuser.

Lavender essential oil also blends very well with lots of other oils, so you could try a mixture like:

• 4 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
• 4 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
• 2 drops of Frankincense Serrata (Indian) Essential Oil

Can I use essential oils to unwind after studying?

The period after you have finished studying is just as important as the time spent with your head in the books. Our brains need time to defocus and centre themselves after periods of intense concentration, so one way you could help your mind – and body – is by trying an essential oil bath blend.

Essential oil blends can transform an ordinary hot bath into something far more special, helping to recharge your mind through your senses.

• 4 drops of Geranium Essential Oil
• 3 drops of Bergamot Essential Oil
• 2 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
• 4-5 drops of carrier oil of choice

Be sure to mix the essential oils with your preferred carrier oil before getting into the water, as this will protect your skin and reduce the chances of any potential reaction.

Is rosemary oil good for memory and concentration?

Eating, sleeping and exercising all play a pivotal role in helping you to revise well and retain important information ahead of your exam dates. Essential oils could also prove useful, as while there is no conclusive evidence on the subject, some studies have produced interesting results that suggest they could boost memory recall.

For example, one rosemary oil memory study looked at how using rosemary for memory could impact human cognition. [3]

The tests involved people undergoing subtraction and visual processing tasks whilst being exposed to the herb’s aroma. The study concluded that the speed and accuracy of the participants improved in-line with the level of exposure to the scent.

• Topical application: Mix a few drops of rosemary oil with a carrier oil of choice and rub into your chest, neck and temples.
• Inhalation method: If you want to use rosemary oil for studying, add some of the oil to a diffuser and position it in your room to let the scent drift through the space as you study. You can also add a few drops to a candle or make your own candle that infuses the oil into the wax.
• Bath blend: You can also try the bath blend approach we mentioned above, substituting the listed oils with rosemary and a carrier oil.

General revision advice

Even if you are thinking of using essential oils for studying, you may find the following revision tips helpful:

• Find a revision style that works for you, whether it’s studying alone in a quiet space, doing it with other people or with music or some other kind of ambience around you.
• Once you know how much revision you need to do and when it needs to be completed, put together a realistic schedule that feels manageable. Break it down into smaller blocks and mix up the subjects so you don’t get bored and lose focus.
• Take regular short breaks in-between study sessions as this will help your focus and make it easier to retain the information. Studying for too long can have the opposite effect, only serving to increase your anxiety, stress and ability to concentrate on the task at hand.
• Feed and hydrate your body with lots of water and healthy foods like nuts, vegetables and fruits. Maintaining a good diet will help to keep your energy levels high so you aren't constantly fighting off fatigue which can impact the quality of your study sessions. Intake of the right food and fluids will ensure your body is receiving vitamins and minerals that could improve your memory and concentration.
• Sleep also plays an important role during the revision period. The more tired you are the less information you will retain, so try to avoid late nights where possible. A study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found there was a strong relationship between student’s grades and the amount of sleep they got. [4]

Final thoughts

Whilst using essential oils for exams won’t guarantee better exam results, they could make your revision periods easier to manage.

Whether it’s for boosting your memory or improving your downtime outside of studying, there are lots of ways you can introduce essential oils into your routine.

And remember, if you do feel overwhelmed by your study schedule, share your concerns with friends, family, teachers and any student support services that may be available to you.