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How to Cope with Breakups During Nigerian Poly or University Exams

Breakups can be difficult at any time, but experiencing heartbreak during Nigerian university exams can feel like an impossible challenge. Students in Nigeria often face intense pressure during exams. There are usually high expectations from family members, friends, and even personal aspirations. Adding the emotional pain of a breakup to this already stressful time can disrupt focus, drain energy, and make it hard to study or write exams successfully.

However, it is possible to get through this difficult combination with strategies that help both emotionally and academically. This article will share ways to manage heartbreak while preparing for and taking exams in a Nigerian university setting.

1. Acknowledge Your Emotions

One of the first steps to coping with a breakup during exams is to acknowledge your feelings. It’s normal to feel sad, angry, betrayed, or confused. Some students may try to block out these emotions completely, thinking it will help them focus better on their studies. Unfortunately, ignoring emotions often makes them stronger over time. Allow yourself to feel what you are feeling. Cry if you need to. Write your thoughts in a notebook. Talk to someone you trust, like a friend or a family member. If you bottle up your emotions, they may become a bigger burden later. Accepting your feelings allows you to process them and slowly move forward.

2. Limit Contact with Your Ex-Partner

During exam periods, it’s important to protect your peace of mind. Constantly checking your ex’s social media pages, reading old chats, or trying to communicate with them can prevent you from healing. It also keeps your mind focused on the breakup instead of your books. If possible, limit communication, at least until after your exams. Some people even choose to block their ex for a period of time, not out of hate, but to give themselves the space to recover. This boundary can help you focus on what matters most at the moment—your studies.

3. Create a Simple Study Plan

After a breakup, your concentration can be weaker than usual. Instead of trying to study for long hours, make a simple and realistic plan. Break your reading into smaller parts. You don’t have to finish an entire textbook in a day. If you can cover one or two topics and understand them well, that’s a good achievement. Write out a schedule. For example, study from 8 am to 10 am, rest for 30 minutes, and continue from 10:30 am to 12 pm. Small, consistent efforts are often more effective than forcing yourself into long, stressful study sessions.

4. Take Care of Your Physical Health

Heartbreak often causes people to neglect their physical health. You may lose your appetite or start eating unhealthy foods. Some students may even skip meals completely because they feel numb. This is not helpful, especially during exams when your brain needs fuel to function properly. Try to eat balanced meals, even if you don’t feel like it. Include carbohydrates for energy, protein for strength, and fruits or vegetables for vitamins. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and avoid taking too much caffeine or energy drinks. While it may seem easier to rely on junk food or stimulants, they can leave you feeling worse in the long run.

In addition to eating well, try to get enough sleep. Many students stay up all night reading, but a tired brain won’t remember much. Aim for at least 6 hours of sleep each night. If you have trouble sleeping because of stress or sadness, listen to calming music or read something light (outside of your schoolwork) before bed.

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5. Engage in Physical Activity

Exercise is a natural way to improve your mood. Even a short walk around campus or dancing in your room can release chemicals in your brain that make you feel better. You don’t have to run a marathon or go to the gym every day. Simple movements like stretching, walking, or playing football with friends can give you some relief. Exercise also helps to reduce anxiety and improve concentration. If your mind is full of painful thoughts about the breakup, doing something active can give you a break from thinking too much.

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6. Talk to Someone You Trust

Nigerian university life can be stressful enough without adding relationship issues. But you don’t have to go through everything on your own. Talking to a friend, course mate, or family member can lighten your emotional load. You may even discover that other people have gone through similar experiences and can offer advice or support. If you are part of a religious group on campus, you can also find comfort by speaking with a pastor, imam, or a fellowship member. Many students find strength in their faith during hard times. Some universities offer counseling services as well. Although not all schools have fully functional counseling centers, it’s worth finding out if this option is available.

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7. Stay Busy with Your Academics

While it’s important to process your emotions, it also helps to stay occupied with schoolwork. Focusing on your studies can give your mind something else to think about rather than dwelling on the breakup. Completing assignments, revising for exams, and attending group discussions can help fill your time and make you feel productive. When you see progress in your academics, it boosts your confidence. Remind yourself that succeeding in your exams is an achievement that can bring long-term rewards, unlike the temporary pain of a relationship ending.

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8. Avoid Negative Coping Mechanisms

Some students turn to alcohol, drugs, or unhealthy behaviors as a way of handling heartbreak. While these may seem to offer quick relief, they often make things worse. Substance use can interfere with your ability to think clearly and may lead to poor academic performance or health problems. Stay away from behaviors that may harm you in the future. Instead, focus on healthier ways to release stress. Write in a journal, listen to music, pray, or spend time with positive people.

9. Remind Yourself of Your Worth

A breakup does not reduce your value as a person. Whether the relationship ended because of mistakes on either side or simply because it wasn’t working anymore, it doesn’t mean you are not worthy of love or success. It’s easy to feel rejected or unwanted after a breakup, but you must remind yourself of your good qualities. Think about your strengths—whether it’s your intelligence, creativity, kindness, or resilience. Speak positive words to yourself every day, even if it feels strange at first. Words have power. Encourage yourself the way you would encourage a close friend.

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10. Plan Something to Look Forward To After Exams

Give yourself something positive to focus on after exams are over. It could be a short trip home, spending time with friends, starting a new hobby, or even trying a fresh hairstyle. Having something pleasant to look forward to can motivate you to stay strong during exams. Your life does not end because of a breakup. In fact, this period could be the start of personal growth and self-discovery.