2017 will meet a new batch of hopeful 16 year olds taking a new batch of GCSEs, there has been speculation on whether this year’s GCSE is going be harder than last and conclusion seems to be a certain yes, which only means one thing: more revision. But how is a student expected to spend long periods of time revising on top of having to sit in a classroom for 6 or more hours a day 5 days a week and learn new topics? It is important for a student to stay on top of their work, but they need fuel and sustenance to do so; this fuel comes from one resource no humans can live without: food.

Regardless of whether we are revising or not, food is a necessity and must be fitted into a daily routine. When revising, it is advised to drink lots of water and eat healthily. Why? Because it is said to “increase motivation”.  A year 11 student of Cobham Hall currently studying for mock exams in December says, “I feel really accomplished when I eat healthy snacks while revising, it makes me feel like I’m taking care of my body and mind and gives me a positive attitude towards my work.”

Healthy foods such as raisins and granola release energy slowly, but a common misconception about eating healthy is that we must solely focus on one food group, but that is not the case, this neglects other food groups which are needed in order to have a balanced diet; A balanced diet is essential for good health — it consists of 7 main sections: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water. If these are all taken in the correct amounts, they can be proven very beneficial for your health.

But preparing meals with a good balance of all 7 components can be quite stressful, especially during exam time. Another year 11 student  of Cobham Hall studying for mocks says, “I like chocolate and biscuits and crisps and I don’t see why that’s such as a bad thing. when I’m revising and eating the food I like, it makes me more comfortable and I enjoy myself more. I’d rather eat the unhealthy foods I like rather than forcing myself to eat healthy.”

This is a valid argument, but having a diet that mainly focuses on saturated fats at the expense of the other main component, can be damaging for your health as it can cause bloating and more serous blood sugar and weight problems.

A healthy diet is better in the long term, however GCSEs are a stressful time for students and everybody copes with stress differently, and revising is all about being in a comfortable environment where one can concentrate. Whether concentration is benefitted nibbling on a stick of celery or on a jaffa cake is up to the individual.