Shake off nostalgia: 3 ways to stay sharp during NAIT exams

By Adrian Amon on April 9, 2025

Nostalgia is a powerful thing. The Greeks once described it as a kind of mental illness — a longing for home, a time long gone. Today, it often creeps in when we’re stressed, tired or feeling overwhelmed.

We’re post-secondary students, and it’s our prerogative to grow beyond our limitations. Nostalgia, though, is a siren’s song. It calls us back into comfort when we must move forward.

So how do you move beyond the past that feels safer than the here and now? What does this have to do with exams? These three reminders will help:

Tackle your course load head-on

Take responsibility for the material. There are no shortcuts when it comes to learning. Make a schedule, stick to it and face your workload without excuses.

Let go of “the good old days.”

We often believe everything was better before, but that’s selective memory. Nostalgia tends to hide the hard parts. Remind yourself why you’re here: to build something better for your future.

Adapt under pressure

Growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone. Stress is a signal — not a setback. Use it as motivation to adjust, pivot and learn.

The end of the semester isn’t about looking back. It’s about showing yourself how far you’ve come.

Showcase the confidence that you’ve built from interacting with your peers at NAIT and embrace the future you.

If you struggle with these key concepts don’t forget to visit the NAIT Learning Services guide for useful tips. Leave a comment below about your personal experience with tackling the alluring pull of nostalgia.