Exams can be very stressful. They can be the most stressful times we encounter as students. Having to be organized as well as efficient and calm… It’s all so hard. Nevertheless, after every exam, you learn from your mistakes, improve and are therefore prepared for the next ones.
Normally, the best way to ace an exam is to obviously study very hard for it. But is studying all you need? The answer is no. You have to work on many other things in order to pass an exam.
Here are some of the mistakes a lot of students tend to make and what you can do to learn from them.
Stress: Let’s put it this way. Stress is your worse enemy, your worst nightmare. You can study all you want, but if you are stressed, you won’t be able to think clearly during the exam.
You should stay positive, stay focused, remain calm and do your best. If you are constantly overthinking and being negative, you start to creating problems for yourself that weren’t even there. And for what? Would all this stressing even help? However, if you remain positive, you build up confidence which you will need for the exams.
Eat properly: Just because you have exams does not mean you shouldn’t take good care of yourself.
You should eat healthy food to provide you with the energy you need. You should also drink a lot of water to stay hydrated and most importantly… Do not skip a meal simply because you need the “extra time to study“. That is wrong and it never helps. Eat first, then get back to studying. Which brings me to my next points.
Do not study All the time… Take small breaks and rest: Believe it or not, if you study non stop, all the time… You will forget everything! You will blank out during the exam, and you will get so confused!
You have to take it easy, take breaks of 10 or 15 minutes at least every hour or two. Your brain is not “a computer” that you can just simply “charge its battery” with Red Bull and coffee. It needs to rest.
Sleep properly: Part of resting is obviously by sleeping. Many students think…
“Oh, if I don’t sleep tonight, I will get 7 more hours of studying, which is better, and I can simply sleep right after my exam.”
I can assure you, there is not one student who didn’t regret doing that! It is horrible. Not sleeping in order to study does NOT help! Reason is…
Everything you have studied at night, you won’t remember much of it in the morning, because your brain is pretty much asleep. Your eyes may be open, but your brain won’t be able to hold on to all the information you are trying to study. Its too tired, it needs to rest.
Oh, and there is a chance that you might end up sleeping during the exam! You never know… So do not risk it by pulling an all-nighter. Just go sleep!
By the way… There’s a big difference between studying until 5am and waking up to study at 5am. If you are the type of student who stays up all night to study. I dare you to try the other way round and see for yourself which is better.
Need Help? ASK for it: Don’t ever hesitate to ask for help when needed. Almost every professors at the University gives you their office times for you to come in and ask them questions on their subject. So make sure to go if you have any doubts. You can also go to the Library where you will find many books to study from which can be very useful!
Keep in mind… You cannot leave all your studying until the very last week before exams. The best thing you can do is to study way before and revise right up till the exams. It just makes everything way more easier and assures you a high mark. Other than that, as long as you do your best, you will be fine.
My utmost advice to you…
Right before any exam, think to yourself: “No worries. I got this. I can do it! Lets ACE this exam!!” and I am pretty sure you will!
Best of Luck!
