25 May 2017

Exams are probably going to be one of the worst parts of your educational experience. The sad truth is, they’re kinda impossible to avoid and chances are, you’re going to be at least a little bit nervous about how you go (especially if you’re in your final years of high school). Don’t freak out yet–it’s possible to make the whole experience a little bit easier, and making a pre exam game plan can help you get through the couple of hours of hand cramps and mind blanks without dying.

1. Catch some zzz’s

The temptation is real to try and cram the night before the exam (and you probably will do this). But, if you can, make sure you bank some sleep (we’re talking at least six hours here, if not more). We know everyone is telling you this, but a solid rest before your exam is going to be so much better for your final result than a random definition you memorised at 3am that’s worth one mark. If the sheer amount of studying you need to do is keeping you awake, read this for tips on pulling an all nighter and try and break up the cramming with power naps.

2. Don’t go in on an empty stomach

If you have an early morning exam, chances are the last thing you’ll want to do is eat breakfast. You stomach might be churning with nerves and the thought of trying to swallow any food makes you want to throw up. But it’s worth forcing something down, even if it’s just a museli bar five minutes before you go in so you’re not running on empty. If nothing else, eat before your exam so you’re not that guy whose stomach is rumbling the entire exam while everyone else is silent. This person isn’t as bad as the constant cougher, or the one who is asking for extra paper every two seconds (when you’re struggling to fill up the lines provided) but it’s pretty damn close.

3. Avoid freaking out

Standing outside the exam doors, you’ll notice huddles of people sharing their collective pain and freaking out about how little they’ve studied (you might also notice the ones who freak out the most are the ones who have actually been studying for weeks). A shared hysteria is contagious and you don’t need to feel any more nervous before you head in. Try and avoid the worst of it, even if you just chuck in your headphones and ignore everyone until the doors open.