Relaxing before Exams
It’s difficult to avoid getting stressed when big exams are imminent. You have got to perform against the clock in those two or three hours in the exam room. Everybody is expecting you to do your best and achieve a good grade, but you can’t help wondering how it is going to be, whether you’ll be able to cope with the questions, or whether you’ll forget everything you’ve learnt as you open the paper. You won’t, of course. You will do yourself justice and gain the result you deserve. But you can do a few things about exam nerves and make sure you approach the ordeal confidently and calmly.
Only two things really matter. One is to know your stuff, which is a question of efficient and well organized revision. The other essential is not to panic! And panic can be averted if you approach the exams sensibly and carefully. Of course, organizing your revision is critical, but that is a separate issue. There are many other things to remember.
Pause and relax
When you are revising make sure you find the time to pause and relax. Hours of constant work backed up by coffee (or even beer) become unproductive. Stop for a while as soon as you feel that concentration is weakening. Don’t do anything dramatically different. Keep yourself partly in touch with what you are doing, that is to say, don’t go off and watch the television for a couple of hours. Then go back to your work. Don’t work until three in the morning. You need to sleep enough and regularly if your brain is to be fit for your revision work. Don’t change your usual sleeping pattern at all. Eat sensibly and nutritiously. Avoid high-fat foods, too much coffee and tea and loads of fizzy drinks. Without becoming a hermit or a masochist, avoid activities which completely destroy your focus. Acknowledge that the exams are your top priority and keep your mind clearly, but not obsessively, in touch with what you are working on.
Exercise
Physical activity is good for clearing the mind and helping your body to feel good. It will also help you to sleep well. Interrupt your desk work with half an hour’s fast walking, for example. On the day of the exam make sure you know the times and locations, and get to the exam room early. In this way you will avoid last-minute panics and you can try to relax as much as possible before the papers are brought round. Finally, try to think positively. You’ve succeeded before, you’ll do it again now. You have revised carefully and thoroughly and you’re really ready. It does work.
