The Secret Behind a Successful Exam
You have participated in class discussions and absorbed words of wisdom shared by your teachers and professors in class. Now it's up to the proof, all the time you put in the last few weeks will hopefully pay off. However, a lot of preparation is required before your first exam, so we have compiled a short list of tips and tricks that will help you survive your first exam period!
- Plan
Planning is important! To be able to keep track of all your exams and all the subjects you need to plan your studies carefully. Take the time to make a personal schedule with a clear description of what you will study and, above all, when. Allocate more time to particularly challenging subjects and be sure to schedule breaks to keep you motivated.
- Take Your Time
Taking breaks when studying is just as important as spending time in front of your books “ you need time to process all the new information. Make the most of your free time, so avoid spending too much time in front of the TV or on social media, focus on eating nutritiously, exercising and, above all, making sure you get enough sleep.
Sleep: You need to stay rested and in order to take in and process all the information. Don't go to bed late, especially the day before your exam.
Eat nutritiously: We tend to go to the pantry as soon as we get bored, or use candy as a reward when we've accomplished something. To stay away from sweets, make sure you eat a proper breakfast, lunch and dinner with two healthy snacks between meals instead.
Exercise: Research shows that there is a link between exercise and academic success. When you do cardio (running, swimming, cycling, etc.), your brain is filled with oxygen, making it better equipped to process new information.
- Manage Your Time Effectively
When it's time to take your exam, you need to make sure you use your time wisely. Being focused and organized is important. Spend the first few minutes reading through all the questions and planning the order in which you will answer them, so resist the temptation to start writing straight away. Start with the question you feel most comfortable with, after a good start it is much easier to move on to more challenging questions. Be sure to read all questions carefully before answering so as not to miss important points.
- Drink A Lot Of Water
Most of us know that drinking plenty of water is important for our physical performance, but did you know that it is just as important for your brain? Dehydration can cause headaches and fatigue; water helps increase your brain capacity and improve your memory. A smart trick is to make sure you bring your water bottle to the exam hall!
- Celebrate!
It's time to celebrate surviving your first exam period! You (hopefully) followed our tips, and above all you did your best and now you cannot influence the result. So be sure to enjoy your well-deserved freedom, call your friends, hang out with the family or go out dancing. If your exam results are worse than you expected, don't worry, life is good at giving us second chances, and you have every opportunity to do better next time.
