Every student experiences exam stress during the preparation days. To combat this exam strain, you need to first understand why you are feeling so tensed. Some common reasons for this anxiety include low motivation levels, lack of planning and peer pressure. All students study very hard to complete the humongous syllabus. But in this process, it is very important to prepare yourself mentally and physically, and stay sharp during exam preparations to give your best.
How to stay sharp during exam preparations
When it comes to your exams, understand what your body requires to perform well. You need to have a proper diet along with the right mental attitude and sleep. These simple things make a great difference in your alertness and the way you absorb information. If you fail to do so, you’ve created a perfect recipe for disaster, mediocre grades, and stress.
Here are 10 simple tips to stay sharp during exam preparations.
1. Get a good night’s sleep
Make sure you get an average sleep of 8 hours per night. You should not stay awake all night to study because you might feel tired on the day of the exam. Research says if you stay awake for 21 hours at a stretch, then you are in a bad state of mind regarding your ability to concentrate, memorize and recall information.
2. Meditation
Meditation is an effective method to relax your mind. After you wake up, sit silently for 15 minutes and meditate. It will increase your mental strength and concentration. Repeat the same process before you go to bed.
3. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day
During exams, students often stop exercising and use this time to study. Trust me; that’s a big mistake. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. It enhances the blood flow to your brain, which can help you to think more clearly.
4. Drink plenty of water
The reason behind feeling lethargic and having a hazy memory of what you studied yesterday is often dehydration. Make sure you drink plenty of water to stay active.
5. Nutritious breakfast
Studies have found that students who skip breakfast experience a 20-40% reduction in thinking skills i.e. concentration, memory, and alertness. You should eat a low GI breakfast, which has many health benefits.
Here are some healthy breakfast ideas:
• Raw muesli or porridge with nuts and chopped fruit
• A fruit smoothy
• Wholegrain toast with healthy toppings
• An omelet made with added vegetables
6. Listen to music
Music elevates your mood and encourages you to study more sincerely. It also creates a positive state of mind and makes you feel happy about the task at hand.
7. Take a quick walk
It is scientifically proven that physical activities like taking a walk can boost your memory. Walking indeed helps you focus better and stay sharp during exam preparations.
8. Play with puppies
Many universities have ‘puppy rooms’ where students can relieve their stress. Pets have also been found to help you focus while studying and stimulate the feel-good hormones.
9. Improving memory
Our brain absorbs knowledge in the form of images, colors, music, and graphs. Visually appealing information is always more pleasant to read and understand. So, you need to convert your study prep into these mediums and sharpen your memory.
10. Attempt sample question papers
Before the final exams, you need to attempt sample question papers to learn how to manage your time while writing and build your confidence.
If you follow these tips, you would definitely learn to be perfect in exam preparation. At the same time, effective revision is also very essential for your overall performance.
All the best 🙂
