It is imperative to work hard to take-in large amount of subject knowledge or information for an exam, but if you don’t prepare mentally and physically for the exam, all the hard work is a mere waste.
When you are about to take a shot at some major exams, you really have to technically work like a top class athlete. You need to eat right, have the right mental attitude and provide adequate amount of rest for the body.
These simple things can make a sea of change in terms of mental clarity and performance.
You may overlook these as very simple things or this is common sense, but common sense isn’t so common and neglecting these simple things leads to complex issues.
Most of us, when preparing for any final exam consume very less water, stay deprived of sleep and consume fatty convenient foods. Many have failed to understand that these practices are not going help in anyway, but rather turn into a disaster.
Here are some tips for taking exams:
Sleep well:
Many studies have proved that sitting over a long a long period of time studying actually doesn’t do any benefit; instead deteriorates even the optimum functioning level of the brain.
Studies have found that if you stay awake for 21 hours straight, your mental ability to concentrate memorize and recall information deteriorates.
Though you may have a good feel that you have sat overnight with the book, studying some lessons, but you may not be able to write well on the actual day of exam.
Exercise:
During exam time too, it is imperative to continue on with fitness schedules like walking, mild jogging, swimming and dancing, as it will improve circulation, deviate from lethargy and stress. It could be either 10 minutes of walking, jogging, swimming, dancing, etc. Avoid high intensity training during examinations.
Often students stop exercising when it comes exam time because they begin to think that they don’t have enough time and think that they must spend very moment studying. It is a big mistake.
Exercise helps us study more effectively for various reasons. Exercise helps to relieve stress and anxiety. Secondly, it gets blood flowing to your brain (supplying oxygen, antioxidant and glucose) which can help you to think more clearly.
Always, think of daily exercise as an investment in your final marks.
Drink plenty of water:
Eat nutritious breakfast:
Check out for Low or Moderate GI foods for sustained functioning throughout the day.
Avoid caffeine:
It’s also a diuretic, so it makes you urinate, which means you lose water, become thirsty and want to drink more soft drink.
Try to consider gradually replacing your caffeinated beverages with good old, simple water? If you must drink something sweet, try drinking low GI apple juice with no additional sugar.
Go back straight home after the exam:
Deep breathing works when you get stuck:
Dealing with writer’s cramp and stiff elbow:
First of all you need identify the root cause of the problem.
If muscle is tight, stretch your fingers to loosen. Try an alternate gripping, if gripping is the problem. If it is due to lack salt and fluid, drink and keep drinking adequate amount of fluids. Some do have very small fingers, so use a pen that is this and comfortable. Loosen your grip, if you find that your grip is too tight.
The reality is, even with a good pen, your elbow will start to hurt at some point if you’re taking a 3 hour exam. When it does hurt, have a rest for a few seconds and stretch it out on your desk.