The night before an exam is one of the most crucial night’s of a student's life, full of mixed emotions with ticking clocks. Most students sabotage their work by cramming and getting bad habits at the last-minute, leading to anxiety and psychological stress. It is not about learning new material; the secret of succeeding on test day is to use to the best of your capability the knowledge that you already possess.
This guide is a narrow down night before exam tips including Dos and the effective Don'ts that you need to adhere to during the night before your test. Through the switch of frantic review to strategic thinking, you will be able to effectively condense your memories, get rid of the stress that is unwarranted, and make sure that your brain is well rested, alert and ready to work with full capacity. Prepare, relax and above all, sleep.
Thing To Do Night Before Exam: The Success Checklist
Focused and Quick Review (The 20-Minute Rule)
It is the time to give your mind a quick boost and have confidence in yourself, for what you have learned since so long. Take a short, concentrated period (not more than 20-30 minutes) to go through only your final summary notes, flashcards, or lists of important concepts. This minimal stress exposure is useful in strengthening what is already in your brain. When you are asleep, your mind will attempt to front-load this strengthened information into long-term memory. When you can sense that anxiety is creeping in, then stop.
Pack and Prepare Your Exam Bag
Avoid last minute panic and keep the items organised a night before the exam. Gather all necessary stationery and keep them at one place:
- Spares (pens, of the right colour) and pencils.
- Calculator (check new battery)
- Student ID and exam timetable/details.
- Clear water bottle
- Any necessary special equipment (rulers, protractors, etc.).
- Lay out your clothes you are going to wear.
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Check Logistics and Set Multiple Alarms
The worst is to miss the exam or forget about it. Ensure that you possess the right time and date and location of test. Install at least two alarms in your phone and the other in your watch and ensure that they are as far away as possible so that you are forced to move your sleeping bed to turn them off. Make sure to be there at the exam venue 15-20 minutes before it.
Eat a Balanced, Nutritious Dinner
The brain is a high performance machine, which should be fed on good fuel. Prepare a healthy meal consisting of complex carbohydrates and low-protein (pasta, rice, chicken, fish with veggies, etc.) food. This takes the slow releasing energy but does not cause energy crash. You must eat early so that you get time to digest before going to bed.
Start Your Relaxation Ritual
About one hour before retiring to bed, switch to a relaxed state vigorously. Put away all study materials. Trying to read a light non-academic book, listening to calming instrumental music or doing hobby. This is to send a message to your brain to feel like your study has to be depression-stressed.
Prioritize a Full Night's Sleep
It is the most important thing that one can do to your grade. The restful brain is much more effective and can learn facts much faster, more competent at solving problems. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep. Were we to forget: A weary brain will forget more than a restorative brain will learn during the hour last.
What to Avoid Night Before Exam: The Self-Sabotage List
Following are the habits that can affect your overall performance and also lead to increased stress.
Cramming or Pulling an All-Nighter
Your brain is a high-performance engine and requires good fuel. Have a well-balanced diet with complex carbohydrates and lean protein (such as pasta, rice, chicken, or fish with vegetables). This gives slow releasing energy without resultant energy crash. Have dinner early enough so that you can digest it well before going to bed.
Trying to Learn New Topics or Concepts
Take an active effort to go into a calm state about an hour before your bedtime. Put away all study materials. Attempt a non-academic, light-hearted book, playing soothing, instrumental music or a hobby. The idea is to inform your brain that it is time to put an end to the stress of the study.
Excessive Screen Time and Social Media
This is the best thing that you can do to your grade. Having a brain that is well rested works much more efficiently, remembers facts much quicker and is more skillful in solving problems. Try to get a proper sleep for at least 7-9 hours to give your body proper rest. A fatigued brain will remember less than a restful brain will learn during the last hour.
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Heavy Caffeine, Energy Drinks, or Alcohol
The use of energy drinks and caffeine will disrupt your deep sleep stages when solidifying memories. Alcohol will make you feel sleepy but the nature of sleep will be ruined and you will be weary and psychologically lifeless on the next day.Stop stimulants by middle afternoon.
Eating Strange or Heavy Foods
Do not think about that new spicy delivery or that giant and greasy meal. Something new or heavy in your digestion system, whether it is a new food or heavy burden, increases the likelihood of getting into an up-all-night condition or having indigestion or heartburn, this might turn out to be a distraction during the test.
Comparing Your Prep to Others
Do not think about that new spicy delivery or that giant and greasy meal. Something new or heavy in your digestion system, whether it is a new food or heavy burden, increases the likelihood of getting into an up-all-night condition or having indigestion or heartburn, this might turn out to be a distraction during the test.
FAQs
1. Is it good to drink coffee or an energy drink to stay awake late before an exam?
No, Caffeine interferes with the deep sleep that you need to consolidate memory, resulting in you being less productive and anxious the following day.
2. What is the most important thing to do the night before my exam?
Getting a good 7 to 9 sleep is the most important thing among all, a brain that is well rested is much better than an overworked one.
