Some people believe that anxiety is what keeps a person from thinking clearly and focusing, while others think that anxiety is what makes a person active, alert, and with high concentration while preparing for the exam and studying, so it cannot be an obstacle to learning.
We frequently hear about students who, despite intensive study, could not recall what was learned during the exam. Physical symptoms that may result in this include feeling hot or cold, hands sweating, headaches, stomach problems, and breathing problems during the exam.
Lack of preparation during the school year or in the weeks leading up to the exam, which is estimated to be several weeks, is the cause of the anxiety related to exam time. We can prepare well for the exam period to be normal in the student's life by keeping in mind a few key points, which will help us reduce stress and anxiety.
Advice for getting ready and studying for the exam
One of the most crucial times for the student to be in good health—physically and mentally—is during the exam period and the time leading up to it. The more their health is maintained, the simpler it will be for them to get through this time. So, here is the most crucial preparation and study advice for the test:
1. Set up a study area
While we often hear about people who studied in less-than-ideal circumstances and succeeded, not everyone has this talent. One of the things that motivates people to study is the environment in which they do so. If you have enough room, you can set up a study corner with a cozy table and chair and good lighting since dim lighting frequently makes people tired.
The study area should ideally be free from any distractions, such as television, and all windows on the computer that are not being used for the study should be closed. The Internet should also be closed. It is advised that all books and a sufficient amount of paper and pens be placed so that you do not need anything during your studies and have to leave the study and distract your mind.
2. Make a study schedule
The schedule makes studying easier and eliminates confusion when deciding which subject to study that day. To save time, you should also make a schedule that specifies the time to study each subject by the deadline for submitting the exam.
Some students might get bored if they study the same subject all day. The morning period, when your brain is relaxed and fresh, is thought to be the best time for studying, so it is preferable to study the subjects that are the most challenging for you in the morning. You can study one subject in the morning, another in the afternoon, and so on with balance.
3. Take breaks
While some students believe that success and excellence necessitate constant study, taking breaks between review sessions is important for the mind to regain activity. You can go out to the balcony and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.
Additionally, getting some fresh air helps you feel more energized and vital and study more intently. It is necessary to decide when meals should be eaten. It is unnecessary to eat while studying, so it is preferable to eat and enjoy your meal elsewhere to prevent stress and anxiety from rising.
4. Eat only healthy foods
In order for the body to function properly each day, it typically requires a certain amount of energy. Food consumption should receive more consideration while studying for exams so that the brain can focus well.
Numerous studies have demonstrated the value of eating breakfast for students because it improves memory and concentration skills. Additionally, you can start your day with foods high in carbohydrates, providing sufficient energy throughout the day. We're not talking about foods high in sugars that make you gain weight; we're talking about the natural sugars found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts.
Eating more protein each day, such as through the consumption of milk and eggs, is also advised. Other meals should ideally be filled with energizing and nutrient-dense foods, such as fish high in omega-3 fats. To enhance memory and mood while studying, you can reach snacks like walnuts, chocolate, and cranberries, which are high in antioxidants and anthocyanins.
5. Get enough sleep
Lack of sleep is a common issue among students, and it has a number of detrimental effects, including reduced focus and memory and increased stress. Numerous studies have revealed that, despite getting enough sleep by staying up late the following day, students who go to bed early perform better on average on tests than those who do so.
The key is to get enough sleep but also to get to bed early. To do this, avoid drinking stimulants like coffee in the evening; instead, switch to a beverage that promotes relaxation and gets rid of insomnia, like chamomile tea. You should also try to regulate your sleep patterns throughout the school year so that you don't struggle to get to sleep during the time leading up to exams.
6. Throughout the semester, try to compile as many questions from prior exams as you can
Practise answering exam questions from previous years. You can better understand how to study each subject by becoming familiar with the types of questions in each subject and understanding their nature.
Additionally, knowing how long it will take to complete each question allows you to assess whether you need to practise more to complete the exam questions within the allotted time.
7. Schedule study sessions with friends
After finishing the study of each subject, arrange a session with friends to share information, ask questions, and get clarification on any concepts you are unsure of. Your friends can research them more quickly than you can. Students can easily become influenced by their peers, so these sessions will benefit your exam preparation.
8. Mix up your study techniques
If you spend much time studying with the book in front of you and in the same position, you might get bored. Therefore, mixing up your study techniques, such as creating a training worksheet that allows you to assess your progress is preferable.
You can also use the notes you took throughout the semester to create a paper to help you understand some complex or difficult concepts. You can also use summaries and charts to make studying easier, but be careful not to rely solely on them since they only summarize the material and leave out many important details.
9. Play sports
Sports activities assist students in enhancing their cognitive abilities, such as analysis, visualization, perception, understanding, attention, and thinking, and overcoming boredom brought on by extended study sessions.
Sport can therefore help increase educational achievement and protect the body from diseases brought on by inactivity and stagnation. You can engage in various sports activities, such as walking for 30 minutes a day followed by some exercise, or you can schedule an hour each day to go to the gym, where the overall environment encourages you to work out without getting bored.
10. Take in some music
The student can relieve stress and a bad mood by listening to soothing music, which helps with concentration.
Despite these advantages, some students find studying while listening to music challenging. Since this rule is not absolute, you can use it to determine whether or not music benefits you.
11. Put the phone down
Even though the student occasionally needs the phone while studying to look something up, the phone can be a dangerous distraction because of chat applications and social networking sites that the student thinks they will only glance at, which results in hours passing without them realizing it, which wastes time.
According to some studies, simply having a cell phone in front of you while you're studying—without touching it—is enough to divert your attention and make it harder to concentrate.
In Conclusion
For all students, studying and getting ready for exams is one of the most stressful times. Therefore, it's important to adhere to advice and techniques that reduce stress at this time.
Many suggestions can help with this, but the most crucial one is to set up a special study area with everything you need and away from distractions. Next, create a study schedule that includes study times and days for each subject according to the amount of time you need while also scheduling rest periods because, contrary to popular belief, success is not correlated with nonstop study.
A person needs rest to regain their energy, as well as a healthy diet full of natural carbohydrates, proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, students need to go to bed early and for a long enough period of time to ensure adequate concentration.
We can use various strategies in the study to improve comprehension, including watching summaries, setting up study sessions, and exchanging knowledge with friends. You can see the questions from earlier years. Avoid using a phone while implementing these suggestions because it wastes the student's time.
Add comment