Exams can be some of the most stressful situations that students encounter. Here we offer six tips to help you with your studies in Gina’s College of Advanced Aesthetics and improve your exam performance.
Tip #1 – Get a Good Night’s Sleep
You may think that staying up all night to cram before an exam will help you get better grades, but you are much better off getting a good night’s sleep.
Sleep helps your brain retain and organize material, and it also helps your brain function a whole lot better. You are better off using that time before your exam to rest than spending those 4 or 5 hours trying to cram in the material that you won’t be able to remember.
Tip #2 – Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Like a good night’s sleep, eating a healthy breakfast will give you the energy and brainpower to do your best on your exam. Stay away from processed foods and sugar and stick to a diet that is high in protein and vitamins and look for foods high in Omega 3 fats.
Some other brain foods include:
- Bananas – bananas are high in potassium, and they also have fibre and protein that will give you the energy you need to get through the exam.
- Fatty fish – look for fish like salmon, trout or sardines that are high in Omega 3 fatty acids.
- Coffee – coffee can help with alertness and also sharpen your concentration – just what you need to focus on writing a big exam. Coffee also increases the serotonin in your brain and helps you feel better.
- Blueberries – Blueberries are also high in antioxidants, which increase connectivity in the brain and improve brain function. They also help with inflammation and taste really good.
- Eggs – not just a favourite breakfast food, eggs also help improve brain function. They are a good source of important brain nutrients like folate and vitamins B6 and B12.
Tip #3 – Be Prepared
This may seem obvious, but the best way to do well on an exam is to prepare for it. Don’t leave things until the last minute and expect you can cram all the material the night before. It takes time for our brains to absorb information and retain it, so start early.
Make a study plan and stick to it. If you work better with other people, organize a study group that will keep you focused and hold you accountable.
Tip #4 – Take Breaks
Sometimes the best thing you can do to help your brain prepare is to take a break. Go outside for a walk, go for a run or hit the gym. If you feel like you can’t spare the time, even a quick dance party in your room can help your focus.
Exercise helps you release tension, keep your focus and helps your memory. Another way to relax is to go for a massage at Em Clinic and Spa in Guelph. A break can help reduce your stress and let you come back to studying with renewed focus and energy.
Tip #5 – Use Practice Tests
The way you study can also have an impact on your exam performance. Rereading the same materials over and over again may not be the best way to remember the material. Using practice tests with your piano lessons in Vaughan is way more effective. So break out the flashcards or try to get your hands on some old exams.
Tip #6 – Get to Your Test site early
Our brains perform well when they are alert and engaged, but too much stress can cause you to lose focus. Being late for an exam will only increase your stress level. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your exam site. Pack your bag and supplies the night before and make sure you arrive with enough time to prepare yourself mentally for the test.
With these tips, you will be able to avoid stress and arrive at your exams prepared, alert, and focused.
Leave a Reply